Shy, timid, quiet
Shy, timid, quiet:
I averted my eyes and crossed my fingers
Hoping you wouldn't call on me.
Twenty nine other students,
I thought.
The probability of being called on is
one out of thirty, 1/30.
I have been paying attention.
See? A notebook filled with pertinent information and thoughts I am too scared to voice.
Heart racing, palms sweating,
We have made eye contact.
I am smart; I really am.
But I have social anxiety.
I panic when twenty nine, no thirty, pairs of eyes focus on me.
I stutter and stammer.
Words stumble out of my mouth. My face blushes. The room suddenly increases in temperature.
I swear I can hear what other students are thinking...
Slowing sinking further and further in my seat, I grimace...
All I want is to get through the day
Unnoticed and invisible.
I am smart; I really am.