17 seconds to midnight

You said: We should talk like it was breaking news
And I showed up in my maybe-seducing shoes
You looked nervous, I looked bored
You leaned in close, I checked the door

Your cologne said maybe, your eyes said soon
The Moon was watching, so was the room
We were almost something
But you blinked too soon

Seventeen seconds to midnight
You almost kissed me but changed your mind
Like, cool, no pressure, just my whole night
Built around your maybe this time
You held the moment like a champagne glass
Then spilled it, slow, like secondhand class
Seventeen seconds, I stood there cute
Midnight struck–
And you said: Shoot

I practiced comebacks in the mirror light
Should've gone with bye, or boy, not tonight
But I just smiled like a well-trained fool
You said: You look nice
Thanks, so do you

We were poetry waiting to misbehave
But you left us stuck on the almost-page
We were almost reckless
But you played safe

Seventeen seconds to midnight
I was one deep breath from changing your life
And you were one soft no from breaking mine
You held back–how original, right?
We danced around it like a prom cliché
I wore glitter, you wore maybe someday
Seventeen seconds, then you let go
Midnight hit
And I said: Figures though

You had your shot, babe, spoiler alert
I don't do sequels when the draft still hurts
Call me dramatic, call me a mess
But at least I would've leaned in, I guess

Seventeen seconds to midnight
Felt more like a lifetime under strobe lights
I deserved the kiss, or the crash, or both
Not your polite little almost-oath
So next time you're thinking: Maybe think fast
'Cause this girl doesn't wait for the past
Seventeen seconds, now I'm long gone
Midnight came
And I moved on