long time no see.

"hey, look who's here!" even though i'm always here at this time of the day, he appears surprised to see me as he strolls into the room with her by his side.

i glance up, return to the papers in my lap, make a noncommital noise. "hey."

"how are you doing?" he sits down a couple feet away from me, upbeat and casual; she makes herself comfortable on his other side. "i feel like i haven't seen you around much anymore and it's been a really long time. i dunno why."

well excuse me, i don't know either. maybe it's because ever since you met her, you've followed her around all the time just to see more of her smiles and hear more of her sugar-spun dreams, and neither of you bothers to include me in your plans anymore. it looks like the time we spent together no longer matters. somewhat disappointing, of course, but it upsets me less than the almost genuine tone of bafflement in your voice. you chose your company, after all.

"yeah, i guess."

for a while, you listen to her audacious rambles about college and the indie fad and other significant things in life, and when she leaves, you trail behind her. the six seconds that it takes for both of you to complete your egression stretches uncomfortably long, but finally i am left in the room the same way i was before you came: alone and at peace.