Ten Seconds

A short story on the emotional war that is anxiety:

"So what's your deal? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No. I'm not ready for a relationship," I said without thinking. Then I bit my cheek. Why would I tell him that? That's so TMI. Why couldn't I just say no? Samar blinked in confusion.

"How do you know when you are?"

"Well, there's a pretty simple test." I stopped walking and Samar stopped next to me. He looked me in the eyes. I blame the alcohol in my system for what happened next. "Look me in the eyes for 10 seconds," I whispered.