what about us | l.s.

eight

Love.

An emotion so powerful yet so subtle. It starts slow and gradually takes over the body, leaving trails of sunshine happiness in its wake. It soon reaches the mind and presents itself in the form of the person you cherish the most. Now they're in the heart of your soul, and they have all of your attention. Waking up, they're the first person on your mind and you have thoughts of them as you scramble to get ready. The day ends with them and secretly yearning to be where they are, aching to have them near.

But then it doesn't stop there. The moment the brain gets compromised, the butterflies show up. When they brush your hand for a split second, your stomach erupts with them. It's nauseating until you catch them smiling, and soon you're wearing an identical grin. The butterflies reappear when they start laughing, and you can't help but admire them and the way they're glowing.

After the butterflies, you get pulled in even further. On late-night phone calls, you tune in to the sound of their voice and how beautiful it is. Your face erupts in a smile as they say goodnight, and you beg for the next day to arrive quickly. Their face takes over your dreams, and you long to make them a reality. You wait for the day that you can wake up in their arms, wishing nothing more than to stay there forever.

But love is tricky. Unrequited love can generate the deepest pain. To confess your love to someone else causes great stress. Leading up to it and not knowing if the person is just a very good friend or if they feel the same. Wondering if it's worth losing someone you love by confessing your feelings for them.

So you sit on it. You sit on it and watch as their eyes follow someone else around the room. The way they sit together and hushed laughter arises from their corner of the room as they share personal jokes that you wouldn't understand. How they focus on their phone and ignore you while you sit together in the coffee shop. And it kills you. It kills you knowing that you were once the reason for their smile, and now they're gone. But you suck it up. You suck it up, and you put a smile on your face because they're happy. That's all you ever wanted. Even if you didn't realize it until it was too late. They look happy, and you've been pushed to the back.

Now you're lying alone in the snow, staring at the stars through watery eyes.