But its not funny. Not to people who've been told they're losers their whole lives and believe they will never be anything else.

I throw him two bones: a smile and a nod. Both lies.

You won't know until it's over. You won't find me in time.

I just want the pain to end.

I suppose I'll be remembered as dull. Timid. No one ever knew me. People came. They went. I was kind, I think. Not sympathetic, but considerate of others. I always gave up my place in line. I loaned out pencils and paper, or let people take them from me. I never reported a sexual assault.

You still have," I looked at my watch, "twelve seconds to change your mind. Find someone else and save your reputation." One side of his lip cricked up. "I found you. I'll take my chances.

No one else knows I'm alive, which means they won't notice when I'm gone.