Butterflies

A drunk girl with star-shaped pimple patches

collapsed into her friend’s hollow chest 

smothered by a stained white hoodie that

smelled like peppermint-scented shampoo

Touching the hand.

Feeling the pulse.

Sharing the warmth.

(A dark silence barges in)

Tattooed butterflies hovered over them

Black and pink antennas tickling their bellies

Her eyes fluttered. 

Thin eyelashes flapping.

Cheeks blushed.

He touched her pinked fingernails, her nose, and

Kissed her.

Their first one.

A miracle of the hardened night in a peaceful town in Maryland.

.

.

.

.

Butterflies, engraved under her left chest, whispered into her ear,

will it always be beautiful like this? 

Ruby Koo

(she / her)

Content warning: substance abuse, addiction