Boy in the class

Quarter to nine, the school bell rings
Left too early, still feels late
Oversized hoodie, head pulled low
Praying no one sees how small he feels today

He walks inside, the class is quiet
A chair too loud, the moment sticks
Whispered laughs, a look too long
He disappears but still exists

I was that kid in the back of the room
Trying not to be seen
Counting the minutes till the day was done
Wondering who I could be

When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
I don’t see the fear, I see the fight
What a waste of all those years
Not knowing he’d survive
When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
That boy inside the class

Thin frame, voice too soft
Always picked last, never loud
Dreams too big for the space he took
Trying to breathe in a crowded crowd

They don’t hear the wars in his head
Or the strength it takes just to stay
Every day he shows up anyway
Even when he wants to run away

I was that kid, breaking quietly
Learning how to stand
Building something out of nothing
With shaking hands

When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
I don’t see the doubt, I see the fight
What a waste of all those years
Not knowing he’d survive
When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
That boy inside the class

If I could talk to him now
I’d say, hold on, you’re not alone
Every scar you’re hiding now
Is proof of how far you’ll go

You don’t need to be louder
You don’t need to be tough
Just keep breathing, keep believing
You are already enough

When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
I don’t see the past, I see the rise
All those days he felt invisible
Were shaping his spine
When I look back now, I’m proud of that boy
That boy inside the class

That boy inside the class

Acoustic pop, male