SECONDARY OPTION

It's three AM and I'm still awake, Counting seconds, every move you make, Your name lights up my lonely screen, Falling deeper in-between. Did you see my message late last night? Was I the only one you thought about tonight? Every word you didn't quite say, Keeps me spinning on this sway. Your reply's like a ghost I chase, Reading lines for a hidden place, A little smile, a fleeting clue, Are you waiting too? Hold on, I can't let go, Your silence makes me echo slow, Every pause feels like a battle I can't win, Wishing you'd let me in. Maybe I'm just overthinking everything, A thousand words in the space you didn't bring, But I'm caught in this endless flow, Hoping you'll let me know. It's three AM and I'm still here, Heart pounding for a sign sincere, Lost inside this midnight maze, Waiting through the haze.

You said you'd stay, but I could see the truth shine through, I was that flutter, that maybe, just a side view, Thought I was your world until I saw the way you looked away, Playing the part of lover, but just a backup in your play. I wore my heart like armor, dared to hold on tight, While you kept one eye on what's coming, dreaming of the other night, I was your safety net, your fallback when it's hard to choose, Craving something real but always second-guessing what to lose. But I'm done being second in the story you tell, I've been the shadow, living in the space where I don't fare well, I'm not your plan B, I won't be another might-have, I'll stand strong in my own fire, no longer feeling trapped. If I'm just your backup plan, I'll rewrite what's mine, Won't wait in the wings, I'll draw the line, Cause I deserve the sun, not the shade you make me hide behind, From now on, I'll be the first to shine, I'll walk my own line. No more chasing after a love that's barely there, No more feeling like I've got to chase a dream that's unfair, I'll hold my head high, I'll take what's underneath the pain, 'Cause being your second choice ain't enough for me to stay the same. I see the strength inside, it's been buried all along, Time to rewrite the melody, turn my pain into a song, You had your time, but now I see the truth so clear, I'm not your backup plan—I'm the reason I'm here.

I keep a little space between us, just enough to breathe, Playing safe in quiet shadows, where I won't get hurt or see The cracks beneath the surface, the reasons I don't ask why, Falling into comfort, where I don't have to try. It's easier to hold this wall than risk a falling star, Love feels like a distant whisper, but it's enough if it's far. No need to face the storm or chase the burning truth, I keep my distance, hiding my proof. (CHORUS) Sometimes I love the version that's just out of reach, The safe kind of needing, the one I don't have to teach. It's peaceful in this space, where love's a gentle tide, Where I can breathe without fear, cozy in my hiding place inside. Your silence is a comfort, like a song I softly hum, Just close enough to feel it, just distant enough to run. I cradle the illusion, that I don't have to open wide, In this comfortable distance, in the place I confide. Maybe I'm afraid of breaking, of losing what's not mine, So I keep a pocket open, just enough to feel alive. It's a quiet kind of loving, a calm that never fades, In the shadow of what's missing, I find my sweet escape. (CHORUS) Sometimes I love the version that's just out of reach, The safe kind of needing, the one I don't have to teach. It's peaceful in this space, where love's a gentle tide, Where I can breathe without fear, cozy in my hiding place inside. And in this quiet corner, where I hide my aching heart, Loving you from a distance is the safest, gentlest start. No promises to break or tears I never show, Just the comfort of loving someone I'll never truly know.

I finally picked up all the broken parts Thought I'd rebuild what you left in my heart But the scars just fade into a brand new start Guess I'm good at putting the pieces apart Another chapter ends in silence and doubt So I wipe the tears but I never vocalize how The same old ghost hanging around somehow Waiting for the next one to break me down (CHORUS) Damage control, I'm spinning again Caught in the storm, the same kind of end Can't keep the fall from crashing through Running in circles, just me and you Picking up pieces, then watching them go It's a cycle I know I can't outgrow Damage control, it's all I know Hoping someday I might find something to hold on to Blame it on the roads I never chose to take Silly to think this pain's just a mistake Every heartbreak's now a familiar breaking And I swear I'm learning, but it's always the same Thought I'd find peace in a quiet night Instead I'm chasing shadows that fade out of sight Loving the hurt, it's a dangerous fight But I keep coming back to the why, to the why (CHORUS) Damage control, I'm spinning again Caught in the storm, the same kind of end Can't keep the fall from crashing through Running in circles, just me and you Picking up pieces, then watching them go It's a cycle I know I can't outgrow Damage control, it's all I know Hoping someday I might find something to hold on to And I wonder if I'll ever find the grace To stop replaying every last mistake I chase Or is this just part of the game I play A never-ending loop that drags me away (CHORUS) Damage control, I'm spinning again Caught in the storm, the same kind of end Can't keep the fall from crashing through Running in circles, just me and you Picking up pieces, then watching them go It's a cycle I know I can't outgrow Damage control, it's all I know Hoping someday I might find something to hold on to

