SUNSHINE AURA – self-esteem. self-love. self-actualization. 

She was finally ready to talk about it.

To face the truth, open up about it.

The all-day texts:

From ‘good morning’ to ‘sleep well.’

The apparent promise of real feelings

Being shared between ‘lol’ and ‘haha.’

The anticipation and excitement

Of that first party underneath the stars.

Getting ready oh-so-slowly,

Each touch of make-up just right.

The outfit her best and boldest yet.

The ride over with butterflies and jitters –

The most delicious kind of anticipated nerves.

And how quickly the world paused:

He did not want her – never had.

Before her eyes the proof.

The sudden confusion and shock.

The disparity between what he said

And what he was now clearly doing.

Deep breaths and prickles in her eyes

Trying to act unaffected and stay cool.

Drinking way too much to just keep it together

Long enough until the car ride home

Thankfully with friends.

Parsing out the confusion, the mixed signals.

Why would he lead her on like that?

Worse still, why would she fall for it?