Writing Prompt Wednesday #76

Write a story about self worth. -Julia Smith

TW: Death, implied suicide

    You are worth so much more than you know.
    I remember when we were younger we were sitting in the park, gazing up at the night sky. 
    It was cold, and it was beautiful. Your eyes were shining just as bright as the stars.
    I’ll never forget what you told me on that day.
    You said, “Look at all of those stars. Look at how big that sky is. Look at how big the world is. 
    We are so small. So insignificant.
    We will never amount to anything.
    We will never be worth anything.”
    I didn’t know how to respond to that.
    I tried to assure you that you were worth something.
    That the world was worth something.
    That the world was better with you in it.
    You shrugged.
    “I guess.”
    I knew you didn’t believe me.
    But I proved you wrong.
    I see you every time I look up at the stars and think of how large the world is.
    Maybe it’s big enough that you’re out there somewhere.
    Still watching over me.
    Still thinking about me.
    That thought comforts me.
    And I see you every time I visit the small grave in the cemetery next to the school.
    With your name carved into its stone.
    I walk past it everyday before I go home.
    Sometimes I bring flowers.
    Sometimes I drive there at night and park outside the wrought iron fence that protects you.
    I lay out a blanket.
    I sit next to the stone.
    And I pretend that you’re still here, talking to me.
    That you had believed that you were worth enough to stay.
    I think how no one else could have changed the world as much as you have.
    You are worth so much more than you know.