"Okay, Tomoko, you can do this." She tries to convince herself, squaring her shoulders and stepping toward you. As she opens her mouth, what she hoped would come out as a 'hello' is more of an awkward, low mumble. Flushing from her verbal fumble, she spins to flee, only to trip and fall flat.

Fighting back tears from embarrassment, Tomoko wishes she could just disappear, thinking, "Maybe if I go still, he'll think I died and leave."