Picture Perfect

(Verse 1)

I was quiet in the beginning,

Held my tongue and swallowed words.

Thought maybe you would notice

The silence getting worse.

I was screaming without making a sound,

Hoping you'd turn around.

But you were too busy painting colors

On a canvas already torn.

Wasn't a man, just a boy,

I was just something for him to enjoy.

A name on your phone, a face in your day,

Someone you loved when it was easy to stay.

(Pre-Chorus)

I made excuses, I made space,

I kept forgiving the same mistakes.

I called it patience, called it love,

But I was the only one showing up.

(Chorus)

No gold, no flowers, no cake.

"Sorry, I forgot. Just forgive me, no second thought."

Yeah, well, I'm not that girl

To lie down when you've been fake.

You painted a perfect picture full of lies,

Hung it up for everyone to like.

But I saw the cracks behind the frame,

I knew your colors weren't the same.

(Verse 2)

Then I stopped being quiet,

Put what's true into the air.

Told you all the things that hurt me,

Told you how you were never there.

You said you loved me, "Take your time."

But your actions never matched those lines.

You promised me that you would change,

I knew tomorrow wouldn't look the same.

And funny how suddenly you found your voice,

Suddenly you had a choice.

Funny how you found a reason

When you started losing me.

(Pre-Chorus)

All the promises came rushing in,

All the "I'll change," all the "try again."

You chased the version of me you broke,

Like you could fix it with a few words you spoke.

(Chorus)

And I laughed when you got desperate,

When you finally started to care.

When the love you never showed me

Suddenly appeared everywhere.

You weren't fighting for my heart,

You were fighting your regret.

You weren't scared of losing me,

You were scared you weren't enough yet.

(Bridge)

Blue eyed blonde football boy didn't work out,

Guess the perfect story didn't turn out.

You swore forever, swore you'd try,

But forever only lasted while I stayed quiet.

Love isn't words you throw around,

It's every little thing you never found.

I was never asking for too much,

I was asking for a little trust.

For a call, for a sign, for you to choose me,

Not just love me when you had to lose me.

(Final Chorus)

So keep your picture perfect,

Keep your words and your disguise.

I don't need a pretty story

Built on a thousand little lies.

I was quiet, I was patient,

I was everything you wanted me to be.

Until I found my own voice again—

And realized I was worth being seen.

Keep your picture perfect and fairytale mind.

Find someone else who'll agree.

Because that girl won't be me.