I used to tell the girl I once loved that she never had to feel overwhelmed or feel as though she always had to have her guard up, that as long as she stayed within my frail arms that she could let her mask fade for a moment. i used to tell her that she didn't have to constantly burn herself out, that she could take some time to feel alright again. when our friendship had neared a fine line, I knew the shadows in her head were getting the best of her. that her depression was pulling her further away from my embrace. nearing three years of not speaking with one another, three years of wanting to reach out to see if she's happier without me weighing down her life. but if she were to ever come around again, I'd play our favorite songs and dance with her the way we used to in my memories. I'd buy her the liquor she favored in her youth, and we'd party from dusk until dawn. that if she called, I would gladly pick up where we left off.