I Didn't Know

When I was younger, I didn't know
how love could be such a game.
how my heart could beat so loudly like battle drums when he was near,
or the treacherous game of tug of war with all the other girls,
or the secret codes running rapidly through the stream of gossip.
I didn't understand how
anyone could affect me so,
and drive me to do such crazy things.
But i had to, I had to play the game,
for the one I adored.
I had to fight all the other girls.
I had to dress up pretty and parade myself to try and gain his attention.
I had to steal his affections from unworthy girls.
But I had to win the game.