Her glowing face
was just a mask
and everyone knew it.
I wanted to laugh
at her. How could
she ever expect the
king himself to
actually love her?
Still, it was good
for me because
she was vulnerable.
"They said you could help me,"
She mumbled while
staring at the floor.
I motioned for her to sit.
She took a deep
breath and wiped
away an invisible tear.
I wondered what
he had done this time.
"It's okay now."
I placed my hand
on her leg.
"I'll take care of you."
She sat up straight,
balancing her invisible,
golden crown on the
top of her head.
"He-"
The crown almost slipped.
"He's nothing but a jerk."
She somehow managed
to contain her composure.
"I know, beautiful."
I used my other hand
to brush the hair out of her face.
The lights in her eyes
began to dim. The vision
of flowers in one arm and
her first love in the other
started to fade, and I knew it.
"We can go talk somewhere."
I smiled crookedly.
Her eyes shut tightly
for a solid three seconds.
I swear a single,
tangible tear rolled
down her cheek before
she nodded.
Then she walked
away with a boy
that was worse
than her very own
prom king.
You can't replace a jerk with another jerk, darling.
