7

"Attention, after meeting with your next group, you may retire for thirty minutes. For the last switch, please listen up," the male Kea says, and the chatter around our table halts.

The rest of the room falls silent also and I lift my eyes from my lap. I have been avoiding eye contact for the last two rounds. I am emotionally exhausted. Every group since the Froles has been pleasant, but I have never been exposed to this many people. I feel like my energy has been zapped away from me. I want to make friends. I really do, but I don't know how to interact yet and my anxiety makes me tired.

The male Kea lists the names and colors just like he has this entire time and I breathe out a rather loud sigh of relief.

This is the last group. Then I get to escape to my room and scrub my face. I get to curl up on my soft bed and read a beautiful book.

I grin as my mind conjures up the image of my escape, but I quickly regain control. I don't want my friends thinking I dislike spending time