[ WP ] Two people are introduced at a party , and find that neither can perceive the other . They try to hold a conversation .

`` John, meet Betty. Betty, John.'' Athan was proud to introduce his two friends that he knew so well. He was surprised when John first said he never met Betty. Athan was friends with these two for so long, how is it that they never met? He figured Carl's new year's party was a good place to allow these two dear friends to meet. Creating a new connection for someone always gave Athan a sense of pride. 
 
 `` Athan, where is she?'' 
 
 `` This some sort of joke? Ai n't nobody here.'' Betty inquired. 
 
 Athan had secluded his two companions in the living room where nobody would bother them. He wanted these two to get to know each other very well. It seemed important to Athan, these were the two most important people in his life after all. 
 
 `` Stop playing games you two. I know you guys are probably pretty nervous about meeting someone new but I know you'll hit it off. You have a lot in common!'' 
 
 `` Athan, it's just you and me here. There is nobody else.'' 
 
 `` What'r you talkin' about? It's just you'n me!'' 
 
 Athan had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Why would n't they talk to each other? Both of them knew everything there was to know about Athan, his fears, his desires, even his most embarrassing moments. Surely, if they had nothing to relate about, they could at least talk about him. 
 
 `` Oh shut up you two. Do you guys remember that one time when I threw up at that Christmas party last year?'' 
 
 `` Then you tried to flush the toilet and it clogged up and shit and puke got all over the floor! Lucky for you I was there to help clean it up.'' John recalled. 
 
 `` Of course I'member. I was there!'' 
 
 Athan laughed at the memory. For the rest of the night, Athan and his two best friends reminisced about his most harrowing and embarrassing experiences. He chalked up the lack of direct communication between the two to social anxiety. Not a problem he thought, he was just glad that he could be there to act as social lubricant. The meet-up, in his mind, was a success. 
 
 As Athan was throughly enjoying himself in the living room, Carl and his arm candy strolled in looking for a place to exchange fluids. Athan was too entertained to notice. 
 
 `` What is he doing?'' 
 
 Carl looked at his once dear friend. He invited him to the party in a hope that he would try to get himself out of his depression. A depression that was present for as long as Carl had known Athan, which was almost all his life. It was clear that his plan did not work out. He feared that maybe he was exacerbating his condition by inviting him. However, for Carl, his conscious was quickly pushed aside by the beautiful blonde on his arm. 
 
 `` Do n't worry about him. Let's go upstairs.'' 
 
 
 

