breathe.

(inhale) i tense up as you turn and walk off like nothing has happened. like you didn't break me, stab me, hurt me, kill me. like you don't know that i'm crying, dying.

(exhale) pretend like i don't care, don't dream, don't wish, don't need. pretend like your smile doesn't shine brighter than a star, than all the stars out there.

(inhale) i turn slowly now, walk off step by step, imagining that it's just as easy for me to leave it all behind as it was for you. except i can't see straight anymore. except you don't care.

(exhale) i stop, stricken, turn back and collapse. isn't it funny how promises die, how tears fall, how dreams cripple, how you can destroy me and i still want the best for you.

(inhale) my chest tightens, my jaw clenches, and i'm crying so hard that i can't see. or think. can't think about you. it's all flashing by until it hits a wall and shatters.

(exhale) stand up, walk off, and forget, but i can't. stop crying, but i won't. move on, but i'd die. stay here, but i'm already dead. erasing my life from yours. i give in.