Writer’s Jam 2026

Prompt: Distance

By: ItsTheRoyalJester

To love Someone Before

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! God, we haven't used a chat room in a while! Suppose we didn't have a reason until now, though, huh? You settled in yet? I know it's only been like a couple of days, but I wanted to send you a message ASAP in case I gotta hunt you down and make you remember your old password. It would be just like you to forget~

I'm kidding! I'm kidding. Seriously, though, this feels so nostalgic! Like back when we couldn't come over to each other's houses when we were kids, so we talked here when we didn't wanna sneak out to the park. Hey… You miss our spot in the park? I was sitting there earlier, and it felt lonely without you. Do you even have parks where you are? DM me a pic of one if you can find anything over there! I miss you!

GarlicVampire signed off:

Ms.Stickykeys to GarlicVampire

You think I would lose my password? Cmon! Sorry I couldn't message ya back right away, I had way too much stuff to bring and try to find a space for in this raggedy little apartment. Who do they think lives in these things, pigs and mice? It's what I can afford, though, while I'm taking classes. 

Speaking of, you better not be a stranger during the semester! Just because lil ol’ me is off bettering my education and making something of myself doesn't mean I ain't gonna make time for you! You're my best friend. Never forget that. 

About those parks… I'm sure there's gotta be at least one around here, right? I'll try to make some time to look. Classes start in like a week, so I gotta make sure I'm ready for those, but we can talk again soon, OK? 

Ms.Stickykeys signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! Classes started today, right? I won't chew your ear too long then, but I gotta know what the classes are like! I was never the booky type, but neither were you, so who knows, maybe I can become a doctor! I'm kidding. I miss joking around with you. Most people around here just don't click with me as you do. Betsy misses you a lot. She won't let anyone else be her rider. Dad's even thinking about selling her off because of it, but I think I can make her crack eventually. Maybe I can go on walks with her like you used to. 

Our spot is still ours, though! I go there every week to sit and watch the leaves dance in the breeze. 

It's nice, but not the same. 

GarlicVampire signed off:

Ms.Stickykeys to GarlicVampire:

Wow, I miss Betsy. I actually have a new friend over here who is named Betsy, small world, huh? I met her in my civics class last week, and it turns out we like the same music! Did I tell you how loud it is over here? You would hate it, but I think I kinda like it? It's like there's always something going on, and car horns and people talking, it's just so much to take in! 

Do you still like ribs? There's a good ribs place over here that if you're ever around, you gotta try! I know it's only been like 2 weeks, but I'm really finding my footing here! I think even you would be proud of me! We should try and see each other soon, though, in the next couple of weeks!

Ms.Stickykeys signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! Almost thought you forgot about me! I've been fine, though! 

So… you're making more friends out there? That's really… great. I still have all of the horses and tried walking with Betsy, but still no luck so far! Heh… I have been holding onto our spot in the park as best as I can, though! It's been getting colder, and we would normally play in the leaves at around this time when we were young. You would always make a joke about how I was gonna trip around this time because my name's Leif, and then I would go “well it's because of you, Autumn!” Those were… those were great times. I think you started that joke when we were like… 8? God, you were such a dork back then! Just kidding!

Do… Do you think you found better ribs out there than back home? That can't be true! You remember my mom's recipe, right? There is no way anything over there can beat them! But… I mean, I can be over this weekend if you want! I would love to! Then maybe on your next break or something, you can come back here and visit us?

GarlicVampire signed off:

Ms.Stickykeys to GarlicVampire:

Hey! Sorry I couldn't do last weekend, Leif, but Betsy and Devin said we needed to work on our group project, and that's the only time we could get together that week. 

Honestly, it's been so long since I saw a horse, I don't even know if I can ride one still! I've been biking more out here, but biking in winter? That's not gonna last long. We have snow out here! Can you believe it? I’m not gonna risk crashing into someone from the ice on the road, so I did something I never thought I would do… I got my first bus card last week! Can you believe it? Me? A Bus girl? Little Autumn would skin me alive! Honestly, it's making me think about actually getting my license! Plus, it would make it easier to see you. I can drive down and go!

Ms.Stickykeys signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! How was your driving test? I uh… I hope to see you soon. It's been a while since you moved, Autumn. My dad sold off Betsy to a ranch a town over. She seemed excited to be in a new place. I'm… so happy for her. I haven't been riding much myself, though. I only really do it nowadays just to go from here to there. It's not as fun as it used to be. 

