Third Ping

[ Lyrics ]

Third ping is a red flag—
third ping is a red flag.
 + glitched vocal chop fade-in

Phone buzzes, I freeze — no, not you again.
Two icons flash 'declined' before your name lit up on screen.
You think I don’t see the queue? The timing? The lies?
I’m flavor of the week when the main dish dies.
I stayed in, curled my hair, wore the dress I saved,
just in case you slipped through the cracks you made.
But you don’t want me first — you want me free,
the one who answers late and still pleases.

I used to jump, now I just stare,
watching your name hang in the air.
No rush to pick up, no 'where you been?'
I know the script — we’re at act three again.

Third ping’s the one that kills — third choice, third wheel,
third in line just to hear you say you're lonely.
Third ping lights up my screen — same script, same tone,
like I’m not the one you should’ve called home.
 Third. Choice. Again.

You miss my call once, I make an excuse.
Miss twice — I start to check my voice.
Now I see the pattern in the timestamps,
how you burn through two chances before you even ask.
I’m not mad — I’m clear-eyed now,
watching your game like a security feed on loop.
You don’t want love — you want a reset,
a soft place to land when your pride’s in debt.

So don’t fake the surprise, don’t stretch that 'hey,'
like you forgot my number — like I’m not displayed.
I know your rhythm, I know your need:
you don’t want me — you want relief.

You say, 'Heyyy, you up?' — voice like wine left out,
dripping sweet, but the bottle’s run dry.

I say nothing. I say no.
I don’t even breathe — let the silence show.

Third ping’s the one that kills — third flame, third wheel,
third chance to say I matter — but I know the deal.
Third ping lights up my screen — same game, same sin,
and I’m not the girl who answers when you wanna win.
Third. Choice. No more.

Third ping... I see it.
Dry vocal button, city hum fades)