In my workplace, there are three ladies that everyone jokingly calls the Powerpuff Girls. They are very close to each other and move as a tight unit. They post each other on their WhatsApp status, celebrate each other’s birthdays loudly, attend events together, and make it very obvious that they are best friends. Unfortunately, I am not part of that circle. They do not invite me for outings, birthdays, or hangouts. Even when we attend an event together as colleagues and we take group pictures, they never post pictures where I am visible. But when it is just the three of them, the pictures are posted immediately with sweet captions. I noticed this pattern a long time ago, and although it hurts sometimes, I told myself not to overthink it. Here is the confusing part. Whenever any of them needs someone to cover for them at work, I am the first person they come to. If they need to leave early, arrive late, or disappear for personal reasons, they trust me enough to help them out. Also, when they need to borrow money, they are very comfortable coming to me. They explain their situation, promise to pay back, and act very friendly in those moments. What surprises me is my own reaction. Each time they ask me for help, I feel happy. I feel useful. I feel noticed and needed. For that moment, it feels like I matter to them. But once the favour is done or the money is returned, everything goes back to normal. I am invisible again. Now I keep asking myself uncomfortable questions. Are these ladies truly good office colleagues, or am I just convenient? Am I mistaking being useful for being valued? Why do I feel validated only when I am helping them? And most importantly, is it healthy to keep giving and showing up for people who do not fully include me? I would really like to hear your thoughts, because I am struggling to understand where I truly stand in this dynamic.