Oh, come on! The only way you would change a long-standing habit like that would be for someone special. Someone your age, forgive me, wouldn’t normally just change their mind about something they’ve done as protection for so long.
I don’t really—I haven’t changed much. Really. It was just that when you don’t have friends you miss out on even the little things, like a hug or a pat on the shoulder. Just—those kinds of little things. Those are the only things that are new, and I didn’t need Steve to— *she cuts off and looks down, shaking her head and chuckling at her own expense* Okay, so now you do know that there’s someone special. Me and my big mouth. *she chuckles again* Still, I mean it. It’s just little things like hugs, I would have gotten those even if Steve and I weren’t… *What are we exactly? she thinks as she trails off*
*grins at her* You’re pretty serious about him. Steve. Pretty common name, that one. Could be anybody. But not to you, I see.