Dear Austin...

Mom picked me up from school within the next few minutes. We listened to the hum of the tires on pavement until we exchanged information about our days. The conversation came to an abrupt halt as soon as we pulled into the driveway and parked. I smiled as my little sister, Lily-Pearl, hopped out of the front door.

"Did the mail come today?" I asked my mother anxiously. It was the fifth day in a row that the question was asked. With an eye roll and a smile, she nodded.

"Don't expect much." She told me for the fifth time. The mail arrived almost everyday, but not one letter had my name adorned on the front.

"I won't, don't worry." I affirmed for her. Popping out of the car, my little sister came up to me with a hug. She was younger than I, and very shy. She gripped my waist in a tight embrace as I hugged her back. Her small hand was clutched around something. I knelt down to her eye level.

"Hi Rae." She softly smiled with the gentle words. I tussled her hair as she held out an envelope for me.

"Did I get an letter today?" I asked her. She nodded once again and walked back inside. Standing up, I refused to be disappointed and didn't look at the envelope. It was probably an ad that had my name on it by mistake.

Setting down my backpack on its rack, I went to the couch to find my younger sister following me closely behind. Lily-Pearl came up to my side as I sat down. She took the envelope to look at the sender before handing it back.

"Mice-man." She mumbled. I flipped the cream paper over to stare at the envelope. Sure enough, the name AUSTIN CARLILE was printed in big, bold letter on the front of the envelope. Underneath it had the band name.

"Rae, is that the screaming music you listen to?" She asked cautiously. I nodded, no words coming to reality. I couldn't believe it. I was dreaming, wasn't I? Cautiously, I tore open the seal and pulled out the new letter with shaky hands. The first thing I noticed was about five different Squidgy characters around the border of the letter paper. I began to read.

Dear Raelyn,
I'd like to first like to thank you for writing your letter to us. We always appreciate hearing from fans. Also, thanks for the pocket sized Squidgy! He now lives very happily in my wallet and travels with me to practice sessions and will be with me on Warped Tour!

I'm truly sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my mother from heart issues from a rare genetic disorder. She passed away when I was seventeen. I remember when I felt like I had no one around me who understood or cared. Spend as much time with your mom as you can, and remember that she loves you a lot. Always appreciate your mom because being a mother is the hardest job in the world!

I want you to know that I understand what it's like and I care for you. Please, feel free to send more letters because I love hearing from you! Let me know how your mother is doing and give her my best!

Oh, Squidgy says hi!!!

SQUIDGY, SQUIDGY, SQUIDGY, FALALALALA! SQUIDGY, SQUIDGY SQUIDGY, WE LOVE YOU SOOOOOO!

Sincerely,
Austin Carlile


Hi, I hijacked this letter! I hope your mother gets better and I sure hope I can meet you at Warped Tour in Denver!
~~~~~ALAN ASHBY~~~~~A.K.A GINGER PRINCESS~~~~~


At the very bottom where Alan had hijacked the letter so he could write was picture of a cute cat in a beanie. I couldn't help but cover my mouth with one hand. Happy tears dotted the corners of my eyes. My brain just couldn't process that they had written back. Sara WAS right.

"Who's Alan and Austin?" Lily-Pearl asked. Taking her small hand in mine, I led her over to the computer. She leaned against the polish wood desk to stare at the monitor while I brought up pictures of both. The first person I showed was Austin.

"LP, i'll show you." I called her by her nickname. At the call, her eyes twinkled a icy blue, similar to my own.

"He's kinda scary." She murmured as she ducked her head into my shoulder. Even though I brought up a picture of him smiling kindly, the tattoos must have frightened her a slight bit.

"The ginger princess is this one." I closed the tab and brought up a picture of the guitarist. She grinned at that.

"He's not so scary." She grinned. I still clutched the letter. Taking the envelope and paper, I left my sister staring at picture of Alan Ashby. My feet quietly padded across the floor until I found my mom's room. Knocking on the closed door, she let me in.

"Mom...look..." I could barely manage out a whisper. She took the letter from my hands and just read the sender's name before handing it back. Her eyes were saturated in astonishment.

"Amazing." She muttered. We both broke into grins.

"He told me to write back. Both Austin and Alan hope you're feeling better." I told her. She broke out into a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

"Well you better write back!" She encouraged. I nodded and rushed off into my room. Scrambling over junk on my desk and around fish tanks, I tapped up the letter to my wall, just a reminder that Austin cared.

Immediantly, I drew out a piece of paper and pen.

Notes