Part 2The Side Character's Study Guide to Love

The atmosphere in the Honors Class was different.

Here, I wasn't a freak. Everyone studied during breaks; everyone formed groups to discuss calculus problems.

I stabilized my grades, ranking near the top. I followed Ethan and Chloe to the same prestigious high school.

Based on entrance exam scores, I barely scraped into the same homeroom as Ethan. He was number one. I was third from the bottom.

Chloe, however, fell into a regular class.

The author separated them to create drama. Chloe would meet the Second Male Lead, Jax, in her new class, sparking jealousy and angst.

None of that concerned me. I just studied.

For two years, Ethan and I had zero interaction, aside from being classmates.

We were the kind of people who passed each other in the hall without even nodding.

He genuinely didn't care.

I was faking it. My heart would hammer against my ribs every time I saw him, but I kept my face paralyzed.

Good job, Maya, I told myself.

Since I was buried in books, my fake friendship with Chloe faded. By the time middle school ended, she’d basically forgotten me.

But in high school, she suddenly became friendly again.

She said I was studying myself into an early grave and needed to relax.

Once, she invited me to hang out with her and Ethan.

Did I want to go? No. I’d rather do practice sets.

But she insisted. I figured I could just watch them and review my wrong answers in my head.

When we got to the location, my brain short-circuited.

It was the theme park.

According to the plot, this was where they would have their first kiss.

It was the start of their official relationship.

My mind was a mess. I don't remember what I ate or did.

When night fell, the park lit up with dreamlike lights. Chloe dragged Ethan to watch the fireworks. I trailed twenty paces behind, getting jostled by the crowd.

Under the exploding fireworks, they confessed.

Chloe stood on her tiptoes and shyly kissed Ethan.

It was too beautiful. I couldn't watch.

I looked down in panic, tears falling onto my vocabulary cards.

I fled.

I texted Chloe a lie about my curfew and ran.

She didn't reply. They had already forgotten me.

While they held hands, young and resolute, I, the third wheel, ran home wiping my eyes.

In my empty house, I broke down and sobbed.

I’m sorry.

I really couldn't pretend anymore.

But even while gasping for air, I pulled out a workbook and forced myself to solve equations.

Unrequited love is torture, especially when you have nothing else.

My only advantage was that I had lived a life before.

I knew education was power.

And I knew not to destroy myself over a love that had no future.