I Am Irrationally Irked at Being the Nth Wheel

A general rule of social situations: odd numbers are usually unfortunate for someone.

You've heard of being the third wheel. You've probably been that final component of a social tricycle a few times in your life. It usually happens on accident. Your other friend was going to come but was late/cancelled last minute/was hit by a bus/ etc. Because when you are aware of only two other people going somewhere, and those two people are dating or sort of dating, you do not want to go with them. And that's okay, because inevitably, they will do something to make you feel uncomfortable. They'll start canoodling, they'll start talking about how great it will be when you find that "special someone," or they'll start fighting. It's a natural instinct to not want to be there. It's like not wanting to be near animals during their mating season, not wanting to hear infomercials for products that are supposed to improve your life, and not wanting to be Neville Chamberlain when Hitler invades the Sudetenland.

But sometimes even when you plan ahead, you're the odd one out.

Because here's the thing, even if it's a larger group of people, if it's still an odd number, there's still the potential for everyone to couple off. Everyone except for the Nth wheel, N being the total number in your party. I could talk about a lot of examples right now, but instead, I'm just going to say that being the Nth wheel in a dancing/clubbing/grooving setting probably has the most potential for disaster. Because once that creepy older man named Diego standing in the corner figures out that you're the Nth wheel, watch out. Suddenly creepy corner Diego wants to salsa dance with you. Then it takes several very long minutes before your friends realize you are dancing with a creepy stranger and need assistance. Not that I've been in that situation before.

Add some sass to your class,

Jenna

Disclaimer: This rant does not apply to all couples. If I have not expressly told you with my words or very obvious facial expressions that I don't want to be around the two of you together, then I'm not talking about you here. So nobody get offended on me. Thanks.