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We need to get even, because it’s not fair He’s gotten one of my smiles, and seen me smile at countless other people I have never seen hi but blank, bored, surly, suspicious, watchful, resentful Occasionally he has another look on his face, after we’ve been arguing His Serial Killer expression

I walk down the center line of the tile again and feel his head swivel

“Not that I care what you think, but I’m well liked here Everyone’s excited about my book club, which you’ve made pretty clear you think is laiven where ork”

“You’re a captain of industry”

“I take the library donations out I plan the Christ theers

“You’re not doing much to convince me you don’t care what I think” He leans back farther into his chair, long fingers laced together loosely on his generic, flat abdomen The button near his thulance down and rebutton it

“I don’t care what you think, but I want normal people to like me”

“You’re chronically addicted topeople adore you” The way he says it makes me feel a little sick

“Well, excuseto be positive You’re addicted topeople hate you, so what a pair we are”

I sit down and tap my co Joshua is like a mirror that shows ain Tiny, runt-of-the-litter Lucy using her pathetic cuteness to avoid being destroyed by the big kids I’ve always been the pet, the lucky charon Carried and coddled and perhaps I am a little pathetic

“You should try not giving a shit sohtens, and a strange shadow clouds his expression One blink and it’s gone

“I didn’t ask for your advice, Joshua I get some down to your level all the time”

“And what level are you i you down to?” His voice is a little velvety and he bites his lip “Horizontal?”

Mentally I hit Enter in in a new line

“You’re disgusting Go to hell” I think I’ll go treat myself to a basement scream