"Yes."

The answer comes out quieter than she would've liked. She swallows thickly once more and then reaches out to take the ball when he offers it to her. She's trying to ignore the fact that she's trembling (just a bit) and how much she hates herself for admitting that to him.

"I'm fine," she snaps as he goes on. It's an instinctive reaction as she tries to fight back against all of the feelings of inadequacy (if you were stronger, you could fight through this) that seem to weigh her down.

"I'm here now, aren't I?"

Even if she does sound a bit shrill.