...
She had been going to a social club every Thursday night called Tiny Relationships. It was held downtown in the Jazz Lounge, a bar that had once been the place to be seen in, but now was so desperate for customers it hosted a club night for losers like her.
The first time she went she had been almost dragged in the doors by her friend Claire.
She called Claire her friend even though they barely knew each other.
They met online in a forum for shy people and had met once or twice to practice small talk.
Claire wasn't shy.
Well, not really. Not in comparison to Helen, anyway.
"It isn't a shy-a-matition," Claire said, when Helen accused her of being more outgoing than she was. "Every time I talk to someone," she continued. "My insides feel like they are twisting. Maybe I just hide it better than you."
...
