To those who feel like backup friends:

I’ve lost count of how many times I questioned what was wrong with me, feeling like people didn’t really want me as their friend. I used to feel like I was just the backup friend—the one who wasn’t meant to be part of the plan, only called upon when their first choices were not available. I thought I must be the most uninteresting person ever. I always felt out of place, especially when I didn’t fit in with what everyone else seemed to enjoy. I guess I’ve always been the weird one, fascinated by small things that most people don’t even notice....