We built a world with words we typed in sparks, Late nights, our secrets lit up in the dark, You smiled through pixels, made me forget the scars, In the glow of a screen, I believed we were stars. But I trace your name on the cold, hollow air, It's a dream that's slipping, fading everywhere, Virtual laughter, but I feel the empty stare, All these digital hearts, they're breaking somewhere. I wonder if you're just a ghost in disguise, A shadow behind the glowing lies, Close my eyes, then I realize, I don't feel us when I look in real eyes. Caught in the echo of what's never really there, Safe behind screens but so unaware, All the warmth evaporates into thin air, Digital hearts, trapped in a dare. Sometimes I think I'm just talking to air, Filling a void that I shouldn't care, Fingers on keys but I'm never really there, Lost in the silence we both bear. We say forever in the space we create, But I feel the distance grow and grow, All these moments, slipping away too late, Chasing shadows I'll never hold or know. And when the night comes, I wonder if you're real, Or just a whisper I can't quite feel, Trading what's true for the way we feel, Digital hearts, they're starting to peel.

Oh, I paint my dreams in neon lights, Where you're forever breaking through the night, A phantom touch, but it feels so real, Living in a story I can't help but feel. Lost in a castle made of smoke and mirrors, Every word, my favorite line, my favorite little error, You're a ghost writer in my mind's wild script, Writing love notes I would never risk. (CHORUS) I'm chasing shadows, dancing on the edge, Falling in love with what I can't assess, Living in a fantasy, a secret town, Where nobody's ever really around, Oh, I'm spinning in your fiction, caught in your glow, A perfect lie I'll never outgrow, Ghost writer, you're my escape, my high, In this dream, I don't have to say goodbye. Your voice is just a whisper in the breeze, A melody that only I can see, But I hold on tight to every note, Even if it's a ghost I hope. (CHORUS) I'm chasing shadows, dancing on the edge, Falling in love with what I can't assess, Living in a fantasy, a secret town, Where nobody's ever really around, Oh, I'm spinning in your fiction, caught in your glow, A perfect lie I'll never outgrow, Ghost writer, you're my escape, my high, In this dream, I don't have to say goodbye. So I keep on living in these stories I create, Rearranging all the things I never say, Every fleeting touch, every laugh so bright, They're just endless flights in the dead of night. (CHORUS) I'm chasing shadows, dancing on the edge, Falling in love with what I can't assess, Living in a fantasy, a secret town, Where nobody's ever really around, Oh, I'm spinning in your fiction, caught in your glow, A perfect lie I'll never outgrow, Ghost writer, you're my escape, my high, In this dream, I don't have to say goodbye.

We're packing bags in the quiet of night, Dreaming of streets we'll never cross, Imagining whispers in the neon glow, Thinking maybe love's worth the loss. I'll write your name in the sky so bright, Hold onto shadows that might not stay, Planning futures in a city of light, Hoping you'll meet me halfway. And oh, I see us in that hotel's glow, Laughing at dawn, just we two alone, But maybe it's just a wish I hold, A fantasy I've softly known. (CHORUS) Hotel room dreams, spun from midnight air, Falling apart before they get there, Caught in the shimmer of might-have-beens, Waiting for love that's never stayed within. Hotel room dreams, whispers in the dark, Hoping for magic, a spark, a new start, But even in dreams, I know it's a game, Still, I chase that fleeting flame. We talk of places we'll someday go, Maps drawn with hope and heartbreak too, But miles and miles of silent roads, Keep the truth hidden from view. Your ghost lingers in the space in my mind, A flicker of what might have been, I hold on tight to the hope I find, Even if it's wearing thin. (CHORUS) Hotel room dreams, spun from midnight air, Falling apart before they get there, Caught in the shimmer of might-have-beens, Waiting for love that's never stayed within. Hotel room dreams, whispers in the dark, Hoping for magic, a spark, a new start, But even in dreams, I know it's a game, Still, I chase that fleeting flame. Maybe someday we'll finally know, If these dreams were real or just a show, Until then, I'll keep holding on, To the hope that keeps me moving on.

