[Verse 1]
You asked me to be yours, well, you're tempting fate
How I left a promise but it’s one I can't make
Lord knows it'd kill me if you walked away
But darling, my lies, they hide you from the pain

[Chorus]
Stay, let me explain why I act so mean
Don’t look away, baby, it's not all that it seems
I'm so afraid that you'll just get up and leave
My heart will break like I'm 17

[Verse 2]
You're not the first one to leave me and you won't be the last
It just doesn't heave me like it did in the past
I will never be seen to act like you act
To take someone easy and leave it at that

[Chorus]
Stay, let me explain why I act so mean
Don’t look away, baby, it’s not all that it seems
I'm so afraid that you’ll just get up and leave
My heart will break like I'm 17
Break like I'm 17

[Bridge]
I say less than I should, I say more than I mean
I would try if I could, but I'm all I can be
If I had more I would change the cover, you see
I have walls that have stood before you ever loved me
Before you ever loved me
[Chorus]
Stay, let me explain why I act so mean
Don’t look away, baby, it's not all that it seems
I'm so afraid that you'll just get up and leave
My heart will break
Stay, let me explain why I act so mean
Don't look away, baby, it's not all that it seems
I'm so afraid that you'll just get up and leave
My heart will break like I'm 17
Break like I'm 17
Break like I'm 17