On Your Own

1A

You cannot even begin to imagine what would happen if they did.

With an embarrassing amount of effort, you jump to your feet and dash out the door.

"Evelyn!"

"Ya?"

She turns around, eyes narrowing. Her hand rests on the ninety-degree, or rather two-hundred-and-seventy-degree, corner of the hallway, intent on showing her direction out of your life.

To be honest, you didn't think this far ahead.

"I didn't mean it. I mean I think what you're doing is great and... and I'm a terrible friend if I didn't, uh, support you making your own, er, decisions."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

You try to give a convincing grin, to the horror of your pride.

To the horror of your reputation, it wasn't very convincing.

"You aren't being genuine at all!"

"What? Absolutely not. Listen don't freak out on me again-"

"Again? When did I freak out?!"

"I mean, like, sorta kinda all the time, but that's not important right now-"

"Is this your idea of being a good friend?"

"Is this your idea of it?"

"What a jerk!"

She seems to make an extra amount of noise than necessary as her bracelets clang together on her way out.

What a mess.

At least you won't have to deal with her stupid drama any more. As you lean against the door frame, you feel your phone buzzing. On second thought, it looks like you will have to deal with it...

"Listen, I need your thoughts on something."

"...Do you really?"

"Come on. You owe me, right? Like for that job interview?"

"No, I don't. And anyway, didn't you used to open your phone calls differently?"

"Huh? No that was... oh no. It happened again."

"I thought so. I just didn't want to believe it."

"Then what happened to Beta? Did he just..."

"Congratulations on your new position."

"And now I have to deal with you?"

"We're not so bad."

"Oh god. Now I know what it feels like, I suppose. Why'd it have to be me?"

"Couldn't be anyone else, my friend."

"You should know what I'm talking about then?"

"'Fraid not. She just ran away."

You hear a deep sigh on the other end. You can't believe this. Five years spent with Beta, and now he's gone. You can't believe you convinced yourself to buy the same apartment as him. All this talk about losing contact had gotten you scared, and now Evelyn had ruined even that for you.

"Guess I'll call you back?"

"Guess you will."

The phone call ends, but you don't move.

1B - Go back inside.

2A - Go for a walk.