Second Best

I don't suppose you know what it's like, to be second best. Or not even second, but third or fourth – somewhere so far down the line no-one can be bothered to count. I don't suppose you know what it's like to be overlooked. Remember those children's stories about invisibility cloaks? You longed for one, I'm sure. You laughed about how much fun it would be. You never thought how lonely it would feel. You never wondered what would happen if you couldn't take it off. I don't suppose you know how it feels to start each day thinking I can't, to know before you try that nothing will work out. I don't suppose you know what it's like to watch you – with your looks and your money, your glitter and your shine, your easy confidence. They say jealousy comes in shades of green, but this feels more like the heavy velvet blue of a midnight sky.
 

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