Tired.

I’m tired.

Not “need-a-nap” tired.

Not “school-was-long” tired.

I’m tired in a way that reaches all the way down to my ribs.

I don’t sleep much anymore.

I stay up listening.

Not for music.

Not for something peaceful.

But for the screech of her tires across the road.

Because I’ve learned that pain has a sound.

And silence doesn’t always mean safety.

I don’t even know what rest is supposed to feel like.

My body never lets go.

There’s always one more worry, one more “what if,”

One more hour waiting for the worst.

And somehow, I still get up every day

Still chase my dreams.

Still pretend I’m okay.

But I’m tired.

So tired.