The Weight of a Letter
Thirteen-year-old Raven harbors a secret crush on Nicholas, her older brother Elliot's best friend. With Nicholas soon leaving for military training, Raven sees her last chance to confess her feelings, but her innocent letter sets off a chain of events that challenges her perception of love and the complex realities of the adult world around her. Will she find the strength to navigate her first heartbreak?
The scent of mango juice and nervous energy hangs in the air. Thirteen-year-old Raven, heart pounding, tiptoes across the living room. Her best friend, Darrin, watches from the kitchen door, offering silent encouragement. Raven holds a bright red envelope – a letter meant for Nicholas, her brother Elliot's best friend, who is leaving the village soon for military training. This is her last chance to tell him how she feels. Her hand trembles as she reaches for his backpack.
