Paper hearts and euphoric sighs.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Skipping class and instantaneous lies.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Before their red ruby heart cracked into millions of pieces, which you crushed into a fine paste so you could refresh yourself after screaming,

"ITS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

After everything they do wrong; they went with you for love but in return got the tap tap tapping of your fingers against the table waiting for their explanation on why someone named Alex is texting them, yet here they are again apologizing for their inability to see what you see. That the world is dangerous and they need you to keep it that way because they could never make it alone.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

They always hear echoing in their mind as they head out the door to go to work, and to the store, and to the bathroom, always tiptoeing around life least you see them doing wrong.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Are the words bouncing off the walls of your one bedroom apartment because they were supposed to be home at six; but the clock has hands too and it was doing somersaults so fast they couldn't keep up with it.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Are the reasons they’re learning how to cover the bruises on their arms as if their skin has never been smudged by your unforgiving touch before. "IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU,"

They are wearing clothing that they’d  never normally wear and changing three times a day because someone looked at them and you got jealous. "ITS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Is the reason they won’t say anything

"ITS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

Is the reason they don't talk to their friends anymore, since you're the only one they need.

"ITS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

That they haven't seen their family in over 6 months

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

They cry every time that they are alone because they just don't get why they’re allowing your dark soul to turn theirs into an ebony mask of pain

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

That they’re living like this

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

That they’re not going to sit back and let you dictate their life anymore

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

That they’re going to say something for the first time. That they are going to actually listen to their heart instead of the fear controlling their brain.

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."

That they're seeking help in all the places that will listen to their story

"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE MYSELF!"

That they're saying goodbye.