They’re all having a party tonight or this weekend and not inviting me. I just know it. He said he’s studying for his CPA. She said she feels like she’s getting a cold. Nobody is doing anything according to what they’re saying to me. But I know the truth. They all hate me. I’m Mr. Unpopular. Nobody wants to be hanging out with me. Nobody invites me to anything. Nobody wants me around. My brother says it’s FOMO. Like I knew what that meant. “Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO,” he says. Right. I’m afraid of missing out. I’m not afraid. I _am_ missing out. Nobody wants to be by me.

Wait. Here comes Harold. I bet he walks right by. He’s just on the other side of the aisle from me. I bet he’s doing something fun this weekend and I’ll hear about it when I walk by the water cooler and he’s talking to everybody else. Wait. I think he just said something to me.

“Sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

Harold smiles at me. “Me and some of the guys are going bowling tonight. I know. It’s kinda corny and retro, but you’re welcome to come along with us after work.”

“Excuse me?”

“Bowling. After work. We usually just get nachos there, and you’re invited.”

“Oh. Okay. Yeah. I’d love that. Which alley?”

Harold grins. “You’re kidding, right? There’s only one bowling alley in this one-horse town. We’ll all be there shortly after work.”

“Okay. Okay. I’ll be there.” I smile at Harold.

Now that he’s walking away to be with the rest of the crew, I know what they’re planning. They’re gonna ditch me. I’ll show up at the bowling alley and none of them will ever show. I’ll wait for hours for them. But I’ll still go. After all, I’ve gotta show my brother that I am not afraid of missing out.