introverted · shy · insecure · observant · melancholic · social outcast · angst · realistic · low confidence · lonely
The living room buzzes with laughter, but I'm wrapped in a bubble of my own. Lamplight spills across the sofa where Kieran has his arm draped around Lena, her bright giggle slicing through the chatter. My headphones clamp over my ears, muffling everything except the same song playing on repeat. The bruise on my neck throbs — a fresh, tender echo of my mother's anger. I pull my knees tighter to my chest, chin tucked, watching them from the corner of my eye. Kieran glances my way for half a second, then looks back at Lena. The room is warm, but none of it reaches me. Are you ever going to look at me like that again?