[Verse 1]
Backyard dusk in a cul-de-sac
Chain-link fence and a paper cup crown
I still feel gravel under my shoes
Every time I turn around
You were “it” in a thrift-store coat
Counting slow to twenty-three
I laughed so hard I lost my breath
Did you ever stop watching me?
[Chorus]
One
Two
Three
Red light
I turn
But you’re already there
Closer than you should be
Breathing on the back of my neck like prayer
One
Two
Three
Red light
I blink and the hallway bends
Frozen in the corner of my eye
(are you playing)
Or is this how it ends?
[Verse 2]
Same old house
But the paint peeled off
Your name carved faint in the window frame
Thought you moved
Thought you grew
Thought you vanished
But the air still mouths your name
Coffee’s cold on the kitchen tile
Footsteps pacing over my head
No one home
Just your favorite song
And the weight of what we left unsaid
[Chorus]
One
Two
Three
Red light
I turn
But you’re already there
Smiling like you never left
Dust in your tangled hair
One
Two
Three
Red light
Every shadow holds your stance
Hands at your side
Eyes too wide
(are you playing)
Or is this my last chance?
[Bridge]
You whisper “don’t move”
I was never good at that
I ran
I grew
I disappeared
Left you in the cul-de-sac
Now every time I face the wall
You’re creeping up my spine
If I look back
Do you forgive me
Or drag me to your side?
[Chorus]
One
Two
Three
Red light
I turn
But you’re already there
Arm’s length from my beating chest
Cold fingers in my hair
One
Two
Three
Red light
I flinch
And you finally speak
“Tag
You’re it” in a borrowed voice
(keep watching)
I’ll see you in your sleep