We wanted more

We wanted to escape our parents and be on our own

We didn't want to explain ourselves

Where we were going

How long we'd be there

And whether or not we'd walk home alone

We wanted more distance

And they wanted more love

With every step they took toward us

We took three away

We had given too much

And we needed it all back

State lines were the barriers that kept us sane

The space that we desperately needed

So we wouldn't lose our minds

We try not to think about that too much

On the off chance that we might be wrong

Maybe we shouldn't be putting ourselves first

Maybe we should remember where we came from

We feel terrible

Every now and then

But then we remember why we felt so miserable in the first place

We tell ourselves that it isn't our fault

But we don't believe it

We just want to belong

But we know that we never will

Not there

Should we choose happiness

Or compliance

Cover up the mirror

And think of the actress

In the flowing white dress

About to go on stage

She wants it to feel the way that it used to

She knows that everyone is watching her

But she doesn't care

They want her to think about what she has done

How badly she has embarrassed everyone around her

And how terrible it is that she isn't giving it a second thought

But she sits in the dark

Alone

Thinking only of that

Every

Single

Night

She's sick of it

And they're just getting started

She can't stop thinking about

Being back there

Eyes closed

Lights off

Fan spinning

Trying to breath in time

But it only makes it worse

Hang tight, baby girl

We'll be there soon