Everyone else in class seems to have a partner already, so it looks like you and I are a team.

You know, process of elimination... Yeah.

So, are you like, new?

Like a transfer student?

Huh?

I hadn't really noticed you in class before.

Oh.

So, you're new?

No, I've sat two desks behind you all year long.

How is that even possible?

I fade into the background sometimes.

Okay, the fade into the background, that's what I do.

That's my thing.

There's no way you could have pulled it off all year.

Yeah... So anyway, our topic is the French Revolution.

-You know what, how about we split up the duties between us so, -I'll just do all the work, and you can do the talking.

Well, okay.

I think personally, my strength lies in research less so public speaking.

Same with me.

Well, the last time I got up in front of the class to present, I threw up.

The last time I got up in front of a class to present, I blacked out, hit my head on the floor, and had to be rushed to the hospital.

I died and had to be resuscitated twice.

Okay, I guess I'll do the talking.

I'll just make sure I have a garbage can nearby.

So, uh, what's your name?

Huh?

I need to know your name.

Why?

I mean, we're working together on a project, isn't it a little odd if I don't know your name?

Okay, well, my name is Frank.

Yeah, I don't really like small talk.

Is that what I'm doing?

Uh, let me just, you know, get to work in silence.

Okay, and I'll just sit here and mentally prepare myself to give a presentation tomorrow.

Oh.

So, the varsity basketball team has been doing pretty well this year, huh?

Sorry, I have never been this uncomfortable with silence before.

You're just so quiet, I feel like I have to keep talking and be the outgoing one in order to save this interaction from becoming a mattress fire of awkwardness.

You are really draining me.

Is this how other feel when they talk to me?

Okay, this is getting to be too much for me, so I'm gonna take the, the textbook, and go to the bathroom for the rest of the class period so I can research in peace.

What is happening to me?

I have become the thing that I dread.