She stood in the shadows nearby gazing quietly as he danced with her.  Their closeness made her heart ache--ache for him, his smile, his laughter, his love.  She yearned to be the one in his arms.  But, alas, that could only happen in her dreams.  And even then, her dreams still weren't reality...because every time she woke up, her heart still ached.

I want you to be happy
Your my best friend
But it's so hard to let you go now
All that could have been
I'll always have the memories
She'll always have you
Fate has a way of changing
Just when you don't want it to

Everyday, her heart and her mind fought a silent battle.  Her logic quarreled that she had to let him go.  It was the only way for her to ever be happy.  Her love for him fought against that logic.  She knew deep in her heart, she would never be truly happy without his love.  Instead, she would stand and watch.

Throw away the chains
Let love fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay
Life passes so quickly
You gotta take the time
Or you'll miss what really matters
You'll miss all the signs
I've spent my life searching
For what was always there
Sometimes it will be too late
Sometimes it won't be fair

She wished he would open his eyes and see what was in front of him.  She wished she had the courage to tell him.  She saw his head turn toward her direction.  Once again,  he didn't notice her...standing so close...but yet so far.  His head turned back and he continued dancing...dancing with her, oblivious to her aching heart.

Throw away the chains
Let love fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay
I won't give up
I won't give in
I can't recreate what just might have been
I know that my heart will find love again
Now is the time to begin

She wanted to hate the object of his affection, but she couldn't.  The other girl made him happy and that was all that mattered.  His happiness.  Then why was it tearing her apart?  She couldn't be selfish; but, oh, how she wished for once in her life, she could.

It seemed that was the way it would always be--watching them dance as she stood in the shadows, fighting the inner battle of logic and love as her heart ached...forever and always.

Throw away the chains
Let love fly away
Till love comes again
I'll be okay
I'll be okay
I'll be okay
I can't hold on forever baby
I can't hold on forever baby
I can't hold on forever baby
I'll be okay
         -Amanda Mandall "I'll Be Okay"