•  
    • Browse
    • Paid Stories
    • Editor's Picks
    • The Wattys
    • Adventure
    • Contemporary Lit
    • Diverse Lit
    • Fanfiction
    • Fantasy
    • Historical Fiction
    • Horror
    • Humor
    • LGBTQ+
    • Mystery
    • New Adult
    • Non-Fiction
    • Paranormal
    • Poetry
    • Romance
    • Science Fiction
    • Short Story
    • Teen Fiction
    • Thriller
    • Werewolf
    • Wattpad Picks
    • Editors' Choice
    • A latte love ☕💗
    • Dangerous Worlds 🧛‍♀️🧚🧟
    • From our Creators
    • Wattpad Studios Hits
    • Writing Contests
    • The Watty Awards
    • Community Happenings
    • Wattpad Ambassadors
      • Create a new storyCreate a new story
      • My Stories
      • Helpful writer resources
      • Wattpad programs & opportunities
      • Writing contests
    Try Premium
    Log in Sign Up
    Paid story
    How To Be The Best Third Wheel
    How To Be The Best Third Wheel
    summerbackthen
    • Reads
      Reads 2,773,850
      2,773,8502.7M
    • Votes
      Votes 209,962
      209,962209K
    • Parts
      Parts 97
      9797
    • Time
      Time 17h 24m
      17 hours, 24 minutes17h 24m
    Free preview
    • Reads
      Reads 2,773,850
      2,773,8502.7M
    • Votes
      Votes 209,962
      209,962209K
    • Parts
      Parts 97
      9797
    • Time
      Time 17h 24m
      17 hours, 24 minutes17h 24m
    summerbackthen
    Complete
    Complete, First published Feb 12, 2017
    How To Be The Best Third Wheel is now published as a Paperback & E-book by Wattpad Books!
        
        As a Wattpad reader, you can also now access the Original Edition for free and the Wattpad Books Published Edition here upon purchase.
        
        It's the last year of high school, and everything has changed . . .
         
                                                                              *****
         
        After a summer spent in the Philippines, Lara Dela Cruz is eager to start her senior year and, most importantly, reunite with her three besties. But what she did not expect was to show up on the first day of school to all three of her friends now in relationships. Fighting for their attention, catching some new and confusing feelings for long-time frenemy James, and wading through the pressures of post-high-school plans all have Lara reeling. And to make matters worse, Lara's beautiful and untrustworthy cousin conveniently appears and wiggles her way right between her and James' budding relationship. Feeling like a third wheel in more ways than one, Lara must learn to accept that change is inevitable, love is complicated, and being the odd one out is sometimes where inner power is found.
         
        [[Word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]
        
