Now the situation could be resolved, and we could put this behind us -- both the awkward misunderstandings and the misguided attempts at self-preservation. Though both of those would probably happen in the future anyway.

Sensitivity to the sound of one's name is a special gift of loners. Because the loner does not often hear his name, he reacts dramatically in the rare event the word is uttered. Source: me.

I was a diligent student with integrity, so I didn't talk to anyone in class and passed the time in silence.

There is a tendency to imagine the loner ensconced in a dark corner, but in point of fact, as the resident loner of our class, I comported myself in a grand and stately manner. Thus, I was the eye of the hurricane, a single, isolated air pocket in the school.

Monday. Given that it means "day of the moon," you'd think there'd be more butts involved.

In this world, the pursuit of dreams leads to a life so painful and frustrating the mere thought of it is enough to merit a sigh.