Thought We Were Brothers. Turns Out I Was Just Backup.

We met in the summer, young and wild,

Two dumb teens with that troublemaker smile.

Started as strangers, turned boys real quick,

Shared laughs, secrets — the bond was thick.

Talked ‘bout girls, dreams, and future plans,

Chillin’ late night with our empty hands.

Life felt lighter when he was around,

We held each other down — real solid ground.

He called me “bro” like I was blood,

Trusted him deep, through thick and mud.

Through heartbreaks, fights, and schoolyard lies,

We never switched up, no goodbyes.

Then one day, something felt off.

His texts got shorter, his tone went soft.

No more jokes, no check-ins late,

I brushed it off — thought it was fate.

But gut feelings don’t lie, and mine screamed loud.

He was out there moving with a brand new crowd.

Started seeing snaps he never shared,

Laughing with dudes like I was never there.

I hit him up, said “Yo, we good?”

He said “Of course, bro. You misunderstood.”

But I wasn’t dumb. I saw the signs.

Our chapter was closing, between the lines.

Then I heard from someone else’s mouth,

He said I was “clingy” and needed help.

That I “couldn’t take a hint” and wouldn’t let go,

Like I was some sidekick stuck in his shadow.

That cut deep. Deeper than fights.

‘Cause I never switched, I stayed through nights

Where he was down bad and needed a friend.

I held him down. I was there ‘til the end.

I ain’t wanna be petty, or play that game,

But damn — how quick people forget your name.

So I ghosted. Quiet. No final text.

He ain’t deserve closure. I left him perplexed.

Watched him peep my stories, tryin’ to see,

If I was cool or hurting silently.

But I was leveling up, healing real slow,

Grieving a brother I used to know.

He tried to come back like nothin’ went down,

But I already knew he’d let me drown.

Some people love you when they’re low,

Then ditch you soon as they start to glow.

I’m not a backup, not plan B,

I’m not your comfort or therapy.

I’m not the friend you call when you’re bored,

Or the loyal one you’ve always ignored.

I deserved better — that’s the truth.

Someone who valued me since our youth.

Not a switch-up when the clout came near,

Not a fade-away when the skies were clear.

So here’s to the bonds that rot and fade,

To the fake friends and the trust they played.

I ain’t bitter, just learned the cost

Of holding on too long to what’s already lost.

And if you reading this thinking it’s you,

Yeah — lace that shoe, if the size fits true.

I won’t name names, I won’t start fights,

But real ones don’t need streetlights.

They shine in silence, stay ten toes down,

Stick with you when no one’s around.

And you? You ain’t built like that.

You dipped quick, then crept right back.

But I moved on, got tighter circles,

No more vibes that feel commercial.

Real friendships ain’t based on trend,

They last, they fight, they don’t pretend.

So if you ever wonder why I’m gone,

Why the laughs and the late talks feel withdrawn —

Just know you taught me one hard fact:

Some people leave, and never look back.

But me? I grow. I learn, I bend.

Not every loss needs to mend.

Sometimes pain writes the cleanest page.

And walking away? That’s strength. Not rage.

So this is closure, my final line.

To the “bro” who stopped making time.

We were almost something real, no doubt.

But almost doesn’t count when you sell out