Better.

I. White dress. You did your makeup in the upstairs bathroom mirror. There is hope on your lips  and powder on your skin. You are hiding your imperfections because how else would anyone fall in love with you? White dress you wore to make Tyler put his hands on your waist. White dress you wore in the summer. And in the laundry room, you wash blood off of a boy's hand, licking it once. Red blood you wished would stay in his veins. Red blood that goes straight to his heart where you once were. Red blood in the laundry room, where you make promises you'd never get a chance to keep. White dress you're wearing in the winter. White dress you press against Him when you whisper, "I think You're very handsome." White dress to mark the innocence you wish you could shake. A brown shoe is lost in the snow when you lay next to the handsome boy with the appropriate hands as He whispers, "You're better than you think you are."

II. Black pants. You did your makeup in the airport bathroom. Your heart is pounding to be home. You want everyone to see your imperfections because how else would Shane fall out of love with you? Black pants when he puts his hands between your legs. Black pants you bought in the winter. And in his bedroom, you wash the illusion off of your eyes, screaming once. An illusion you wished would stay in place. An illusion that used to trick your heart, where he once thought he was. Shattered illusions in his bedroom, where you promise never to speak to him again. Black pants when you press against Him when you whisper, "I know this is all my fault." Black pants to mark the sin you wish you could shake. A key necklace is lost between the sheets when you lay next to the handsome boy with the safe arms as He whispers, "You're better than you think you are."

III. Short skirt. You did your makeup as soon as you got up in the morning. There's a smile on your face and cold wind on your skin. You want Him to ignore your imperfections because how else would you pretend to love you? Short skirt you wore when you wanted people to stare at you. Short skirt you bought for the spring. And in the car, you play your insecurities off, slipping once. Insecurities you wished would stay hidden. Insecurities that darken your heart, where you want Him to be. Insecurities in his car, where you promise to be businesslike. Short skirt when you press against Him and whisper, "I want to see You again as soon as You get back." Short skirt to mark the reputation you wish you could shake. A few hair pins are lost in the seats as you lay next the handsome boy with the broad shoulders as He whispers, "You're better than you think you are."

IV. Green shirt. You did and redid your makeup three times. There's something snaking in your stomach, something tightening your lips. You are forcing yourself to forget you are imperfect because how else would He know He loves you? Green shirt you stole from your sister's closet. Green shirt you wore in the spring. And in His room, you wash yourself of inhibitions. Inhibitions you wish would stay away forever. Inhibitions that crept to your heart, where He already is. Lost inhibitions in His room, where you promise to be His. Green shirt you press up against him when you whisper, "I want You to know I really like You." Green shirt to mark the new beginning you wish was never-ending. A headband is lost behind His bed frame as you lay next to the handsome boy with the careful fingers as He whispers, "You're better than you think you are.

V. White dress. You don't remember doing your makeup. There is love on your lips and a kiss on your skin. You don't care about imperfections because you know He loves you. White dress you've never worn before. White dress you bought for exactly this occasion. And in the bed, you wash your insides in gold. Gold you wish would glow right through your skin. Gold that makes your heart beat fast, where He has always been. Gold in the bed, where you promise forever. White dress you press up against Him when you whisper, "I want this to be perfect." Something you can't name is lost between the sheets as you lay next to the handsome boy with the perfect hands as He whispers, "You're better than you think you are."