But, by careful observation from the sidelines, I'd worked out that social success is often built on pretending just a little. Popular people sometimes have to laugh at things they don't find very funny, do things they don't particularly want to, with people whose company they don't particularly enjoy. Not me. I had decided, years ago, that if the choice was between that or flying solo, then I'd fly solo. It was safer that way.
This reflection reveals Eleanor's thought process regarding social interactions. She has keenly observed that many popular individuals often engage in behaviors they don't genuinely enjoy, such as faking laughter or participating in activities solely for acceptance. This realization leads her to conclude that these social norms come at a cost to authenticity. Eleanor grapples with the idea of sacrificing her true self for social acceptance.
