its only a matter of time before i explode. i watch her, the girl with the prettiest eyes and the even prettier smile turn to a stranger. the light inside of me flickers dimly, unsaid words beginning to form inside my mouth. she smiles one of those beautiful smiles but its not for me. i watch her turn her back to me and walk away with the stranger. a hungry flame begins to lap its tongues of fire at my heart. the stranger puts his arms around her and i hear the sound of blood roaring in my ears. the flame is starved, devouring every sensible thought. the stranger presses their lips against hers and i want to scream. the match is lit, its smoking now. every joint in my body seems to be infused with liquid conflagration. the scream gets stuck in my throat halfway. i say her name once, my voice strengthened with fiery anger. she turns to me, confusion and pity smeared across her face. she turns away again and my voice is too strained to argue. the spark lit inside of me will not handle this. i feel my whole body start to shake and tremble. the ticking time bomb in me rattles precariously. i shut my eyes, not willing to see this fuel for my fire any longer. weapons of jealousy and pain and longing shoot me in both sides. i shake with internal pain for what could be seconds, hours, days, months. until a hand drapes on my shoulder and the hand's master whispers words that are supposed to be comforting. against my will, the flame begins to die out. the affirmations dwindle my pain until a dull ache. i will never get over her completely, but for now it will have to do.