I. Love is a velvet prison.

That's what I think when Noelle rolls on top of me. Her eyes are shining, her lips smiling but not too much. She doesn't have to say it, but she does.

"I love you."

And then I feel the bars come down around me. They are only made of velvet; I have the physical strength to escape. But I don't have the mental strength. And so this velvet is thicker than iron. At least I can bang my head against iron..

She looks at me, expectant, awaiting a reply. I can't speak it. I'm doing all I can to keep my eyes open. I want to go to sleep. I want her off me. Her emotions are now my burden. The wrong look, word, or gesture can singe her like a poker.

She lies on top of me naked, her eyes searching for something in mine. When she doesn't find love, she will settle for hope. And so I am trapped. In this velvet prison.

"RULES OF THE GAME" on Amazon