And I did not see him as the glass window he was. A fragile boy who’s wooden panes were his only support. Whose layer of frost melted at the warm touch of my palm. I saw him as bulletproof – indestructible. The epitome of protection and resilience. I only just realized my mistake.

He reveled in my sunshine, reflecting my rays back into his own world. He endured my changing weather; protecting himself from the rain, snow, and hail. My words like pebbles – never leaving anything but scratches. Small, almost insignificant – I thought. Until it became all too much.

Until my carelessness and harsh winds began etching hairline cracks into his sturdy surface. Cracks that expanded and spread with every cold truth, bitter lie, and all the hurt. Working together to force him out of his beautiful frame, to instead lay on the ground in small shards, where I no longer had to see my disheveled reflection in his pristine surface.

I miss my glass window. I settled for metal bars, caged panes. I miss the transparency – allowing me to see everything. The pretty little clouds and the dark, looming shade of thunderstorms. The glass window protected me from it all until I willed him not to. I see him now, repaired and renewed. But I stay away because I know he is just as delicate – just as perfect. I cannot shatter this glass window.

This was a prompt we received a few  months ago and I only now pursued it because I could not think of the words I wanted to use to describe this experience. I wanted to show the relationship that could brew between two people who are so different but that’s what they appreciate about one another. Until it becomes the driving force behind their separation. The things they once reveled in, become the things they detest the most. But, I find that attraction remains – despite falling out and supposed hatred. I believe there is always a little part of you that will remain with that person.