Prologue:
The leaves were starting to fall at the same time I was. The colors soared through the air in little, sporadic whirls, and my heart followed that rhythm the best it could. I wanted to be in sync. I liked to pretend that the world and I were best friends.
I twirled every few steps down the park trail. The trees around me swayed in the breeze, slowly moving left-right-left-right-left like they were trying, in all their stillness, to dance. As I twirled the leaves fell, coming down in flaming, beautiful bunches. I laughed, throwing my arms in the air, a smile on my face as I went 'round and 'round on the small path, bumping into little bushes and fallen logs. My mitten-clad hands reached for the red leaves; the yellow leaves; the purple and brown and orange ones, too.
Finally, I sat down on the ground right off the trail. I smiled, breathing in the crisp air and trying to catch my breath. I looked at the trees and mouthed I love you, still gasping and smiling, my cheeks hurting but my mind happy. And I did. I looked at all the trees and fallen leaves and bushes and squirrels and just everything. I kept mouthing I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you as I slowly turned my head, taking the scene in one section at a time.
I patted the moist, fire-colored leaves beside me.
"I love you."
Because it wasn't really all that hard to fall in love with the world after all.
YOU ARE READING
Fall
RomanceThis isn't a typical love story. I didn't meet some boy and fall in love at first sight. In fact, I didn't fall in love with a boy at all. Or a girl. Not even a house plant. My name is Thalia Walker, and I fell in love with the world.
