avoi'dance'

Alright, this one is not for you virtuous folk out there. This is for someone like me (I bet there will be many people nodding along as you read on) - someone who would rather avoid the confrontation than face the discomfort. So I spotted someone I'd rather not have (lets call them "X"), walking a few feet ahead of me and instead of catching up and exchanging casual (un)pleasantries, I did the first thing that came to my mind and lingered. I let my steps drag to try and increase the distance between me and X but I discovered that X happens to walk uncharacteristically slow and was apparently headed to the same destination as me. Which made me seem pretty stupid (I could see my reflection along the glass-paned buildings). I was sort of walking in slow-motion and anyone who's seen me walk can vouch that I am a fast walker. And so I felt foolish. As I crept along, another strange thought struck me. What if X caught my reflection on the glass alongside and wondered why I was snailing along? I dismissed the possibility as highly unlikely. But on the other hand, I might've appeared as a strange stalker as well.. walking a safe distance behind the target. Come to think of it now, I should've probably crossed the street and walked far ahead with my pace than drawl behind. Or better yet, I could've walked on ahead, caught up, thrown a fancy "hi there" and made a I'd-love-to-chat-but-I'm-in-a-terrible-hurry scene and gotten with it. As always, hindsight is 20/20.