Loneliness
I sit there in silence. Alone, acutely aware of the people around me. They are all close friends, they have all found their niche. I am the only intruder into this family. I have been here all along, but have never been one of them. I am the awkward child that was grudgingly adopted. Most of them tolerate or ingore me. A few of them like me enough and take notice of me, but they are busy with their own groups. I am longing for a friendly smile, or a reassuring hug. Nothing comes. Nothing ever will. I don't belong here, never have and never will. I have always known that in the back of my mind, but part of me wanted to beleive that I would eventually be accepted. No such luck. I abandon the thought now, leave by the wayside where it belongs. I am content to ride out what remains of this year and then disappear. None of them will care, much less remember that I was even here.