Youth Short Story - First Place

Icicles grew on windowsills at that special time of year
When I befriended a boy who didn't have an ounce of fear
He wasn't the most pleasant, or so I thought upon first impression But he was so much more complex than what I first assumed he was

Sitting in a room full of people, but I was by myself
He saw that I wasn't around and brought me back down
That day, I told him "I swear I won't stop doing the same
If you ever need the reminder that you're winning this game"

And yet, I never asked if you were doing fine
That was my first mistake
The boy who only showed he was nothing but brave Fought a war
Home alone
Every day

Windowsills wept, the buds began to bloom, and the sunbeams shone and danced What I thought was a sign for you, but the passing cold kept you entranced
Each day added nicks to the scars on your wrists, and it made me want to cry
I saw things get worse, but didn't say a word, and to this day, I couldn't tell you why

Looking around at the ones in your life
I see no one else knows that you're drowning in your eyes I knew I had to step up to keep you alive
But I was just a kid back then and didn't know

How to be there for you during the hard times
When you'd push me away just to seem strong
It doesn't make you less of a man if you let someone in to help move things along All I want is to help you step out of the black to the incandescence
So you can see yourself in the eyes of those who value you
It's so bitter, not sweet, to sit all alone in the dark

The first time I ever saw you cry was that night
When I held you in my arms and gave you a break from the fight Raindrops poured down and surprisingly warmed me that night When you didn't leave me behind to see the light

Flash forward to the heat waves, you got a good girl and you made new friends Who don't make you question your worth; life's made amends
My name doesn't come up in your mind anymore, but I'm still cheering you on

Waving from ashore

I'll always be your first call

Your helpline