Now Sonia really does look embarrassed, her cheeks darkening as she casts her gaze downward. "I never said it makes me weak," is the start of a feeble protest, but she lets it drop, along with her shoulders.

"It just...doesn't feel like it," she says, but she knows that's a weak answer, too. With an outward breath, she draws her knees up under her skirt and hugs them to her, resting her chin on her arm. "It's...it's just...I don't know."