a whisper between two

i smile like nothing is wrong
pretend i'm happy; my mouth hurts.

a laugh shared between two.

i look away, thinking maybe
if i ignore these insecurities, i'd be okay.

an exchange of jokes between two.

i twiddle my thumbs, try to
breathe; push messes out of my brain.

a high five between two.

brain panics in a flurry
fingers shudder in a wild bout of nerves.

a word of farewell between two.

needles stab me in my lungs
i try to be okay, feel okay, please

two heads twist, smiling between three.

be plastic again, things were
never wrong; i'm fine

one last breath of fresh air
settle back into my mask

the three laugh between flaws

two sincere, and i?
for the sake of laughing

a conflict between one.