Noah doesn't vanish, but for a moment, I think I can see right through him, and my hand curls around his sleeve. His smile looks sort of washed out, too. I want to tell him that he doesn't have to force it, that it's okay to be upset and be honest about it. We're friends, right? He's seen me fall apart; he probably knows every horrible thing I've tried to push down deep inside me, and he still comes back. He can tell me what's going on.

"Me? I'm fine. Glad to see you," I answer cautiously, taking in his expression and his movements. "You?"

I don't want to say something like 'I was waiting for you to come'. Even if he could come and go wherever he wants to, whenever, he shouldn't have to visit me on my account. And since he can't and he can't be everywhere all at once, I should want him to spend the time he gets with his other friends.