        Cover design by Jill Caldwell
        
        Wattys 2020 YA fiction Winner
        Wattpad Books Prize Winner
    All Rights Reserved
    • awardwinner
    • awesome
    • badboy
    • bestfriends
    • boyfriend
    • completed
    • contemporary
    • featured
    • friendship
    • funny
    • highschool
    • hilarious
    • humor
    • love
    • loveyourself
    • paidstories
    • romcom
    • sarcastic
    • teen
    • teenromance
    • thirdwheel
    • wattpadbooks
    • wattys2020
    • youngadult
    awardwinnerawesomebadboybestfriendsboyfriendcompletedcontemporaryfeaturedfriendshipfunnyhighschoolhilarioushumorloveloveyourselfpaidstoriesromcomsarcasticteenteenromancethirdwheelwattpadbookswattys2020youngadult
    Table of contents
    • Exciting News!
      Wed, May 4, 2022
    • Introduction
      Wed, May 4, 2022
    • Tip One: Don't Overreact; Upgrade
      Wed, May 4, 2022
    • Tip Two: Restrain Yourself from Attacking Couples
      Wed, May 4, 2022
    • Tip Three: Walk a Few Feet Behind
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Four: Focus on Family
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Five: Be Polite When Third Wheeling
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Six: Always Hunt for the Truth
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Seven: Seek Vengeance
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Eight: Don't Be Surprised
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Nine: Consult with a Dog
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Ten: Be a Relationship Counselor
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Eleven: Reunite the Hormonal Teenagers
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twelve: Become a Couple's Photographer
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Thirteen: Try to Fit In with the Pamilya
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Fourteen: Brush It Off
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Fifteen: Understand the Appeal of Couple Interaction
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Sixteen: Keep Your Friends Close
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Seventeen: Know When to End the Game
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Eighteen: Be a Veteran Third Wheel
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Nineteen: Befriend the Boy-Fries
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty: Be Mature
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-One: Don't Laugh at Couples Costumes
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Two: Don't Tag along on Dates, Actually Go On One!
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Three: Act Normal
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Four: Sit In the Backseat
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Five: Trust during the Christmas Rush
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Six: Communicate Your Thoughts
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Seven: Give Up on Advice
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Eight: Prioritize Yourself
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Twenty-Nine: Begin Your Journey
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • Tip Thirty: Be Your Own Unicycle
      Wed, May 4, 2022Locked
    • WATTPAD ORIGINAL EDITION
      Wed, May 4, 2022
    • Original Edition - How To Be The Best Third Wheel
      Sat, May 13, 2017
    • Original Edition - HTBTBTW is coming soon!
      Thu, Nov 25, 2021
    • Original Edition - Prologue
      Mon, Feb 13, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 1: Don't Overreact and Upgrade Instead
      Mon, Feb 13, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 2: Don't Kill The Boys
      Mon, Feb 20, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 3: Just Evacuate
      Fri, Feb 24, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 4: Keep on Guard
      Fri, Mar 3, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 5: Be Forever Alone
      Fri, Mar 10, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 6: Walk a few Meters Away
      Mon, Mar 13, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 7: Focus on Family
      Fri, Mar 24, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 8: Always wear a Bra
      Fri, Mar 31, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 9: Be Polite when Third Wheeling
      Fri, Apr 7, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 10: Keep Your Cool
      Fri, Apr 14, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 11: Don't Pollute
      Fri, Apr 21, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 12: Block Annoying People
      Fri, Apr 28, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 13: Be an Instagram Model
      Fri, May 5, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 14: Always Hunt for the Truth
      Fri, May 12, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 14: Revenge MUST be Creative
      Fri, May 19, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 16: Don't be Surprised
      Fri, May 26, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 17: Eat the Best Ice Cream
      Fri, Jun 2, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 18: Love a Dog Instead
      Fri, Jun 9, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 19: Be a Relationship Counsellor
      Fri, Jun 16, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 20: Keep the Couple Together
      Fri, Jun 23, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 21: Use your Good-Girl Powers
      Fri, Jun 30, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 22: Re-unite the Hormonal Teenagers
      Fri, Jul 7, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 23: Be a Photographer
      Fri, Jul 14, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 24: Be Babysitters
      Fri, Jul 21, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 25: Face Your Fears
      Fri, Jul 28, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 26: Donuts are Forever
      Fri, Aug 4, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 27: Quit the Denial
      Fri, Aug 11, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 28: Make Soup for the Sick
      Fri, Aug 18, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 29: Keep the Girls by Your Side
      Fri, Aug 25, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 30: Have Comfortable Shoes
      Fri, Sep 1, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 31: Give up
      Thu, Sep 7, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 32: Try to Move on
      Fri, Sep 29, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 33: Don't mess with Victoria Secret Mannequins
      Mon, Oct 30, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 34: Do Couples Costumes with your Best Friend
      Wed, Nov 1, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 35: Don't tag along on dates, Actually go on one!
      Mon, Dec 4, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 36: Don't Kill him on the First Date
      Thu, Dec 28, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 36.5
      Thu, Dec 28, 2017
    • Original Edition - Tip 37: Don't Faint During Marriage Talk
      Sun, Feb 4, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 38: Don't be Jackie Chan in your Sleep
      Sun, Mar 25, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 39: Act Normal When the Girl Returns
      Sat, Apr 28, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 40: Don't Break Down Because of your Cousin
      Sat, Jun 30, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 41: Don't be Disagreeable When you're on your Period
      Sat, Jul 14, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 42: Boyfriends Can be Beneficial When Moody
      Sun, Aug 19, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 43: Have Some Knowledge on Common Topics
      Sun, Sep 23, 2018
    • Original Edition - Tip 44: Trust During the Christmas Rush
      Wed, Jul 3, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 45: Communicate Your Thoughts
      Thu, Jul 11, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 46: Shizballs, I Really Have No Advice For This One
      Wed, Jul 17, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 47: Prioritize Yourself
      Fri, Jul 26, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 48: Deal With Heartbreak
      Sat, Aug 3, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 49: Try To Be Frenemies
      Sat, Aug 10, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 50: Say Goodbye {Part 1}
      Fri, Aug 16, 2019
    • Original Edition - Tip 50: Say Goodbye {Part 2}
      Fri, Aug 16, 2019
    • Original Edition - Epilogue
      Mon, Aug 26, 2019
    • Original Edition - Bonus Chapter 1
      Sun, Nov 10, 2019
    • Original Edition - Bonus Chapter 2
      Sat, Mar 21, 2020
    • Original Edition - Acknowledgements
      Thu, Aug 29, 2019
    • Original Edition - NEW STORY!!!...AGAIN?
      Sun, Jan 5, 2020
    • Original Edition - New Story!!!
      Fri, Sep 6, 2019
    • Original Edition - Wait...We're getting published?
      Fri, Dec 4, 2020
    • BONUS CHAPTER: Jara in Panic...
      Mon, May 24, 2021
    • Original Edition - Join the HTBTBTW Street Team!
      Mon, Feb 21, 2022

    Get notified when How To Be The Best Third Wheel is updated

    OR

    If you already have an account,

    By continuing, you agree to Wattpad's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
    How To Be The Best Third Wheel is now published as a Paperback & E-book by Wattpad Books!
        
