A Quiet Little Riot Got way too good at saying, “Either’s fine” They stopped asking what I even liked A smile could keep everyone happy But somehow, I got left outside Pulled out chairs before they even asked Held somebody’s bags upon my lap “You get it, right? You always do” I could use some understanding, too Every word I swallowed down Stayed stuck somewhere inside my throat Today, I didn’t wash them down I brought them to my lips instead No One little word, and the room went quiet My voice was shaking But my answer never wavered With the same soft face For once, I’m not just playing along That smile I always saved for you I kinda need to give myself one, too A quiet little riot Got my own back when I say it “Wow, I didn’t think you’d be like that” Almost hit you with, “My bad” My mouth kicked in on autopilot I closed it, took a breath, and held back Caught my face in the glass heading home A little drained, a little unfamiliar Yeah, somebody was pissed at me I took myself home without the blame This hand was always reaching out Like everyone else came first I wrapped it round my other hand And felt how cold it had become No One little word I couldn’t say till now My voice was shaking But my answer never wavered With the same soft face For once, I’m not just playing along That smile I always saved for you I kinda need to give myself one, too A quiet little riot Got my own back when I say it Tomorrow, I’ll freak out again Lie awake like, “Did I go too far?” But if I’d just said yes back there I would’ve left myself behind again Instead of, “Sorry, my bad” I said, “Here’s what I want” Softly, to the mirror This time, I kept my head up through it all No And just like that, I could finally breathe My voice was shaking But my answer never wavered With the same soft face Yeah, this time I’m not backing down That seat I always saved for someone else? Today, I let myself sit down A quiet little riot My voice is small, but it’s still mine “You cool with either?” This time, when they asked me I picked the one I actually liked
