.scene.

"what's that?" she whispered. terrified.

the other girl pulled her closer.
"it's your heartbeat."

but she shook her head.
"it's just someone walking by my door."

the other one touched her face.
"you're beautiful, you know."

but she said, "no." when she
wiped off her makeup and the smile melted
down.
the drain.
along with it.
she sat for a long time with
her; arms folded and just enough

space

between the two to confuse the situation. even more.
"will you still be here after the storm blows over?"

but the other looked at her heart and said
between aching breaths,
"what storm?"


the days-
and weeks-
and months-
washed away
whatever dust had settled.

the rain fell into
the spaces between and
soaked up all the hearts like it was.
just a game.

and she whispered,
"what's that?"

and the other sighed,
"that's my heartbeat."

so she stood up and.
reached her hand for the sun but
the other ran.

down.
the gutters.
just like the rain
streaked with little rainbows.
from old oil puddles that
the cars left
behind before.
they.
drove away.