To You, I'm Only a Friend

I see it in your eyes the way they light up when you talk about them. The way your voice lifts, the way your hands move, tracing the outline of someone who isn't me.

I listen. I always do. Because that’s what friends do, right?

I laugh when you laugh, even though sometimes, it stings. I give advice when you ask for it, even when my heart begs me not to. I stand by your side, watching as you chase a love that isn’t mine to give.

And when your heart breaks, when they let you down, when they don’t see your worth, I am the one who stays. I hold your hand as you cry, telling you that you deserve better, knowing deep down, I could be better.

But you never see it.

You never notice the way I look at you, how my smiles linger just a second longer than they should. How I memorize the way you say my name, as if holding onto it will somehow bring me closer to you. You never realize how every late night talk, every shared secret, every moment where our laughter fills the silence is another thread pulling me deeper into a love you will never return.

To you, I am a safe place. A comfort. A friend.

But to me?

You are everything.

And maybe one day, you’ll see me the way I see you. Or maybe you never will.

And I’ll have to learn to let go.