Merry Christmas, Maddie. I wish I could be with you as you open this box, but unfortunately my promised obligations at the school have prevented me from being there.

Within the box is a ring—a promise ring to be more specific. If you must explain where it came from, please tell your family it was inherited from your grandfather upon his death. I've discreetly had this letter charmed so it will shift to Russian and read as a short note from your family's lawyer in the event your mother or father demand to see it.

The ring itself is set a white stone that will shift between white, black, and the shades of grey in between as my physical proximity from you gets narrower or greater. White expresses my distance, while black expresses my closeness.

I know I do not say it nearly enough (likely because the situations we find ourselves in do not allow it), but I do love you dearly and I wish you the happiest holidays.

My Dear Handsome,
The gift is beautiful I shall wear it always and think of you. I have nothing so lovely to give you, but I have sent you this small token of my affection. I cannot wait until we are back at school again for I miss your face terribly.

All my love
Maddie

If I knew it was my face you were missing, I might have sent a pocket-sized portrait of myself instead. As I write, I have your gift to me wrapped around my neck. Should I assume that the yellow thread was purposeful and, perhaps, a marking of your house? No matter the meaning, it's undeniably beautiful and I will wear it until the weather warms and others begin to comment on the oddity of wearing it.