Fake Smiles

(Verse 1) I learned to smile with a storm in my chest, Tell everybody I'm good, hide the holes in my vest. Got memories that follow me, they don't sleep at night, Just shadows in the hallway when I'm reaching for the light. Mama said, "Keep going," so I carried all the pain, Turned tears into routines, let them wash me in the rain. People only see the surface, never see the cracks, Never hear the lonely conversations in my tracks. I gave my heart to people who just needed a place, Stayed loyal to the ones who couldn't look me in the face. Spent years being strong till I forgot how to bend, Started feeling like a stranger trying to call myself a friend. (Hook) I'm tired of fighting wars nobody knows I've fought, Building up a kingdom from the pieces that I lost. Screaming in my mind but all they hear is confidence, Trying to find peace underneath the weight of silence. I'm carrying ghosts that don't show in photographs, Smiling for the moment while I'm breaking in the aftermath. If healing takes time, then I'm learning to be patient, 'Cause even broken hearts can beat with dedication. (Verse 2) Had nights where the ceiling knew more than my friends, Watching old dreams fade, wondering how this ends. Questioning my worth every time I made mistakes, Trying to hold oceans back behind tired eyes that ache. But pain taught lessons love was scared to explain, How to stand up alone when you're drowning in the rain. How forgiveness ain't weakness, it's letting go of chains, And growth is looking back and not becoming what remains. I still got scars, I just don't let them define me, Still got fears, but I don't let them confine me. If tomorrow comes, I'll meet it with a different view, Not because I'm fearless, just because I finally knew— (Outro) That healing isn't pretty, it ain't music in the sky, It's getting out of bed when every part of you asks why. It's learning you deserve the love you gave away for free, And finding out the person you were searching for was you beneath the debris.