There is no saving me
no matter how hard you try
but I'll keep myself afloat
just for the sake of those depending on me
to keep their heads above water
and help them back to shore

I'll keep on smiling and laughing
hiding the darkness
that lurks just beneath the skin
and I'll keep being selfless
to save you before it's too late

I will hide the shattered pieces
so as not to burden you
and pretend I'm not dying on the inside
to keep from giving you false hope
I'll keep you safe from the harshness of the world
and carry the weight of our secrets
to save you from my fate
and I won't let my broken dying soul
seep through the cracks of my mask

I'll keep the side you don't see
behind locked doors
exactly where it needs to be
locked behind those doors and under
the bed inside my head

And I'll make sure all you see is the
vibrant color of my cheeks
and selfless nature
I'll keep you from the worst parts of me
because I can never be
the girl you thought you knew
I will always be
the monster lurking just beneath