The Love Letter in the Frame Chapter 1

Years after graduation, my high school desk-mate and secret crush had become a massive superstar.

When we crossed paths at our class reunion, his expression was icy.

"And you are?"

Everyone thought Perry Wright had forgotten me.

That was until the news of my accidental death traveled back. While my best friend was packing up my belongings, she accidentally discovered a love letter Perry had written to me years ago, hidden inside a picture frame.

[June, loving you in secret is too bitter. I don’t want to like you anymore.]

But further down, there was a line of small text:

[Just kidding. I lied.]

That same night, the news of Perry committing suicide made global headlines.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the class reunion.

I looked at the indifferent Perry sitting across from me, tentatively pulled out my phone, and sent him a text.

The very next second, his phone blasted a unique, dedicated ringtone.

Perry: "..."

* * *

I died on a snowy day.

I went out to the mountains looking for inspiration, got lost, got trapped, and died of hypothermia.

It was a very undignified way to go.

My best friend, Zoe, rushed over the moment she got the news. When she identified my body, she was crying so hard she could barely breathe.

"June! How could you have the heart to leave me like this?"

"Even if Perry doesn't remember you, you still have me!"

My soul was floating in mid-air, and hearing this made me cringe so hard my phantom toes curled.

If I weren’t already stone-cold dead, I would have rushed over to cover her mouth.

The police had already ruled it an accident. Why did she have to make it sound like I offed myself over a broken heart?

Can’t a girl leave a little dignity behind?

But clearly, Zoe didn’t think so.

For some reason, she was convinced my death had something to do with Perry. She whipped out her phone and dialed his number.

It rang for a long time before he picked up.

"Hello?" A raspy male voice came through, sounding like he’d just been woken up. "Zoe? What is it? I just pulled an all-nighter filming..."

"Perry," Zoe interrupted him, her voice thick with grief. "June is dead."

Silence stretched on the other end of the line.

Even as a ghost, I felt a tiny spark of hope.

How would Perry react knowing I was dead?

Would he be sad?

Or would he think it was just the passing of someone insignificant?

After all, at the reunion a few days ago, he had been so cold.

When our classmates teased us, he simply asked in a chilly voice, "And you are?"

The moment those words left his lips, the air in the room froze.

Meeting his indifferent gaze, the courage I had spent hours building up instantly evaporated.

I could only stammer, "No... nothing," and lower my head, terrified to look up again.

Actually... I couldn't blame him.

He was a top-tier celebrity now. It had been six years since graduation.

It was a good thing he didn't remember me.

Otherwise, I would always feel like I owed him an apology.

"Perry, did you hear me?" Zoe cried into the phone when he didn't respond. "I said June is dead! She's gone!"

Thud.

A heavy sound came from the other side, like something dropping to the floor.

Perry seemed to be gritting his teeth, his voice trembling. "...I don't believe you."

The next second, the call was disconnected.

Zoe, furious and sobbing, snapped a photo of my death certificate and texted it to him, only to find she’d been blocked.

I wanted to comfort her, but my hand passed right through her shoulder.

So, I just hugged her through the air.

Don't cry, you silly girl.