Jessica-

It’s so sad to be leaving you so soon after meeting you. Who knew that day when I sat on James’ lap that I’d be dating you? I didn’t know until the day before I asked you to go see Big Fish, although I was definitely interested even then. You are a far different person than I believed you to be on the day that I finally got your name ingrained into my head. You held several surprises for me, and will likely continue to for as long as I know you. In the time that I have known you, you have managed to evoke almost every emotion I have felt in my life. It’s quite possible that I am capable of no other emotions. I have written it several times and I will write it again, my one Prom experience could not have been better. I’m sure I will remember it as long as I live, but if I don’t, remember it for me, for it was then you revealed your greatest of surprises. To you I leave The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene, and one other thing if you’ll have it. If you like the former, pass it on, and if you don’t, return it. If you like the latter, give it right back, and we’ll both pass on regardless. Above all else, be honest with yourself. I don’t think you are capable of dishonesty, but you seem to have a bit of trouble expressing yourself verbally at times, and what I wish for you to gain from your remaining years in high school is this ability. I find it ironic, though, that you have talked the whole night through on the phone, and yet cannot carry a conversation with me on occasion. Perhaps you do not feel comfortable talking to me? If this is the case, then my wish is that you learn to feel comfortable around anyone and everyone. It’s not a necessary talent, but it can be helpful at times. You have never shown to me any aspects of a typical teenage girl, and that is the least surprise of all. I knew from the day I met you, you were special. I hope for your happiness, and I will see you around.

Vicki-If I had been informed that all of the seniors were writing letters to one another in advance, yours would have been the only one I would have written. However, I had been planning for a while to write you into my senior will, going over what I would write in my head, so I hope you find this an acceptable replacement.

I believe you came around my sophomore and I’m pretty sure I liked you instantly. [Wrong, it was junior year, but it seems longer!] I didn’t know you very well though, because I thought you would pretty much be like you are now, judging by the impression you gave. I was pretty much in love with you for a month or so that year, or maybe even into my 11th grade year [or rather, into second semester], but I heard from you and did with you some things I never would have expected. It was fun enough that I realized I best keep you around as a friend, and a good one, so that wore off. Thank you for introducing me to Daniel Quinn in that time, as it has changed my mind.

You have been a great friend this year most of all. I best remember sitting on your front stoop and talking about the future, yours and the world’s in general. Thank you for enduring whatever rude or unfeeling things I had to say. If it wasn’t who I am, I wouldn’t offend you in any way. You have been and still are perhaps the only friend who’s constancy I haven’t worried about (at least not since that night I started writing On Highway 42, but inspiration is always hell.) I’m glad that we will still have the opportunity to hang out next year, and I hope you remain a good friend for years. . .and years. . .to come.

[some parenthetical remarks added to correct factual errors]

Suzan-I've said, I'm sure you've noticed, a lot of nice things about you in the past. To you, I bet, and upon reflection, to me as well, although delivered with the best of intentions, they were almost all less than sincere. Sometimes I wonder if you get the appreciation you deserve for all the things you do, as these things are innumerable. It is my sincere wish that you get what you honestly want, and this is, I believe, what you want. Therefore, as I pass into college, I leave you with nothing of monetary value—you don't need or want that—but rather memories (free) and a recommendation (inexpensive). If you honestly believe yourself to be friendless, I recommend you read "How to WIn Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It's as relevant and contains as many truths today as it did 70 years ago. It's not the end-all-be-all guide, but it does contain this gem:

"Why talk about what we want? That is childish. Absured [sic]. Of course, you are interested in what you want. You are eternally interested in it. But no else is. The rest of us are just like you: we are interested in what we want."

Occasionally, there are two people interested in the same thing, though, and this is the case with me and you. I want exactly what you want: your happiness. I leave you with this wish, this desire, that only you may fulfill.

P.S. Just because the way I may have said certain things was insincere, it does not mean that you aren't sexy, funny, interesting, a mean fiddle player, and easily eligible to attend any college of your choice, etc. It only means I was a bit over-eager to state such truths.

Hilary-I have been called, and have considered myself a good listener. As a result of believing myself to be one of such a rare number of people, I've often concerned myself with searching for a person who is a good talker. I thought I found that in you, but then I reconsidered. I realized that the reason I enjoyed talking to you so much is because you are a better listener than me. In my chat log with you, my screen name occurs 5,160 times, and yours occurs 6,376 in 187 conversations. This would make it seem as though you say so much more than me, but as I scan the log I find that nine messages out of ten are a single word long (often followed by a great number of exclamation marks!) I take these single word replies to be the same as a nod or an "mmhmm" to indicate you are paying attention. Well, thank you for all that paying attention. I never knew it could mean so much to me. You are of the few who can make me laugh when I least expect it.

There are many things I could give you. . .grapes, bananas, monkeys, robert plants, shrooms, knowledge of where the other end of the treasure map went. . .but having received so much from you, I can only give you compliments to your talent by asking for something more from you. Yea, I guess you spoiled me. Well, all I want is to someday own an original Hilary Prichard. I'm by no means a connoisseur of fine art in general, but I do know what I like, and I know anything of yours that is fine will mean that much more to me for having your autograph on it. I can tell you hate to part with your work, but I bet if you made something special for someone else, you would be able to do it.

I'm probably asking for far too much, though, so my ultimate wish is essentially the same as Cade's: Don't change. I don't mean always be the exact same person you are today, but rather, always be whatever it is that is distinctly you, however hard that is to qualify. Keep right on building up those callouses, or hugging the trees in your yard, and think of the distant future when perhaps we will, at ages 59 and 60, meet on the AT and I will see that you have bright purple hair to compliment your wrinkles of wisdom. Sure, see me then, and we'll talk.

Brian-To you I leave the math team. If I had it in my power I would elect you president all by myself. Then again, if I could really bench three El Caminos, I would do that, too. I'll surely invite you over sometime next year so you can strip outside my window. Should I neglect to mention it, Suzan shall want to meet you someday, being the "sexy" half-Jew that you are, so just be ready for anything. I'll see you again soon.