By the time I turned fourteen, I finally understood what this feeling was. It wasn't just admiration, it wasn't just a passing crush—I loved him.
For years, I had secretly watched him, appreciating every little thing about him. He had grown even more handsome, and as expected, he was always surrounded by people—especially girls. But I had no right to complain. I was just someone who liked him from afar, nothing more.
When I was twelve, he was my deskmate, but that had changed. Now, we were just normal classmates. However, when I was thirteen, I gathered the courage to talk to him, little by little. It took me an entire year to become his friend. Just his friend. And I was happy with that.
Aryan was sweet, caring, and effortlessly charming. How could I not fall for him? I wanted to be with him, to spend more time by his side, but I knew that was impossible. I didn't have the courage to ask him out, nor did I have the confidence to confess my feelings.
And then, she arrived.
A transfer student. Beautiful, confident, and full of life. The moment she walked into the school, she caught everyone's attention, just like the main lead in a love story.
And I? I was just the second lead.
Her name was Lina. She was everything I wasn't—bold, graceful, and unafraid. She knew how to attract people effortlessly, including Aryan.
I didn't need anyone to tell me what was happening. I knew him well enough to understand his heart. I saw the way he looked at her. I saw the way he was drawn to her, as if he had been waiting for her all along.
For the first time, I experienced heartbreak.
An unfamiliar pain twisted inside me, something unbearable and unexplainable. It was jealousy, sadness, and helplessness mixed together. And the worst part? This was just the beginning.
How many times would I have to endure this? How many moments would I have to watch him fall for someone else while I stood in the background?
Lina was the center of attention, the kind of girl who turned heads wherever she went. She knew how to capture a man's heart without even trying.
And me?
I couldn't even get him to look at me the same way.
This was the cruel fate of the second lead.