I smile. I smile every day.

But behind that seemingly cheerful smile, the deceitfully joyful eyes, there's a heaviness. A sort of bitter sadness that weighs down on me. Heavy and crushing, there's only one word for it: loneliness. True loneliness. Even in this loud, crowded conference room, I'm alone.

As we enter, the Baltics drift off, searching for their friends, and the crowd wanders everywhere, except near me.

I know that many of the others fear me. But all I want is someone who will understand and help me. For how long? How long will I have to wait?