English Original
Elizabeth and I are 18 now, and about to graduate. I think about our elementary-school friendship, but some memories have blurred. What happened that day in fifth grade when Beth suddenly stopped speaking to me? Does she know that I've been thinking about her for seven years? If only we could go back and discover what ended our relationship.
I have to speak with Beth. I see her sometimes; school is "fine." It's not the same. It never will be. Rumor has it she's Liz now. What happened to Beth?
I can't call her. Should I write? What if she doesn't answer? How will I know what she's thinking?
Yes, I'll write her a letter. These things are easier to express in writing. "Dear Be-", no, "Dear Li-", no, "Dear Elizabeth," I begin. The words flow freely as seven-year-old memories are reborn. I ask her all the questions left unanswered in my mind and pray she will answer. I seal my thoughts in the perfect white envelope and imagine Beth peering into her mailbox. Will she know why I'm writing? Maybe she once thought of writing the same letter.
As the mailman takes my envelope, I wonder if I've made the right decision. Do I have the right to force myself into Beth's life again? Am I simply part of the past? I have taken the first step. Beth has control of the situation now.
One day has passed. Are my words lying on the bottom of the post office floor?
Two days are gone. I'm lost in thought and don't even hear the phone ring.
"Hello? It's Elizabeth."
中文翻译
伊丽莎白和我现在18岁了，即将毕业。我想起我们小学时的友谊，但有些记忆已经模糊。五年级那天到底发生了什么，贝丝为何突然不再和我说话？她知道七年来我一直在想她吗？要是我们能回到过去，找出是什么结束了我们的关系就好了。
我必须和贝丝谈谈。我有时会见到她；学校生活“还好”。但一切都不一样了，也永远不会一样了。有传言说她现在叫莉兹了。贝丝到底经历了什么？
我不能打电话给她。我应该写信吗？如果她不回信怎么办？我怎么知道她在想什么？
是的，我要给她写一封信。这些事情用文字表达更容易。“亲爱的贝——”，不，“亲爱的莉——”，不，“亲爱的伊丽莎白，”我这样开头。随着七年前的记忆复苏，文字自然地流淌出来。我问了她所有那些在我心中悬而未决的问题，祈祷她会回答。我将思绪封进一个完美的白色信封，想象着贝丝向她的邮箱里张望。她会知道我为什么写信吗？也许她也曾想过写一封同样的信。
当邮递员拿走我的信封时，我怀疑自己是否做了正确的决定。我有权利再次闯入贝丝的生活吗？我是否只是过去的一部分？我已经迈出了第一步。现在，局面由贝丝掌控。
一天过去了。我的信是不是躺在邮局的地板上？
两天过去了。我沉浸在思绪中，甚至没听到电话铃声。
“喂？我是伊丽莎白。”