you led someone on, knowing they liked you.

you saw the way they waited for your messages, the way they instantly responded

like your words were the air they needed to breathe.

and still,

you left them waiting, on read, on edge,

wondering what they did wrong while you ignored them

because you didn't feel like replying.

you knew.

you knew how they felt

every time you gave them an inch and pulled back a mile. you watched them try harder, convince themselves

that if they just gave a little more, you'd finally see them the way they saw you.

but you didn't. you never did.

you liked the way they made you feel-important, desired, needed.

and when they started to pull away, when they finally gave up, you didn't stop them. because deep down,

you knew you never really cared.

and yet,

when it happened to you— when someone left your messages unanswered, when someone didn't care the way you hoped they would-

you played the victim.

you cried about being led on, about feeling invisible, about how unfair it all was.

but now,

as you sit with the ache they left behind, you can't ignore the echo of your own actions. because you know what it feels like now, don't you?

to be the one who gives everything to someone who only gives enough to keep you hanging on.

maybe that's the worst part of all-

realizing you've become the very hurt

you can't seem to heal from.