Social anxiety

It’s so simple, but it can ruin lives

My life

People talking feels like heavy metal blasting in my ears

I can’t hear

Their words get scrambles into alphabet soup

But I don’t speak alphabet soup

So I stare blankly into their eyes

Hoping they won’t notice—but they always do

Looking around the room I see bright smiling faces looking at me

They form a blur

A blur of bright colors on clothes and smiles on faces

I freeze

Lay my head on my desk and close my eyes

Nothing will stop, but I’m safe on my desk

Safe from people talking

Safe from acting normal