• "How was your day?"

    I can hear my heart beat in my earphones.
    Aside from the song,
    that's the only sound around.

    "I had fun."

    Thump.

    "I talked to a lot of people in my class."

    Thump thump.

    "Did you read my message?"
    "Yeah, thanks, it was..."

    Thump thump thump.

    "Thanks."

    And it's not so bad after all.
    It's just another papercut to add to the list.
    A scar that will maybe disappear with time.
    Or maybe I forced it upon myself
    So maybe it'll ever go away.

    "Have you seen one of them outside of class?"
    "No, I hope I can, soon, though."

    And it's perfectly fine
    Being replaced,
    or feeling like I am.

    "I love you."

    It's so ridiculous.
    My hands have been freeing for days.
    I'm cold alot--it's such an invasive feeling.
    But my body feels like it's on fire.

    "No, you don't."

    I reach out to touch him, but

    "I had an amazing dream."
    "What was it?"
    "Hm... it's embarassing. It's a secret."

    I think I'm chasing ghosts.

    "So stay close to the staircase--"

    I found him again after he'd left
    but when I stood in front of him
    but throat was in a knot
    I couldn't say all those words I kept inside.
    I couldn't say the simplest things.

    "--so I can always find you."

    I love you.

    And so does she.