shame.

she glares daggers at me and i want to die. please let me die. chocolate eyes of fire, she breaths loathing into my face, burning my lips, melting my composure. the stench smothers my shallow confidence, suffocates the word i can't say, and i choke on the hate that's so thick in the air, i can taste it. salt mingles with her tangible disgust, tears staining my defeated smile, acid pain drenching pale cheeks. i watch her size me up, me- pathetic, weak, and she laughs.
a metaphorical slap in the face.

grit my teeth, hold back tears, calm my quaking hands, deep breath. my futile attempt to recapture dignity.

what a joke. she smiles mockingly, and i feel myself break. time stops, trapping me in this moment of shame.