        As a Wattpad reader, you can also now access the Original Edition for free and the Wattpad Books Published Edition here upon purchase.
        
        It's the last year of high school, and everything has changed . . .
         
                                                                              *****
         
        After a summer spent in the Philippines, Lara Dela Cruz is eager to start her senior year and, most importantly, reunite with her three besties. But what she did not expect was to show up on the first day of school to all three of her friends now in relationships. Fighting for their attention, catching some new and confusing feelings for long-time frenemy James, and wading through the pressures of post-high-school plans all have Lara reeling. And to make matters worse, Lara's beautiful and untrustworthy cousin conveniently appears and wiggles her way right between her and James' budding relationship. Feeling like a third wheel in more ways than one, Lara must learn to accept that change is inevitable, love is complicated, and being the odd one out is sometimes where inner power is found.
         
        [[Word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]
        
        Cover design by Jill Caldwell
        
        Wattys 2020 YA fiction Winner
        Wattpad Books Prize Winner

    97 parts

    • Original Edition - Wait...We're getting published?
      Fri, Dec 4, 2020
    • BONUS CHAPTER: Jara in Panic...
      Mon, May 24, 2021
    • Original Edition - Join the HTBTBTW Street Team!
      Mon, Feb 21, 2022
    #9awesome
    Content Guidelines
    You may also like
    Arc-en-ciel by CoffeeGirl_10
    Arc-en-ciel
    43 parts Complete
    43 parts
    Complete
    〚FEATURED〛 ⭒⭒⭒⭒⭒ "My pick-up lines are great." "Yeah, and I have a pet llama." "You do??" "No, idio...
    Mr. Mafia And Mrs. CEO by omfg_af
    Mr. Mafia And Mrs. CEO
    40 parts Ongoing Mature
    40 parts
    Ongoing
    Mature
    [BEING RE-WRITTEN RN] Book one in the D'Angelo Series (Also the first maybe three chaps might be c...
    Silent Lies | ✔️ by ivyxjadewrites
    Silent Lies | ✔️
    55 parts Complete Mature
    55 parts
    Complete
    Mature
    [please read the trigger warnings in a/n] [rewritten version - original title: the mute girl and ba...
    Kill For It by _himeros_
    Kill For It
    47 parts Ongoing Mature
    47 parts
    Ongoing
    Mature
    My hands pull at the cuffs straining my arms above my head as he takes me ruthlessly. His prisoner...
    The Debut Diaries by summerbackthen
    The Debut Diaries
    9 parts Ongoing
    9 parts
    Ongoing
    "Wow! Sounds like a lot of fun!" he exclaims and my heart dies. "What did you say?" He cannot be s...
    The Science Behind Boys by summerbackthen
    The Science Behind Boys
    11 parts Ongoing
    11 parts
    Ongoing
    DISCONTINUED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE [Highest rank so far: #57 in humor] "Boys. I don't understand the...
    Error 404 by RebelleFleur00
    Error 404
    73 parts Ongoing Mature
    73 parts
    Ongoing
    Mature
    Rebel Simmons was just a girl who was dealt a shitty hand in the game of life. Despite her harsh an...
    24 Hours in Paris by romimoondi
    Paid Stories Badge
    24 Hours in Paris
    59 parts Complete
    59 parts
    Complete
    24 Hours in Paris is now published as a Paperback & E-book by W by Wattpad Books (this story is als...
    How To Find A Boy-Fry In Toronto (Mini-Prequel to HTBTBTW) by summerbackthen
    How To Find A Boy-Fry In Toronto (Mini-Prequ...
    5 parts Ongoing
    5 parts
    Ongoing
    (Mini-Prequel to How To Be The Best Third Wheel) Being single is perfectly fine, but when the boy...
    You may also like
    • Arc-en-ciel cover
      adorable
    • Mr. Mafia And Mrs. CEO cover
      anger
    • Silent Lies | ✔️ cover
      abuse
    • Kill For It cover
      action
    • The Debut Diaries cover
      awesome
    • The Science Behind Boys cover
      badboy
    • Error 404 cover
      badass
    • 24 Hours in Paris cover
      Paid Stories Badge chicklit
    • How To Find A Boy-Fry In Toronto (Mini-Prequel to HTBTBTW) cover
      badboy

    Arc-en-ciel

    43 parts Complete
    43 parts
    Complete

    〚FEATURED〛 ⭒⭒⭒⭒⭒ "My pick-up lines are great." "Yeah, and I have a pet llama." "You do??" "No, idiot." ⭒⭒⭒⭒⭒ Arc-en-ciel (n.): Rainbow He's the perfect example of a thundercloud. He's rude, grumbly...

    Free preview
    • Paid Stories
    • Try Premium
    • Get the App
    • Language
    • Writers
    • |
    • Brand Partnerships
    • Jobs
    • Press
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Accessibility
    • Help
    • © 2023 Wattpad