Maybe this time, I'll catch the fire I've been chasing Running through the shadows, still I keep on believing Every heartbreak's a lesson, but I swear I'll get it right Turn the page, start again, dreaming of a better night Oh, I've seen the cracks, but I tell myself it's fine Maybe this time, they'll see the part that's truly mine With every little "maybe," I convince myself I'm strong Holding onto hope that maybe this time belongs I've fallen for the charm, for the promises they make But inside I know the truth, it's a game I'm bound to play Still, I whisper to the stars, "Please, just one more try" Ignorant to the signs, I refuse to say goodbye (CHORUS) Maybe this time, I'll finally break the spell Maybe this time, I'll find someone to tell All my secrets to, someone who'll stay through the night Maybe this time, I'll get it right Maybe this time, I'll finally see the light Turn the doubts into dreams, rewrite my story somehow Every new face a chance, a shot at something real Telling myself I'm healing, even when I still feel the deal Hope's a reckless fire, burns brighter with each fall But deep down, I believe I can outlove it all And I keep chasing shadows, thinking they'll turn to gold Holding onto visions of a love I've never known This cycle spins around, but I refuse to let it end Maybe this time, I swear I'll find a true brave friend (CHORUS) Maybe this time, I'll finally break the spell Maybe this time, I'll find someone to tell All my secrets to, someone who'll stay through the night Maybe this time, I'll get it right Maybe this time, I'll finally see the light Turn the doubts into dreams, rewrite my story somehow Every dizzying hope, a whisper in my ear Telling me the past is gone, that love is near But the truth's a melody I keep singing over and over Still I cling to this belief — that maybe I'll be sober (CHORUS) Maybe this time, I'll finally break the spell Maybe this time, I'll find someone to tell All my secrets to, someone who'll stay through the night Maybe this time, I'll get it right Maybe this time, I'll finally see the light Turn the doubts into dreams, rewrite my story somehow

I read the signs but they don't say what I need to hear Finger on the trigger, but I doubt if you're sincere You're spinning words around me, like a game I can't escape Pull me in, then shove me out, no promises to keep or break You say one thing, then do the opposite in the dark Playing with my patience, you're lighting fires, leaving scars to mark I'm tired of your puzzles, tired of chasing shadows in the rain Your words are like a dagger, pushing me to feel the pain (CHORUS) Mixed signals, tell me, what's real and what's pretend? You're a loaded gun, and I don't know how much more I can lend Hope or heartbreak, I'm hanging on a thread you tear apart Stop feeding me lies, I've had enough of your false start Mixed signals, I'm over deciphering your game Can't keep running in circles, I refuse to be played again You're a master of disguise, hiding behind your dirty Lies I'm falling harder, but it's just another trick to compromise Every word you whisper echoes hollow in my mind I see through your disguise, I'm done being blind (CHORUS) Mixed signals, tell me, what's real and what's pretend? You're a loaded gun, and I don't know how much more I can lend Hope or heartbreak, I'm hanging on a thread you tear apart Stop feeding me lies, I've had enough of your false start Mixed signals, I'm over deciphering your game Can't keep running in circles, I refuse to be played again This faking, this breaking, it's a cycle I despise Holding onto nothing but your spun-up lies I won't be your crash test dummy, falling for your charade Cut the wires, I'm done with the masquerade (CHORUS) Mixed signals, tell me, what's real and what's pretend? You're a loaded gun, and I don't know how much more I can lend Hope or heartbreak, I'm hanging on a thread you tear apart Stop feeding me lies, I've had enough of your false start Mixed signals, I'm over deciphering your game Can't keep running in circles, I refuse to be played again

I swear I saw this coming, still I dive right in Twice the feeling, twice the burn, don't know how to quit again Every pattern's spinning, I'm caught inside the maze Knowing all the exits but I choose the narrow ways Guess I love the thrill of losing sight, don't I? Dance in the flames, I know I'll get burned, but I just can't say goodbye It's the same old story, but I swear I'm surprised Laughing at myself, I'm the fool who keeps the disguise (CHORUS) Every time I see the stitches in the scar, I know I should walk away, but here I are Chasing ghosts I swear I've seen before, Pattern recognition, knocking at my door I'm my own worst enemy, that's the truth, But I wear my reckless heart like a damn tattoo Yeah, I see the cycle spinning 'round, so clear, And I clap my hands because I got no fear Telling myself this time I'll break the chain, But I'm just rewriting every line again Like I'm dancing to a song I wrote in pain, Knowing full well I'm gonna play the same game It's the thrill, the chaos, calling my name, Laughing in the mirror, loving all the shame Predictable rhythm, but it feels so new, That sweet, sad melody I can't undo (CHORUS) Every time I see the stitches in the scar, I know I should walk away, but here I are Chasing ghosts I swear I've seen before, Pattern recognition, knocking at my door I'm my own worst enemy, that's the truth, But I wear my reckless heart like a damn tattoo Yeah, I see the cycle spinning 'round, so clear, And I clap my hands because I got no fear Bridge: It's haunted me since I was young, I swear I knew better, But I wear these scars like medals, I keep chasing forever Spinning in circles, and I love the dizzy high, Knowing full well I'm just a fool who loves to try (CHORUS) Every time I see the stitches in the scar, I know I should walk away, but here I are Chasing ghosts I swear I've seen before, Pattern recognition, knocking at my door I'm my own worst enemy, that's the truth, But I wear my reckless heart like a damn tattoo Yeah, I see the cycle spinning 'round, so clear, And I clap my hands because I got no fear

