I heard laughter from your side of the room.

You whispered with your friend.

Giggled about some inside joke.

I wondered what you were talking about,

But I felt uneasy.

Because unless someone has an obvious character flaw,

Or they rub me the wrong way from the beginning,

I make the mistake of caring what they think.

Especially in this case,

With all the forced proximity.

It wasn’t all that interesting,

But then you whispered again,

And I could have sworn I heard my name this time.

I understand I’m a little strange.

Some more than that even,

And that when I’m less comfortable,

I take up more space,

Like a balloon too big for the room it’s in.

But I didn’t think I was worthy conspiring against.

I know they talk about the importance of assertive communication,

But it’s much easier to seem cold and distant.

I’ve always been naturally passive agressive.