i would let you braid my pretty pink hair

i wouldn't dare tell you it'll all be okay
but id say it'll start to get better one day
i'll hold your hand and cover your ears
kiss your head, wipe away your tears
i'm nothing like what you imagined
but i hope you're not disappointed

there wasn't a finish line, never will be
you pushed through 'cause you wanted a prize
pretended to be happy so i'm not lonely
and let everything eat you inside out
but now i have days where i'm not faking
just know, we don't have to fake it much more

you were wrong about so many little things
the cake at my 17th birthday was delicious
and i think my 18th will taste even better
sometimes i will raise my hand in class
i see your scars and i feel a little proud
i'll live the rest of life scarred and not wounded
and i promise you'll love your body one day
you'll cut and dye your hair a thousand times
and at some point you'll learn to love our smile

you were too young and didn't understand
and i'm too young, and i don't understand
there won't ever be a day of understanding
sometimes people will just take what's not theirs
it won't be your fault, not your fault, not my fault
you won't deserve it, i didn't deserve it
you're going to cry but it's going to be okay
the scars will be ugly but i promise they'll heal

not everyone will end up leaving you
people will love you and people will stay with you
just close your eyes and start counting up the days
you'll be the teenager you always wanted to be