I keep coming back to the same old song, Pretending I don't know where it belongs, A melody I've played so many times before, Thinking maybe this time, I'll break down the door. Caught in the rhythm I swore I'd leave behind, Falling for shadows I know I can't find, But I hold on tight, whispering, "This could be right," Even when I see the dawn's fading light. (CHORUS) Maybe this time will be different, I swear, Maybe I'll finally catch the air, I know I'm chasing what never stays, But I can't stop hoping, I can't walk away. This is the same old song, just a different tune, Dancing alone in the silver moon, Fighting myself to believe, That maybe love's not just a fantasy. Spent too many nights dreaming in vain, Wishing the hurt would just disappear again, But every goodbye sounds familiar and true, Still, I tell myself, "This time, I'll pull through." Living for the spark that I know won't ignite, Holding onto ghosts in the pale moonlight, I tell my heart, "One more time, it might change," Lost in the echo of these heartbreaks I arrange. (CHORUS) Maybe this time will be different, I swear, Maybe I'll finally catch the air, I know I'm chasing what never stays, But I can't stop hoping, I can't walk away. This is the same old song, just a different tune, Dancing alone in the silver moon, Fighting myself to believe, That maybe love's not just a fantasy. And I wonder if I'll ever learn, Or if my heart will forever burn, For the fire that I keep trying to find, In anyone who's left me behind. (CHORUS) Maybe this time will be different, I swear, Maybe I'll finally catch the air, I know I'm chasing what never stays, But I can't stop hoping, I can't walk away. This is the same old song, just a different tune, Dancing alone in the silver moon, Fighting myself to believe, That maybe love's not just a fantasy.

I know he's just a ghost I chase in my mind, A flicker in the dark I keep trying to find, Every word he says is like a whisper I memorize, Knowing he's a maybe, but I'm still willing to compromise. It's the thrill of the game, the heartbreak in disguise, Waiting in shadows, burnin' with longing and lies, I tell myself I'll walk away, but I never do, Falling for rarities I know aren't true. I paint his picture clear in my head every night, Caught in the static of wrong and right, Dancing on the edge, I'm addicted to the pain, Knowing I'll keep coming back, again and again. It's the comfort in chaos, the poison I crave, A love that's a prison I'm too afraid to save, I keep my heart a secret, but my eyes give it all away, Chasing the impossible just to feel I'm alive today. Hold onto the hope like it's all I've ever known, Even when it's hollow, even when I'm all alone, 'Cause loving the distant feels easier than the real, Even if it's cursed, it's the only love I feel. And I wonder if someday I'll finally break free, Or if I'll be stuck in this endless chase of what I can't see, But for now I drown in the same old song, Knowing I'm my own biggest love, knowing I don't belong.

I stand at the edge between what's real and just a dream Caught in the silence where we're closer than I seem Your shadow lingers, dancing just beyond my reach A whisper calling softly, but it's never what I seek I chase the flicker in your eyes that's almost mine Falling for a glimpse, a spark I can't define Never quite enough to hold beneath the weight of doubt But I can feel the story spinning all around (CHORUS) It's the art of almost, the beauty in the break Holding onto fragments, afraid to let them escape I'm drawn to the horizon where the edge is softly blurred Loving in the almost, knowing it's the only way I've learned To feel alive while knowing I'll never quite arrive In the space between what's real and what I hide I've built my castles out of might-have-beens and scent of air A palace of the hollow, built on thoughts that aren't there Every touch is a ghost, every smile a tease of light Living for the moments when day slips into night I wonder what's behind the curtain, what I'll never see Is it the chase that keeps me longing, or the key to just being free? The heart's a restless traveler, never settling down Lost in the promise of what's almost found (CHORUS) It's the art of almost, the melody of maybe Dancing on the edges of what is and what's shady Clinging to the echoes, shadows in the dark Loving in the almost, where there's fire without a spark Living for the thrill of nearly holding tight In the space between the wrong and right And maybe it's the puzzle, the puzzle I can't solve An ache that's bittersweet, a mystery unresolved I chase the flicker, I chase the glow Knowing all I ever want's just a shadow I can't hold close (CHORUS) It's the art of almost, the whisper in the wind Loving what's forbidden, loving what's within The moment just before the fall, the breath before the cry That's where I find my truth, in the love that's passing by Caught in the art of almost, dancing with the air A love that's never finished, a dream beyond compare