I say I don’t want love right now, say I’m focused on myself, say I’m not…

I say I don’t want love right now, say I’m focused on myself, say I’m not looking for nobody— but that ain’t the truth. The truth is, I want somebody to stay. Somebody to know my silence without me explaining it. Somebody whose name feels like peace when life gets loud. I tell people I’m choosing myself, and maybe I am— but not because I don’t want love. It’s because love makes me weak in places I try so hard to protect. I act like I’m not ready, like my heart got time, like I’m okay alone.