The challenge: 103 words including:
…beneath the surface…
The Party
I watch her face as I endeavour to keep up the conversation, trying to salvage the right thoughts and words from the depths of my mind. From her facial movements and body language, I know what she’s thinking. She thinks I’m stupid and boring. The more she thinks it, the more I’m drawn to play into her view of me. She nods at my remark, but her mind is elsewhere, developing an escape strategy.
“Well, lovely meeting you,” she says. “Must move on.”
I hope my smile and raised shoulders portray the inevitableness of her action.
“Good riddance,” I say, beneath the surface.

February 5, 2013 at 4:29 pm
How upsetting for him…
February 7, 2013 at 9:52 am
Or her
Thanks for commenting.
February 6, 2013 at 1:04 am
ouch…but I can totally relate! sometimes, we just cant’ find a hook for folks to see who is right in front of them… thanks for writing and sharing…
February 7, 2013 at 9:53 am
Thanks for reading and commenting
February 6, 2013 at 11:03 pm
I like how this unfolds, emotions and associated actions, and then the closing statement.
We need to show respect and care for others always. I wonder how often we fail without realising it?!
February 7, 2013 at 9:57 am
Thanks. Yes, we judge without knowing the facts.
February 8, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Ooh another great entry Miriam. It seems like an uncomfortable situation but I wonder… Was she really thinking those things? Or was she perhaps displaying closed body language because she, too, was thinking the narrator thought those things of her…? There’s often so much said beneath the surface on both sides and you got me thinking. Sometimes I think it’s better to be open and honest. But there are also things better left unsaid.
February 10, 2013 at 7:59 am
Isn’t life complicated! Thanks for your comment, Rachael.