Putting some bacon in the pan she thought about his question, not managing to look at him during this time. It wasn't as if she hadn't been asked this question before, it was just that she hadn't seemed to care what the other people thought of her answer to it.
"Well...first of all, what people think of me lead into how they treat me. And I care more how people treat others than anything else. The reason today got to me so much was because three teenagers that I've never even met in my entire life decided I was, excuse my language, a snobby bitch because of the shopping bags I was carrying." Alyssa looked over at him briefly and then back to what she was doing with the food, "It was utterly embarrassing River. Having things thrown on you while you're minding your own business, and before you say anything there is a difference between accidental and meaning to here."
Flipping the bacon in the pan she was quiet for another moment, "And secondly, there is nothing wrong with caring how people perceive you. Everyone does it. Even you." She looked at him to see the look on his face, "I'm sure you'd care if someone thought you were this big ball of happy sunshine who was going around helping every person in his path...because that isn't who you are. Sure, you help people. But not to that extent, not to the level of being this huge ball of sunshine walking down the street with a huge smile plastered on your face." Going over to the fridge she pulled out a bottle of apple juice and opened it while waiting for the things to cook. "But I think you'd care equally if someone thought you to be so evil and cruel they crossed the street to simply avoid being near you. When someone thinks little of a person, said person always cares. More so when there is no justifiable reason for it."
Twisting the cap back on her drink she went to the stove, "But its mainly the first thing. How people perceive you directly relates to how they treat you. And I personally want to be treated with respect and kindness and the ability to keep my dignity intact."