I Got Quieter, But the Love Stayed Loud

We were just two kids on a couch, tangled in controller cords You kissed me mid-game, said, “Baby, you’re my reward” You taught me the rules, held my hand through the start I was learning the games, but I was losing my heart Late nights, loud laughs, energy drinks and quiet sighs I memorized your smile like I memorized the skies Now your chair’s still warm, but your voice is gone How’d forever feel so short when it felt so strong? You left the game on pause, but you left me stuck in play I keep rewinding memories like they’ll make you stay You were home on my couch, love in pixel and part Now you’re just a ghost still logged in to my heart We stopped hanging out… but I never signed out Your hoodie’s still draped on the side of my bed And the echo of laughter still rings in my head You said, “Just one more round,” but that round never came Now I’m player one in this one-player game Your toothbrush still waits like you’ll walk through the door But your name on my phone don’t light up anymore We were so alive in our little screen-lit world Now it’s just me, a condo, and a memory curled You left the game on pause, but you left me stuck in play I keep rewinding memories like they’ll make you stay You were home on my couch, love in pixel and part Now you’re just a ghost still logged in to my heart We stopped hanging out… but I never signed out Maybe someday you’ll look back at our saves And feel a little ache for the love we gave But if you ever restart, know I’ll be okay Just another level I had to face So I’ll power down slow, and I’ll breathe through the ache No continues, no cheat codes, just space I must take But if love is a game, then at least I played true Even if in the end… I lost you