Pieces of You

He was the only person you ever saw, and he was the only person who ever really saw you. You would have followed him anywhere in the world. His blue eyes were like a sea of wonder that you would willingly drown in. He had this flicker of light in his eyes when he would dream of the future and the possibilities to come. His passion was contagious and it made you want to be better too.

The past ten years you spent all the time you possibly could by his side. His song inspired you and his mind intrigued you. There was never a dull moment. Never a conversation that left you unfulfilled. You weren't sure if you were more fascinated by his words or by the way that he always looked so perfect. It was hard not to stare in awe when he looked at you. The first time his lips touched yours, you knew you'd never be the same, and you were okay with that. He had his own life to live so you always kept a piece of yourself shut off to him because you just can't cage beauty. You saw him for what he truly was, a masterpiece that belonged to no one. That is what made him priceless.

The ache you felt every night in your stomach was but a small price to pay to keep him in your life. Somehow you knew that you would be a better person just from being around him, even if he never loved you back. Infatuation long passed, replaced with a love so deep that no one could replace it. Your heart's song was him, your dreams, both awake and asleep were of him, and even if he was never to be yours, he was the love of your life. You tried to see other people, but they seemed like a blank canvas compared to his colors. You found yourself trying to recreate him in everyone that you met, but you just can't easily duplicate priceless art. It would be unfair to the world to hang him up on the wall for only you to see. He had too much to give to be owned. You kept quiet because you would rather live with the ache than the emptiness that he would inevitably leave.

Your time together was soon coming to an end. Ten long and wonderful years of two lives intertwined. You knew the world would be his playground, you just wanted to be a part of the picture, even if it was just to hold the camera. Your last trip together before both of your lives changed. Your last chance to tell him how you feel. Even if he didn't reciprocate, you just wanted to not live your life with regret. You'd somehow find a way to love again and maybe even be happy. You'd probably have a family while he was out finding himself and living his life to the fullest. Your fantasy would be his reality, but you'd still wish there was a way to combine the two. The only thing you knew is that you couldn't spend the rest of your life wondering what if. If he knew, would he come and whisk you away?

You knew that you'd never be able to live a life free of torment until you told him. The days got closer and closer, you both were sitting side by side on the way to a tropical paradise. There was a time limit on heaven and you knew when you went home, he'd be headed on to his next adventure. You were torn between wanting to enjoy these moments and share your heart. You bit your tongue as you danced long into the night. He held your hands in his, spinning you around and there was nowhere in the world you would have rather been. There was a room full of people, but you saw only him. Everyone saw the chemistry, they told you they had witnessed love.

That night you went for a walk. Waterfalls cascading in the background, your feet in the water, the stars shining on his face as he looked at you with sincere curiosity. You pulled out a letter because you knew that you wouldn't be able to say it while looking into his eyes. You began by saying he was your best friend, your inspiration, and the love of your life. You told him that you weren't looking for a response, but rather that you couldn't live with yourself if you didn't at least tell him that you loved him. You looked up to see a sympathetic smile and he hugged you so tight. That's when you knew he was about to break your heart.

He said that he loved you in a way that far transcended romance. A love that was unconditional that would never end over a break-up. You shook your head because it was finally over, your hope was dead. You felt a piece of you slip away because you realized that he knew all this time. His life would go on without you and you'd be left with the memory of the night you poured yourself out in front of him only to be rejected most lovingly.

You picked up your face and headed for the bottle in an attempt to mute out the overwhelming sorrow. He sat just seats away so you got up and headed somewhere he wouldn't see you break. Your heart had never felt this kind of pain. You held your knees to your chest as you realized that this is what all of the sad songs are about. A pain so deep, but there is no treatment for a wound you can't see.

Your mind plays back the memories from when you two were kids playing at camp together. You remember all of the birthdays and late nights when you'd watch scary movies. You see the moment he kissed you under the fireworks. You feel like somehow you just weren't enough, but you feel a sense of comfort because now, you too have your life ahead of you. A trail to blaze by yourself, no regrets, with new memories to make.

You wonder what people will see when they look at you. You hope this time you can be the one to inspire and have someone fall in love with the passion in your eyes. You get up and walk over to him and say thank you. He was, after all the one who made you feel most alive. You tell him there is no way your feelings for him could ever change.

You read the words at the end of the letter and hold back tears as you whisper to him, "Because the things I love about me, are really just pieces of you".