Luke is the definition of social anxiety, he's awkward and uncomfortable around other people, which is why he's always preferred the company of his laptop rather than other kids. He was originally attracted to the Internet because it was a way for him to socialize with out the anxiety of being face-to-face with others and the fearful possibility of judgment. He sees beauty in the world and everyone around him, but not in himself. He has a poor self esteem which doesn't make it any easier for him to be around other people. He feels like he always says the wrong thing, even when he takes the time to choose his words carefully, and always regrets not being able to back space in real life.
If you get to know him (if he lets you, that is), then you realize Lucas isn't what you would call shy. Strangers have occasionally mistaken him for a mute, but the truth is that if he feels comfortable around you then he could talk for hours. He's an adventurous, funny, and sweet guy who always puts others around him before himself. He struggles with the fact that his interests are different than most guys his age and constantly feels like he doesn't fit in but he's trying his best to make friends this summer, even if the least it does is stop his parents from worrying that he'll never let anyone close enough to be a friend.
âĨ Loud Music âĨ Bands âĨ Organization âĨ Hot Chocolate âĨ Hoodies
â Being Forced To Speak â Pressure â Bugs â Mirrors
â Losing Family â Therapists
Luke's parents have been worrying about him ever since he refused to join the baseball team his father was coaching at the age of ten. He's never been like all the other boys his age, always sort of stood out, and when he got diagnosed with social anxiety at the age of thirteen it only made his parents worry more. His parents think the best way to get Luke out of the house and cure him of his illness is to force him into social situations, although Luke tried to convince his parents how badly that would affect him, they didn't listen, which is why he's signed up for summer camp (aka his worst nightmare). He's prepared for this to be the worst summer of his life, especially since he won't have Internet access the entire time he's at camp.