A letter from August 2nd, 2020

W Dear Future Iona, As you’re reading this, you should be either 19 or 20. Did you get to go to university? Right now I’m having doubts about it. You probably remember 2020 when everyone had to be quarantined. Being in lockdown has been pretty tough and finding the motivation to do work has been even tougher and I’m pretty worried that this may affect my qualifications. I’d love to study either film or animation so hopefully this year was just a minor setback. I’m pretty set on being able to work in the film industry so I’m quite sure that hasn’t changed. Do you remember that western screenplay you wrote? I hope you’re proficient enough at animation to make that a reality! Maybe in a couple years you can make that your thesis film. I really don’t want you to forget about it. I really hope you’re still friends with everyone! I love my friends. Every time we hang out it’s like something from a coming of age movie. I’ll list them all here just so you don’t forget them! Elivia, who’s really into music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. She has great taste in clothes! She always says she wants to join the 27 club, but I really hope that she doesn’t. She’s such a fun person to be around. Louise, who’s such a sweet person. I wish I could be as carefree as her! We always refer to her as the mother of the group and I’d say that fits her pretty well. She always refers to things as cute but really she’s the cute one. Amy, who’s obsessed with boys. She has a cardboard cut out of Harry styles in her room as well as a bunch of posters. I think she’s just like every teenager from teen movies in that regard. I wish I knew her better than I do but I’m sure I’ll get to know her better. Eilidh, similarly to Amy is also obsessed with Harry styles and one direction. She lives on a farm and I think that’s super neat. She and Elivia really like true crime. Sometimes she comes across as a little mean because she’s very opinionated but that’s what I like about Eilidh! I hope you didn’t forget them. I think they’re probably the best friends you’ve ever had. Speaking of friends, who are you friends with now? I hope you’re not hanging out with the wrong types of people. If you are in university, I’m sure you’ve found some likeminded people to talk to. Have you had your first kiss yet? I can’t imagine it happening to me anytime soon. I think I’d rather focus on my dreams rather than getting caught up in some silly teenage romance that probably won’t last. Whoever you fall in love with, make sure you can see a future with them! Don’t let go of your dreams for love. Do you still dream of living in a little cottage by a river? Sometimes I wonder if that’ll ever happen. It’s most likely just wishful thinking. School is starting in about 8 days, and it’s going to be the first time I’ll have been there in about 5 months. Half of my year has been wasted and I could’ve used this time to better my drawing skills. Hopefully this doesn’t impact you too much in the future. Are you still into video games? I’ve found that I’ve been playing them less and less recently, but that’s probably because Calum’s hogging the PlayStation. Did you ever get a PlayStation five? I hope so! It looks pretty cool. Have you come out as bisexual? I’ve been wondering a lot lately about my ********* and it might be that I’m just confused, but I’m hoping future me will have it all figured out. I hope things are working out for you. If you ever forget the reason you love film and animation, please remember the wind rises. I wish you the best of luck, of course I do! I know you’re capable of great things. I can feel it. It’s a strange feeling but I just know your life will be worth something because you made it so. I can just see your name on a billboard. A film by Iona Davies” Anyway, don’t lose sight of what you love, but I’m sure that’ll never happen. From Iona, aged 14 :)