is reading the room a life skill?

Last week, a friend of mine cancelled plans, plans that we made weeks in advance. It was an art class, paid for by said Friend. The reason was that they "forgot" we made said plans, but wanted to meet up with a date, in my place instead. This was texted over to me within less than a day's notice, the night before the class. Their recourse was suggesting I could still go, alone or with someone else. Friend would be there with their date, and I'd be in orbit, somewhat. I could still say hi, maybe. It could still be fun for everyone, perhaps. I found this comical because Friend is very aware of a time where I vented about Someone Else cancelling on me a few years ago, coincidentally for a similar reason: over someone who was more attention-grabbing than me, I suppose. Both times, I'm a platonic or a lesser-priority party. And, both times, through text, I'm extended a blasé peace offering shortly before they go AFK: Friend offering a sorta-kinda middle ground invitation I'd expect more…