[ he nods, looking down at the bedspread. she's right, but that doesn't mean he wants to hear it. ]

I'm never okay, so at least that part is easy. [ another copout. it's just- ] I spent a whole week, letting my friends do everything for me. They had to take care of me like I was a kid. And now I'm just - fine.

[ well, she knows exactly how that is. he looks up, only now noticing her outstretched hand. he looks at her face and back to the hand, like he isn't sure what she wants, though he can guess. ]

I thought I was gonna have to live my whole life like that. I accepted it. [ that some external force could change him so fundamentally, could break him so easily. it terrifies him. his hand slips into hers finally, and he fights the strange pins-and-needles sensation to lace their fingers. baby steps, right? ]