Eyes closed, Wide open

She stared at me with eyes barely open

Daring me to break the silence

To be the first one to utter a word

To speak and shatter her bleak existence

I stared at her, my eyes wide open

Taking in the streaks of mascara

Running down her face

I saw the little pulse dancing

Beating at the corner of her mouth

So tightly clenched was her jaw

Eyebrow raised, I dared her to keep quiet

Staring, captivated, until an invisible string pulled us apart

Magnetised, we shared one last look

With a slouch she blinked away

The swirl of my rainbow skirt caught the light

As I turned to face my shadow

Just in time to catch the wink she threw my way