It's difficult to listen to him say this. He is saying it about himself and Abby likes him (it's sad), but also because it is deeply relatable. How many times has she thought these exact things about herself whenever she's stuck in some gross, self-pitying loop? I want to be someone people can like. I'm not sure who I even am anymore. Whoever I am, I don't think I'm worth very much. It's weird to hear that come out of somebody else's mouth.
She's quiet as she listens, looking at her plate and letting herself be uncomfortable, to sit in her feelings and sort through them. That's something she's learning to do too.
Finally, she clears her throat.
"I mean—I know it's not the same thing, but I like you. And other people like you, Benedict. Byerly does, and Ellie does." There's more, of course, but a list isn't the point she's trying to make here. Let her guess at something. "I think you like people who treat you like shit because you don't think you deserve anything better than that, even though you do."
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She's quiet as she listens, looking at her plate and letting herself be uncomfortable, to sit in her feelings and sort through them. That's something she's learning to do too.
Finally, she clears her throat.
"I mean—I know it's not the same thing, but I like you. And other people like you, Benedict. Byerly does, and Ellie does." There's more, of course, but a list isn't the point she's trying to make here. Let her guess at something. "I think you like people who treat you like shit because you don't think you deserve anything better than that, even though you do."