The Platonic Lie

He has a girl, I know the facts. I've seen her

on his feed. The smile and profile locked in place, planting a different

seed. But when he's here, the rules dissolve, the labels disappear.

The way you lean against his arm when you whisper in his ear.

You share that water bottle, the one that I just bought. And every inside

joke they throw leaves me completely caught. You say, "It's harmless.

He's my brother." That's your constant line. But brothers don't exchange that look

when I say, "She is mine." I watch you proudly tell your friends