You never told me, did you find any parks over there? I carved our names into our old bench at our spot. The leaves on the tree are starting to come back, but it still just hurts to look at right now. Maybe when spring is like, here here, it will get better? Maybe you gotta come back and talk to the trees like you used to! Just kidding!

…

I miss you, Autumn. Things aren't the same with you gone. Would it… would it be too much to come over next week? Or maybe you come here? Maybe the week after, just to see you! I'm kidding! I'll see you when I see you! But we should definitely make plans soon. 

GarlicVampire signed off:

Ms.Stickykeys to GarlicVampire:

Alright, first off, I did wanna apologize for having to cut your visit short. I messed up buying your ticket. That being said, did you like the ribs? You can admit it… best ribs you ever had, right? I won't tell your mom if you say something to me about it! I think they had an actual smoker in the back! To be fair, though, I'm more of a burnt ends gal myself. I wish someone had a good recipe back home, I would have been twice my size if I found them when I was a kid! Oh shoot! I gotta go, Sally wanted to meet up with me for some coffee! I'm really excited! I'm gonna try something called Motcha? No, Macha, eh, I'll figure it out!

Ms.Stickykeys signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Wait! Please! Don't leave!

…

Who's Sally? 

…

Are you still there?

…

Please don't leave me again.

4 Messages Deleted:

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! Visiting you was great! I didn't hear from you much after, though. It's been like what, 2 months since you last messaged me? I could be mistaken, and I didn't see it! Haha… 

So the tree in the park is being torn down; they are gonna plant a new one, but it's not gonna feel the same. Nothing has felt the same in a while. Some punks decided to light some fireworks where they shouldn't have. A lot of the tree got destroyed. I was talking to some of the people in charge of the uprooting, and they said it couldn't be saved, but the people responsible are fully covering a new tree for the park. Like that would really fix anything. That tree is gonna take years to grow to be anything like the one before it! Should have just left the classic tree where it is and maybe like… I dunno… plant another tree next to it? That or just forget there was ever a tree there. It's gone. Nothing is ever really gonna replace it.

Do you plan on moving back once you finish college? It would be great if you wanted to maybe be roommates or something! It's not like I have anyone else I talk to anymore to bunk with! I'm kidding! Hope to see you soon!

GarlicVampire signed off:

Ms.Stickykeys to GarlicVampire:

Leif? I'm sorry it's been a minute. It's taking a lot of courage to message you this. I sent you an invite to my housewarming, thinking we could catch up better face to face. I even paid for your ticket, but I guess you have been busy. I know I have been. I was just… really hoping you would come. I had a picture hung up of us in my room. My mom sent it through the mail. I really wanted you to see it. It was us riding down to the store when Silver almost knocked you off, and I couldn't stop laughing. I think I snorted after the photo was taken from laughing so hard, that's not… OK, look, I need to clear my head on a bunch of stuff. Sally and I have been arguing, and my therapist says this could help me recenter. Talk to me when you wanna discuss things.

Ms.Stickykeys signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! I remember that photo! It was one of the best days of my life! You know what could have been possibly better? Making more of those memories, but no! You decided to stay over there with Betsy and Sally and whoever… Well, guess what, moron! I have friends over here too! I don't need you like you needed me! But no, you wanted to flaunt your shiny new apartment in my face! Was that it? Was that why you wanted me to see it? Just to brag about your new fancy life and new cool friends! That's great! I'm so glad you're enjoying being away from me! Go brag to someone else!

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey… I was just kidding with everything I said yesterday. I wouldn't mind coming over, and maybe we can talk about me meeting some of your new friends? Please get back to me soon. 

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

H-hey! You never got back to me. When can I come over? Please? It's been a while since you last messaged me.

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

Hey! I was only kidding what I said that one day! Please message me back. I don't have anyone else to talk to anymore.

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire to Ms.Stickykeys:

They tore down our old bench at the park. They are redoing the whole park. The new tree isn't as nice as the old one. Please message me back. I love you, Autumn, you're my best friend. I don't know what I would do without you in my life. 

GarlicVampire signed off:

GarlicVampire: You are unable to send messages to Ms.Stickykeys as you have been blocked.