Seconds

To the second girl who sits in his passenger’s seat, please get him to stop using his phone. Driving on the buttons in the road and near death experiences are so not funny. But when you’re taking late night drives let the lights illuminate and dim as if the days are running past you with him as your navigator. Admire him when he changes gears and the car speeds up to synchronize with your heartbeat.

To the second girl who shares the intricacies of his touch, explore with him new adventures. Don’t let his touch grow cold. When he holds you at the nape of your neck with one hand and draws circles on your back with another, you will wonder why your hearts were ever filled with hostility. Laugh with him. In a time you’re at your most vulnerable, I promise, with him you will never feel exposed. He’s sharing with you his whole self so don’t take him for granted. Just help him out; he’s kind of new to this stuff.

To the second girl who is privileged enough to spend hours of dusk ’til dawn with him, the only thing better than falling asleep in his arms is waking up still entangled in them.

To the second girl who may find herself in love with him, know that you’re good enough. Not everything is meant to be a race. Second place is not the first to lose because the goal was never to finish first, the goal is to finish. Love him as though the past before you has been erased. Don’t be scared to love him with all you have and may he reciprocate your love just as well.

To the first boy I have ever loved, I’m sorry I couldn’t be the last.