Casualty of Love

I'm another casualty to the weapon of love. The trigger pulled by joined hands. Claims of compassion suffocating my every breath, Nearly as strong as the words of manipulation. "You're my everything" "I'd kill myself if you left" "I love you" Clotting my vision with love letters. Blinding me with check up texts. "Where are you" "Tell me" Why? "Because I love you" I should have left earlier. I couldn't have. Bruises burn my skin, hidden beneath sleeves. I shouldn't have made her mad. "Don't tell anyone" Why? "Because I love you. I can't lose you" I won't. A smile pasted on my face says "I'm fine" I'm not. But at least I'm loved. The lights fade out. But when they return, she's not there. I go to my best friends house. "What the hell happened to you?" Love. "That's not love" He's right. But it's the closest thing I've got. He holds me as I sob. We talk for hours. "You gonna leave?" I can't. I'm scared. "It'll be ok" Two months without pain. Without fear. Without the toxicity I thought was love. Why did you help me? He shrugs. "Because I love you"