you're perfect, didn't you know?

(we all have different reasons for forgetting to breathe)

Andrea Gibson


.

you're perfect, didn't you know?

.

perfect student

perfect mother

perfect wife

.

everyone knows it

everyone knows you (or your mask, anyway)

see how she shines

Little Miss Lily Evans, Gryffindor's Golden Girl

everyone just *loves* her, and why wouldn't they?

he loves her, just look

she can hear people talking about them

(apparently, it was love at first sight)

(their son's adorable, but how could you not be with parents like that)

(look at them, what a perfect little family)

and she nods her head and smiles because

for fuck's sake, she's perfect

.

haven't you worked it out by now?

.

so she keeps the mask of happiness plastered on

drowns in it, chokes on it

but even *perfect* people like her have to breathe

and the only place she can is with him

not him, him

a different one

one that is decidedly not perfect

one that sends shivers down her spine with a touch

one that whispers promises into her bare skin

(this is the last time, i promise)

one whose black hair and Black smile make her feel so deliciously wild and free

(and the furthest from perfect she's ever been)

but then the baby starts crying

and the front door bangs open

(she can't hear anything but two racing heartbeats)

and then she hears her husband's voice

and looks into her lover's eyes

and then her world

(her fucking perfect world)

starts

to

crumble

away