You Between the Lines

by Katie Naymon

That’s the problem with me. I constantly read the room and cater my movements, words, thoughts, which-comma-goes-where to other people.

Bridget is right. I constantly accommodate, but then I secretly resent other people for not being as accommodating.

“Your first reaction, when someone ignores you, is to assume that there’s something wrong with you. You assign your self-worth based on your perception of what others think about you.”

“So I’m just supposed to do this forever?” “Fall and get back up? Yeah, I think so. What other choice do we have, you know?” A low, rumbling ugh escapes my mouth. “I was hoping I was special.” It’s facetious, of course, but sometimes my subconscious desperately wants to be the exception. Erica laughs. “You’re not. I’m not, either. And isn’t that the most comforting thing in the world?”

You have always been the brightest thing in the room and I have never not wanted to be in your spotlight.”

“Somehow you knew who I was before I did.”