"HELP, HELP HELP," I cry
Behind a mask of smiley emojis and lighthearted texts
"I'm broken and sad and I need help, PLEASE"
But I'm still not heard

Maybe I should reach out to someone,
Tell someone how I feel
I need someone to listen to me!
I can't come off as too miserable and desperate though,
Then it'll be upsetting for both of us.

I put my mask on.

I spill some feelings to a friend
Explain, sort of, how sad I've been lately
But still hiding behind the mask.
Finally, maybe someone will respond to my cry for help
But all I get in response to my painful plea is a single empty word:
"Mood"

"Lol", I text back,
The screen before me growing blurry as tears swim in my eyes.