When I saw you first, you were radiant

  Golden as the sun

  You were bold, and gorgeous

  With eyes blue as lighting caught in sapphires

  I despised you

  When I saw you second, you were already popular

  Students flitting around you

  Like moths to flame

  Flirting and competing for your affections

  I wanted to talk to you

  When I saw you third, you were lost

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  Looking for the dorm I was forced to share with you

  I rolled my eyes and helped you

  When you changed into your sleep suit

  I looked away, face red

  When I awoke, you were in my face

  You’d already grabbed breakfast

  Salad and synthesized egg, with butter

  My favorite

  I still despised you

  When you competed in G-Ball, I was transfixed

  You were perfect

  Every shot you made struck a player

  I asked you to sit with me at lunch

  You accepted

  I was overjoyed to watch a film with you

  You knew every line in Terminus

  You were such a dork

  Dancing to the final score

  I couldn’t find it in my heart to despise you

  The next day, I heard the news

  A Terran spy

  Intruding on our fair Academy of Independent Mars

  I was eager to take the blood test

  You passed as well

  I loved the park at night

  The heat of your hands on mine, chasing away the cold

  The stars above us, bearing witness to your kiss

  I told you my darkest secrets, things I never said to another

  You were quiet

  I wondered if I was wrong about you

  But you met me on the roof, the next day

  You turned to speak, so beautiful

  And a security officer’s bullet tore out your throat

  The wound was full of black, liquid metal

  You were a Web

  Sent from Terra for some dark purpose

  I screamed

  Your true metal pouring through your throat to encase your artificial skin

  I was caught up in your arms

  And as you bore me away

  All I could think

  Was why

  Why did you trick me?

  Why did you kiss me?

  And why did I still love you?

  It’s been many years since that red day

  When Terra fell

  And you gave your life for me

  I try to live as you’d have liked, with another’s love

  But I cannot, and the sickness in my bones won’t relent

  If Webs have a afterlife, I hope to join you soon

  _________