My love

After years of torment and constant bullying, love seems like the furthest thing on a bug enthusiast's mind. Until he meets the girl of his dreams.

In my experience being an entomologist doesn't lend itself to a fruitful love life. Even when I was a child as my curiosity for the insect world began to bloom, the acceptance of my peers seemed to wither. To the point where they would make fun of me unrelentingly. I was shoved in the dirt, beaten, and called a host of cruel and vile names.

My love for my hobby only grew as I got older but as it did, so too did my distance from the rest of the world. My bugs had never let me down or called me any kind of names. They went about their business surviving as they had for millions of years undeterred by social injustice or the grand farce of politics. No war or genocide threatened their way of life. No idealistic movement nor advancement in technology had ever changed their instinct to survive. Greed had never driven them, lust had never misguided them, and wrath had never blinded them from what they knew they must do. We shared that sentiment them and I.

Until she came along.

I was working at my college lab finishing a project on the cycle of metamorphosis of the Papilio Antimachus when she appeared out of nowhere and tapped my shoulder to ask what I was doing. I ignored her at first then told her I had to get back to work but she was steadfast in her questioning. She infuriated me. Every day for a week she would return pestering me with her questions and I would never look up from my work. I finally caved in reciting my research, knowing full well the laughter and strange glances I would receive. But they never came. Instead on her face a look of excitement and pure innocence. Oh what an enchanting look it was. Her green eyes were wide and shined like the first divine drops of morning dew. Her brown hair was wrapped tightly in a ponytail aside from a few strands left behind that fell to the side of her face. For the first time in my life I was enthralled by something that didn't have an exoskeleton.

We never left each other's side after that. She would come with me on all my expeditions and listen in wonder as I described the astonishing world bugs had created for us. From bees and butterflies pollinating our crops to even the flies and maggots meant to cleanse the world of decay. She clung to every word like no one ever had. In turn, she took me out into the world. The world I neglected in response to its cruelty to me. But she showed me it's better side. We went to the movies and to fancy restaurants where the prices were preposterous compared to the portion. She took me to clothing stores where she would pick out any number of clothes and make me model them as I came from the changing room. As embarrassing as it was I no longer cared. It brought a smile to her face and that was all I ever needed for the rest of my life.

Now I get to wake up to her every day for as long as I live. I get to look into those shining green eyes knowing that she belongs to me forever. Brushing those stubborn strands of hair behind her ears every morning invigorates. She never leaves me. She never calls me names. I love her. And she loved me. I covet her as I do the rest of my collection to which she has made the perfect addition. For even though the life has drained from behind her emerald eyes. Her angelic features and the knowledge that I couldn't survive without her have remained

Author's Note

Any and all reviews, comments, etc. are welcome. Thanks for reading!