Listen to me. I am shy. Not silly. I can't look at people in the eye. I don't know if you understand what it feels like. There is a whole world that exists around me, I know. Not that I don't want to look at you. I don't want them to see me. I am afraid of what you will see inside me. I am ashamed, I'm afraid that you look me in the eye and discover something bad, damaged.
by Jonathan Lethem
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The speaker expresses a deep sense of shyness, distinguishing it from silliness. They struggle to make eye contact, which highlights their internal conflict and vulnerability. The awareness of the world around them is palpable, yet they feel a strong desire to hide from it, fearing exposure and judgment. They articulate a struggle between wanting connection and the fear of revealing their true self.

This fear stems from a profound sense of shame and anxiety about what others might perceive within them. The speaker's reluctance to engage reflects a deeper emotional turmoil, suggesting they believe there might be something fundamentally flawed or broken inside. This introspection reveals a complex interplay between the need for acceptance and the dread of being truly seen.

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