Boundaries

You stare like you’re searching for clues like you’re sure I’ll give something away and I feel that little pull you use to turn my quiet into your way Your voice drops low like it’s casual but the angle’s always intentional you treat my space as flexible like I’m supposed to bend around you You say you’re “just being friendly” but your friendly keeps creeping in and every step you take toward me feels less like chance, more like a win Don’t call me sensitive for saying something when every look keeps landing wrong you keep pretending it’s nothing when it’s been something all along Don’t hide your motive behind a grin you want more than you admit you’re not talking to the person I am just the version you’ve invented of it You use my silence like a loophole twist it softer than I meant turn “no” into “maybe she might” just because I stayed present You keep your hands polite, but close right at the edge of where I’d move and act surprised when I shift away like I owe you some kind of proof You say “I didn’t mean it that way” but you only say it when I speak intent doesn’t change the feeling and the feeling’s been getting bleak Don’t call me sensitive for saying something when every look keeps landing wrong you keep pretending it’s nothing when it’s been something all along Don’t hide your motive behind a grin you want more than you admit you’re not talking to the person I am just the version you’ve invented of it I’m done letting you rewrite moments to make yourself seem harmless I won’t shrink down just to soothe the stories you build around me I’m not here to manage your comfort or soften the truth you don’t want my lines aren’t fading anymore they’re right where I put them Don’t call me sensitive for naming it don’t call it kindness when it’s not I won’t stay quiet to make you feel better or pretend you never crossed the spot You don’t get to choose what I allow you don’t get to guess what I want my voice is clear, and you’ll hear it now because silence only helped you once