How do you send someone a message on twitter?

[Jelly]

Right basically I need to send someone a message on Twitter but they don't follow me. I know how to send a direct message to someone who doesn't follow you but that doesn't give enough characters to type my message.
So I was wondering is there any other way of me sending them a message that isn't a direct message. I do know this person and we are friends but this is the only way of contacting them!

Please help me I'm no good with twitter im so use to facebook!

Thanks

[Test]

Just send a message with their name in it and they will see it. I their name on twitter is @jacob12 then put just that on ur message @jacob12

[mina]

show that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubb9G5FuR_c