Stop

You don't have to like me, it's okay I get it really. You don't have to hold your breath whenever I walk by, or look the other way when In enter the same room. You don't have to want to like me, or want to want me. It's okay, honestly I understand. You shouldn't have to be burdened by me, or by the feelings that I thought we shared. You don't have to play pretend with me, I never asked for a fairy tale. Stop forcing the smile I fell so deeply for, stop barely breathing when my fingertips trace your cheek because you're afraid if you do, I'll smell the alcohol you've downed just to bear witness to my torture. Stop trying to be the perfect boyfriend when every syllable of the words "I love you" fall flat.
Stop trying to figure out the punch line to every shitty joke I tell just so you can shower me with your pitied laughter. Because I understand, and you don't have to like me. But please, don't pretend to love me either.