The Second Place Friend
The Second/2nd Place Friend: Noun/Phrase
The second place friend is the person who is always “less” than their best friend or friend group. They may be less accomplished, come from a broken home, less well off, not as good of an academic performance, less noticed, or as they would put it less loved or less important.
You will often find that these are the disordered, minority, or more ill counterpart to the other person/people.
An example may be growing up with a best friend while being academically challenged, your friend will be ahead of you or more praised. If this situation continues on for your whole friendship you may just be a second place friend. This dynamic is often emotionally draining or even, occasionally, dangerous.
Though this does not necessarily mean you will be a second choice friend, it often results in you becoming one. It can feel like your friend(s) has everything while you have nothing.
If this is indeed your dynamic, a therapist might just be a good choice to look into.
The second place friend is the person who is always “less” than their best friend or friend group. They may be less accomplished, come from a broken home, less well off, not as good of an academic performance, less noticed, or as they would put it less loved or less important.
You will often find that these are the disordered, minority, or more ill counterpart to the other person/people.
An example may be growing up with a best friend while being academically challenged, your friend will be ahead of you or more praised. If this situation continues on for your whole friendship you may just be a second place friend. This dynamic is often emotionally draining or even, occasionally, dangerous.
Though this does not necessarily mean you will be a second choice friend, it often results in you becoming one. It can feel like your friend(s) has everything while you have nothing.
If this is indeed your dynamic, a therapist might just be a good choice to look into.
The Second Place Friend by Porcelain.Moth June 10, 2026
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