This story is one of the May Writing Challenge entries chosen to be a featured story.
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It was finally autumn, and the symphony of birds outside your window brought a smile to your face. The leaves were beginning to fall, creating a path of orange beauty. You danced across the bridge to school, a faery in the midst of wolves. I loved to see you laugh, the sheer delight on your face made my entire week. The sound of it, like bells tinkling in the night. You broke down the façade that the world was trying to put up. You existed in a way that defied the norm. That is why I loved you. You, the girl whose rhythm was in sync with the angels. The girl who loved wholeheartedly. They all looked at you in awestruck wonder. You were as bright as the sun, shining for everyone to see. Only when lightning struck and thunder clapped did you stop to dance in the rain. I had a twinge of regret when I left. But it was for the best. I could not love you as fully as you deserved. You needed someone who would love you at full brightness, and I needed to get a handle on my crazy life. I would only drag you down. So please, keep shining, because you are my lighthouse back to shore.