I smile as my best friend chooses someone else over me.
I smile as my mother favors my brother greatly.
I smile as my significant other starts to hate me.
I smile as the kids on my bus yell at me, calling me names.
I smile as the teachers use the wrong pronouns.
I smile as my friends ignore me, leaving me alone.
I smile as though nothing is wrong.
I smile as though I hadn't cried myself to sleep the night before.
I smile as though I hadn't felt real pain or heartbreak or suffering.
I smile as though I hadn't ever had my heart and soul ripped in two.
I smile.
I smile politely and no one sees my tired eyes.
I smile politely and no one sees the bags under my eyes.
I smile politely and no one notices the shakiness in my voice.
I smile and smile and smile, and no one suspects a damn thing.
So I smile.
