Page 99 of Remember Me

We hit up all the character greetings, taking photos with Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, and Daisy. We avoided the princesses—I get a little freaked out when I can see their faces—and we finish off with a selfie in front of the big wheel. What started out as a shitty day has turned into one of the best.

“What does everyone want for dinner?” I ask as we walk along Main Street to find a prime spot for the fireworks.

“I’m happy to grab take out back at the villa, I am dead on my feet,” Kayla says next to me, yawning.

“Suits me,” Alyssa says, taking selfies for her Instagram page. The life of an influencer.

We’re perched up against a railing as the fireworks start and, as usual, they’re jaw-dropping, full of color. I am so beyond grateful to my friends for bringing me here.

Turning around, I take a photo of myself with the fireworks in the background and send it to Jake.

Charlotte - *photo*

Jake - Spectacular

Jake - And I’m not talking about the fireworks

Charlotte - *heart emoji*

Charlotte - I miss you

Jake - I miss you more

Jake - I’ll be home soon

Charlotte - Can’t wait

Chapter 66

Charlotte

After a magical few days at Disney, I’m home waiting for Jake to come back from his away series.

Bella’s curled up on the sofa next to me in a new sweater Hannah made her—this one is pink with white stars on it. It’s super cute and she looks so sweet in it.

I’ve got the box of journals and letters Jake grabbed from my parents’ house. As he’s not here, I felt like it was a good time to go through them. I know they won’t cover our adult years, those are somewhere in the attic, but I can get a sense of what our friendship used to be like.

Opening the first journal, I start to read.

April 16th 2014

It’s my 16th birthday and I went on my first ever date. If you can even call it that. Troy from the Lacrosse team asked me out and I said yes. Why, I don’t know. He took me to Burger King! I’m vegetarian!! When he dropped me home, he tried to kiss me, and I swerved. His breath smelt like Cheetos and bad decisions.

I’m sure Jake will have a good laugh when he reads about it in my letter. If he tried to kiss me, I don’t think I would have swerved…

August 29th 2014

This day will stay with me forever. Receiving that letter from Jake telling me his dad had passed away made my heart break for him and his family. I knew his dad was terminally ill, but this was quick and I don’t think Jake had fully come to terms with it. I wish I could be there for him and offer him my shoulder. Instead, I decided to record a song at school on the piano in the music room and send it to him…

Swiping at my eyes, I pick up the next one, and then the next.

February 14th 2016

Another valentine's alone. Nearly 18 and still never been kissed. I received a beautiful bouquet of pink dahlias from Jake though. It didn't say his name, but I’d recognize that chicken scratch anywhere. I bet he has a date lined up for tonight. Is it wrong I wish it was me…

I keep reading, unable to put them down. There are more letters than journals, as I didn’t start doing that until I got my first one at sixteen.

I find the first letter Jake ever sent to me.