“I’ve always had social anxiety. It used to take me at least twenty minutes to prepare myself for a phone call. My sisters would tease me for asking our mother to make doctor’s appointments for me, but they’re not like me. Going out, being able to talk to whoever, isn’t easy for me. My chest gets tight, and I start feeling like I’m going to hyperventilate.” It’s embarrassing to admit, but I find myself going on because he’s listening to me without one ounce of judgement on his face. “I was hoping I could reinvent myself here where nobody knew me. I could be anybody I wanted. A girl with any
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