Sidewalk Shadow

[Intro – gentle acoustic guitar arpeggios, soft piano hum] Streetlights bleed into the gray I’m counting steps to walk away [Verse 1 – quiet strums, faint shaker rhythm] You laughed at jokes I didn’t hear Plans made when I wasn’t near Your group chat pings while I sit still Wondering why I’m always the one left until [Pre-Chorus – building piano, soft vocal harmonies] The door closes before I reach the frame Your smiles fade when I say my name I’m learning how to breathe in empty spaces Hiding all the quiet, unspoken places [Chorus – full acoustic guitar, warm piano swells] I’m the sidewalk shadow you don’t see Walking alone where we used to be You’re all tangled up in your new scene Leaving me to fight this quiet in between I’m the last one picked, the afterthought Learning to carry all my thoughts No hand to hold when the dark gets thick Just me and this lonely, sinking trick [Verse 2 – slightly louder strums, subtle bass line] You posted photos of your new crew (photos of your new crew) Grins so bright, I almost knew (I almost knew) The inside jokes I’ll never get (never ever ever get oh) The memories that I’ll never forget (The memories that ill never forget) [Pre-Chorus – layered vocals, rising piano] The texts slow down, then stop completely Your calls go straight to voicemail quietly I’m learning how to fill the silence Cover up the cracks with false defiance [Chorus – intensified instrumentation, emotional vocals] I’m the sidewalk shadow you don’t see (you dont see oh) Walking alone where we used to be You’re all tangled up in your new scene Leaving me to fight this quiet in between I’m the last one picked, the afterthought Learning to carry all my thoughts No hand to hold when the dark gets thick Just me and this lonely, sinking trick [Bridge – stripped back acoustic guitar, raw vocals] I thought we’d be the ones to last But you found a world that moved too fast I’m still here, stuck in our old lane Wondering how to start again [Solo – soft piano melody, gentle guitar strums] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – full band, soaring harmonies] I’m the sidewalk shadow you don’t see Walking alone where we used to be You’re all tangled up in your new scene Leaving me to fight this quiet in between I’m no longer waiting for your call Learning to stand through every fall No hand to hold, but I’m still here Finding my way through the lonely, quiet fear [Outro – fading acoustic guitar, soft piano note] Streetlights dim as the night winds down I’m finally learning to walk my own ground ground...ground