the look in his eyes

It started out as adoration, as most things do

"You're so pretty," he'd tell me

I believed him every time, but found myself

wishing he'd compliment something

just beyond the physical

I eventually grew to despise that phrase

because almost every time he'd say it

it only meant something darker

Another night, gone too far for my liking

and another, and another, and another

I began to pull away,

but his young, intense, passionate mind

wouldn't hear of it

His eyes always open, watching me

I never understood why

the adoring look in his eyes quickly turned to lust

a look I had never seen before

but will never forget again

forever burned into my mind

as he yanks the last straw and the cops drive by.