A tad random, I know, but....ah well. Based off an actual conversation I had with someone....

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Lydia took in a breath, watching him. He was standing there, lips pursed, concentrating...

"Eric?" Her voice sounded timid, careful. He turned, blinked out of his trance.

"Hhm? What's up?"

Lydia shoved her hands into her pockets. She had a headache, a heartache...

"Uhm...nothing..." She couldn't do it...

"You alright? You seem tired or something." Eric leaned back, watching her carefully. Lydia bit her lip.

"Yes....I mean...I'm tired, I suppose...I think maybe I'm getting sick or something..." She shrugged. "I'm just...not in a good mood, I guess."

Eric sighed. "Well, just try being positive." He said it so simply, like that was that. Lydia frowned.

"It's kind of hard to be positive when you feel like utter crap." She didn't mean to snap, but it sounded that way. She really did feel horrible....she needed to vent, needed to let him know...

"Goodness....people these days, I swear..." He was glaring off into space. "I hardly ever complain when I'm sick. People just need to be more positive about things...stop living in a rut..."

Lydia frowned even more, watching him. "Like I said, Eric," She crossed her arms. "I'm trying to be positive, but it's hard when you don't feel like it." She was glaring at him.

Eric suddenly stood, glaring at her. "You know what you're problem is? You're so damn insecure that you can't even take a little bit of constructive criticism."

Lydia's mouth dropped open, but she was interrupted when she tried to speak.

"And since you still aren't being positive, then I'll leave you to whatever depressing thoughts you have..." Eric stood, turned, walked out of the door...

Lydia stared blankly at the door, then sank to the floor, tears rimming in her eyes. 'Be more open and people will like you more...' So many lies!! Wiping her eyes, Lydia drew her knees up to her chest.

"This doesn't hurt." She said it to reassure herself. She forced herself to smile, forced herself to put that mask back on...the mask that said there was nothing at all wrong with her life...