K.

The day I met her, I loved her smile

Loved the way she lit up a room

Her laugh was contagious and so was her aura.

Meanwhile, I was the shy girl brought home to meet the parents.

The mom silently judging me while the dad struck light banter.

I was the girl introduced to your hometown friend.

The one you’ve known forever, the one who reads your mind, and somehow can’t read a room.

The one who continues to giggle so innocently as I hold back tears.

I was the jealous girl living in fear of disapproval and wondering if I would be enough.

Enough to fill that void of the girl who took your love first like a cherry.

Time passes from the visit, I convince myself I’m anxious and it’s all my fault.

For overthinking the way your hand grazed her back on her very special day that you wanted to make perfect.

Until you mention her at the mall so many times I lose count.

Like a recent family death her name lingers in our conversation, unspoken yet something’s off.

I later confess my fears of being second to a woman so beautifully charming I can’t even degrade her.

You tell me it’s all over and nothing with us will end, your love for her was never real.

But somehow my anxiety can feel the waves of the future crashing on this exact moment.

Someday, you’ll choose her, and I’ll be left with silver.