Dear Bentley

[Elsie Beauregard]

16th April, 1884

Dear Bentley,

I'm in trouble Bentley. The Dread of the Debut has started and I feel like it's suffocating me. NEWTs I can handle- throw me all the tests and I will be fine- maybe not as good on the practical ones, but I will pass History of Magic with flying colors. This silly ball though. Is it weird I'm not looking forward to it? The closer we get, the more everybody wants to talk about about it and the more I want to avoid it.

Except it's unavoidable.

Even at home- Adella's making my dress and it's going to be beautiful I know, and I'm thankful she's putting in the time, but I'm going to ruin it somehow, I just know it. How couldn't I? I'm going to trip or fall down the stairs or fall while dancing, not that anybody will ask me to dance, but still! I wish mum was not so insistent. I wouldn't participate if it wasn't for her breathing down my neck about it. I love her, I do, but we're never on the same page when it comes to what I want for my life...

I know I should stop whining, she's just looking out for me, but it's hard!

Love,
Elsie