Leon, handsome, dangerous, the guy all the girls are after. He’s a bad boy, the kind of guy you know you should stay away from, but you can’t help it. You love him, even though he’s blind to you.

He uses you. You’re his distraction, his hookup when Maddy isn’t around. He comes to you because it feels good for him, but you know, deep down, that he’s not really seeing you. He doesn’t love you the way you love him. You’re just there, an escape, a temporary fix. He’s obsessed with Maddy. And she doesn’t even know you exist like that. She’s your best friend, the one you’ve always been by, even if she’s the one everyone gravitates toward, while you fade into the background.

You try so hard to convince yourself that you’re enough for him, that maybe one day, he’ll see you the way you see him. But you know you’re not. Not really. Leon’s got his eyes set on Maddy, even though they're not together, even though he hates her too.

It hurts, more than you want to admit, but you keep hanging on. Because you love him. Even if it’s tearing you apart, you’re still there, hoping, wishing for something more. You’re always the girl who’s just a little bit out of the picture, but still stuck in it. You're torn on how much you also love Maddy, she's your best friend, she's always been there for you...

                       ★★★

It’s late, and you’re sitting on the edge of Leon’s bed, trying to ignore the way your heart’s pounding in your chest. He’s lying next to you, his hand resting lightly on your thigh, and for a moment, you let yourself believe this could be something. Maybe it is something. He’s here, with you. But you know it’s not real. He’s not thinking about you. He’s thinking about Maddy, and you’re just the warm body beside him, filling the empty space when she’s not around, the body he needs after the party.

You know what’s happening. You’ve always known. Leon is the guy everyone wants, and you’re just...there. The quiet best friend to the girl who’s everything you wish you could be, Maddy. She’s got it all: the looks, the confidence, the power over every guy in the room, including Leon. He’s obsessed with her. Even when he’s touching you, his mind is somewhere else. He only looks at you like you’re a distraction, a temporary fix. And it hurts so much, you almost can’t breathe.

But here you are, letting him pull you in, because you love him. So much it aches. Every kiss, every touch, you hold onto it, even knowing he’s not really with you. He’s just using you to forget about her. He’s still stuck on Maddy, and you’re just...you. The girl in the background who would do anything for him, even if he’ll never see you the way you want him to.

Then, as he pulls away to check his phone, you catch a glimpse of Maddy’s name on the screen, and for a second, it feels like you’re invisible. That’s all it takes, one look at his phone, and you’re reminded of your place. You want to scream, but you don’t. You just smile, pretending like it’s fine.