AUGUST

"tell me, why do i feel so alone? why do people not talk to me?"

a brief pause. i focus on long eyelashes that flutter when she blinks.

"to be honest, if i didn't know you, i'd say you have this.. this barrier that you put up that make people feel as if-" she pauses, and i can see her mentally running through a list of appropriate words to say, "- as if you want to be alone."

my shoulders slump. it's not the first time i've been told that, which, in my book, verifies the fact that i do, really, project myself as such. which is the exact opposite of what i want.

i lean back in my chair, cross my legs, and paste a warm smile on my face. "i think it's time to change that."

**

change [cheynj] - verb, changed, chang·ing, noun verb (used with object)
1.
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2.
to transform or convert (usually followed by into ): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3.
to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4.
to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.
5.
to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.