"I know what you meant," she replied kindly. "I was only teasing." Somehow she got the impression that bringing attention to his anxiety would only make things worse for him, so she abstained from making a comment about it. Conversation could be difficult when you didn't know which direction to take it. She knew that from experience.
David explained the situation with Liberty Island and the fact he'd been there for two years, and she nodded her understanding. "I get that, totally. The only time I really leave Federal Hall is when my brother offers to take me somewhere, which isn't that often, but I don't mind. I know he's busy. It's enough that I get out at all, and really, with the whole intranet and facetime thing, I don't feel all that deprived."
Dropping her gaze from the screen for a moment, Allie bit her lip. "Besides that, I'm actually kind of afraid of going outside." It was her subtle way of saying she'd never been bitten by a zombie. She gave a small, sheepish laugh. Maybe it was silly, being afraid to go out there, considering how other people in her position (the non-bitten) were brave enough to go out anyway.
A party was supposed to be this big, exciting thing. Allie couldn't comprehend how anyone could be averse to not attending, especially since occasions such as these were rare at best. Everyone deserved a reprieve from the depressing day-to-day routine. The fervor of her reaction faded somewhat the instant David's gaze dropped away from hers, as if he were completely ashamed to be admitting that he wasn't coming to her party.
Allie bit her lip, forcing herself to resume her casual sitting position. She hadn't meant to scare or intimidate him like that. As far as intimidation went, her tactic wasn't so much bullying as it was being entirely over-exuberant. Too strong. Cool it down, Als, she told herself.
Brows curved in concern, she offered him an apologetic smile. "I would really like it if you came, David. Please consider it," she said, more calmly this time, but with no less sincerity. "And if you decide not to, well, that's okay, too. Really."