-- and, why do some words sound the same, but mean entirely different things?

-- isn't that so irritating? talking to someone, and not being sure what they mean?

-- Enlighten me.

-- well it's like- like imagine you're on the phone with somebody: this is somebody you don't know too well, but you're trying to get to know.

-- Sure.

-- you've been talking for a couple of weeks. not enough time to get to know everything about them, mind you, but you have an idea of their interests, their hobbies

-- the sort of timeframe where you're in-between an acquaintance and an actual friend

-- and you could guess the sort of thing they'd be into, like-

-- ██████ . . .

-- . . . right.

-- so you're talking on the phone. and you're talking and talking, and suddenly they say something about flo(u)(we)r.

-- and how do you respond? if you get it wrong, then you'll end up ruining everything- they'll think you weren't even listening.

-- Does it matter so much? Use context clues.

-- see, that's the problem. what if i- you- didn't pick up on the conversation before? or- or what if they were muffled, but you pretended to understand what they were saying to be polite;

-- what if they changed topics? or maybe the context could have fit both words?

-- how are you supposed to know what to do then?

-- So you weren't listening.

-- this isn't about me, remember?

-- . . . Alright, so I wasn't listening, then.

-- oh, but that isn't it either. it's not like you weren't listening, you were, its just that the words . . .

-- it's like . . . like little bugs. they go into one ear, fly around for a while, and then they fly out the other side. you had them for a while, but then they left.

-- And why not ask which word they meant?

-- you'll look dumb, right? remember when i said this is still someone you're trying to get to know? you don't want them thinking you're stupid.

-- but then you mess it up. and there's that awkward silence . . . and they just laugh and correct you and move on-

-- isn't that so embarrassing? like you're a hassle to keep talking to.

-- it's like- like this meter: every time you mess up, it starts to go down, until they just stop talking to you.

-- Then don't talk to them. Talk to someone else.

-- but you want to talk to them. you like them- maybe they're funny, or they're nice-

-- or maybe, i don't know. maybe they just seem cool. something like that. the kind of person you wanna get close with.

-- You can't be friends with everyone, ██████- you wouldn't even want to be.

-- If talking with them just exhausts you, find a new friend.

-- but all talking is exhausting.

-- people are exhausting. having to guess their thoughts from their words, their faces, their bodies . . .

-- when did being a person mean being a mind-reader? i didn't sign up for that.

-- it's better when i'm alone. people only make things harder . . . and i only ever make a fool of myself.

-- Who's to say.

-- You'll die regardless; fool or not, it matters little.

-- I suggest you head to bed.

-- . . . you're right, aren't you! why worry?

-- you always know exactly what to say, ███: thank you.