"I am so ready for this conference." Says excited Iris as she walks into Barry's lab. She can't wait to spend more time with her best friend. Just her best friend, he has a girlfriend now. That though felt like acid running down her throat.
"What conference?" asks Patty.
"The science and technology conference down on Keystone. I just hope we get to see some very cool things." Says Iris smiling brightly at Barry, he blushes.
Barry is just as excited as Iris, probably more. "This year is going to be amazing. I already have a map of the place, so we'll be able to see the best and most advances in physics and chemistry. I bought the tickets as soon as they were available. We go every year; except that year I was in a coma…" he notices Iris smile fades.
"No, no. Iris it's okay, I'm okay." He gives her a hug and Iris rest her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat. "See my heart still beating."
Patty feels like she's intruding in an intimate moment between a couple. Patty observes then, it's weird. She's the girlfriend but she feels like she's the intruder. Like she's the one that doesn't add up in the equation.
"It still very fast." Says with watery eyes.
"No more sadness, this is going to be awesome, even better than last year. Agree."
"Whoo hooo Agree." Iris cheers but she can see that Patty is not amused and decides to excuse herself. "I'll be waiting in the car. Don't make us late."
"Don't worry I won't be late." Iris gives him a knowing look. "I'll be ready." He starts cleaning up his desk.
"So how come I'm only finding out about this?" asks Patty upset.
"What are you talking about, I told you I had plans with Iris."
"Yes, but you didn't mention it was to the science and technology conference."
"I'm sorry. I forgot, I just didn't think….
"Didn't think what? That I would be interested?"
"It's not that, is just that it's always been Iris and I and….
"And you didn't even think about me, the thought of inviting your girlfriend who is as passionate about science as you are never even crossed your mind."
"I'm sorry I didn't invite you it just slipped my mind. What's the big deal."
"You invited someone else, who I understand is your best friend, but who has no interest in science whatsoever. The big deal is that you would rather go with someone who you have nothing in common, than with your girlfriend who has so much more in common with you."
"Iris is my best friend."
"I know that, and I know for a long time it was just you and her, but now there's you and me and sometimes I feel like an intruder in your relationship with Iris. You and Iris have these moments that makes me feel like she's the girlfriend and I'm just the friend."
"I'm so sorry, I never meant to make you feel this way." He says approaching her.
"I know you didn't. I forgive you because we are new and just starting our relationship. But if you're serious about this relationship, eventually you're going to have to start putting me first."
Barry said nothing, knowing that that would be impossible. Iris West will always come first.