(Verse 1) They said “optional,” smiled real sweet Put it in the email, small print neat “No pressure,” “just for fun” Funny how the list still got everyone I skipped one night, chose sleep instead Woke up branded in something unsaid Didn’t wear the costume, didn’t play the part Didn’t bare my soul for departmental art (Pre-Chorus) They said “no judgment,” laughed it off But the silence after felt like a cough In a room where everyone heard But nobody wrote down a word (Chorus) Optional, but not really You’re free, but not completely Smile or it follows you home Say no and you’re on your own Optional, but not really It’s casual, but keep it weekly Miss one cue, miss your place They won’t say it—but it stays (Verse 2) Group chat popping at 2 a.m. Jokes I don’t get, faces I pretend I logged off early, chose my head Next day feels like something’s dead They say “you should’ve been there, wow” Like that explains the shift somehow No memo, no formal decree Just a colder tone when they speak to me (Pre-Chorus) You ask a question, polite, on time Now you’re “difficult,” “not aligned” Funny how “fit” becomes the test When you already passed the rest (Chorus) Optional, but not really You’re free, but not completely Show up tired, show up sick Just don’t be the one who missed Optional, but not really It’s friendly till it turns chilly They never say you failed the rule They just stop calling on you (Bridge – bright music, dark lyrics) It’s not mandatory— Just remembered It’s not required— Just recorded Participation’s “organic” here But absence echoes louder than fear You don’t need to sign your name The room will do it all the same (Final Chorus) Optional, but not really Compliance wrapped in conviviality Laugh along, don’t ask why Belonging shouldn’t feel like a lie Optional, but not really Soft control, dressed up silly If the price of staying sane Is being quietly blamed (Outro) They never punished me outright. They just stopped pretending I belonged.
