Dread filled my thoughts as I got dressed for the work day. I don't like waking up early, it makes my eyes look tired. I feel exposed, even in my visage.

I glared at the semi transparent mask hanging next to my mirror. It reflected the light right into my eyes. When I was unemployed it felt nice to not have to wear it every day, but money makes the world go round I guess.

This is how every morning goes, even on my days off. I try to stay busy at home. I don't like leaving the house, having to wear the mask. I wish I had people like me, friends I could hang out with. I must have made my visage too cold, I'm not sure. I'm not creative, I don't have the vision, I don't know how to open up to people. That's why I always fantasize about having friends instead of trying to actually make them.

My stomach tightened as I grabbed the visage. I turned it to face me, its eyeless blank expression mocked me. Saying things like “I'm just an accessory, the face behind me is unlikeable.”

I let out a long sigh and slipped it over my face.

Dan caught his blurred features in the mirror. He couldn't delay much longer. He was running late for the rest of his life.

He'd been working this office job as a temp for three weeks now. Nothing exciting, just data entry. Every morning, he would begrudgingly sit down at his cubicle, take the first folder out of his inbox, punch numbers into a program, stamp the folder, and put it in his outbox. A vocation anyone should be proud of. He dreamed of something different, but could never form an idea of specifics.

He badged in the door when that irritating fuck Jerry locked eyes with him. Dan snapped his eyes to the floor and sped up his pace to get to his desk a little faster, though not fast enough to be accused of running.

Dan slumped into his chair and logged in to the computer. He wasn't quick enough, Jerry poked his head around the corner like a meerkat on the lookout for a predator. His visage was stretched out into a wide smile, mimicking his genuine smile underneath.

“Hey, Dan. How was your weekend?” He said. Dan tried not to wince at the joyful cadence.

“It was good, I didn't have to talk to anyone” Dan said, Jerry didn't pick up the hint or chose to ignore it.

“Oh yeah? Me and Linda hiked up Rose Hill, brought some beers with us and listened to the band in the park.”

“That sounds like fun” The sarcasm was involuntary. It actually did sound like fun to him.

“It was, maybe you could tag along. We always drag a few friends with us.” His visage gesticulated as he rambled.

“Ehh, maybe” Dan said. Probably not. Dan never left his comfort zone. Jerry stood there and nodded for a second, waiting for Dan to continue. After an uncomfortable silence, he heel-turned to go bother someone else. Dan didn't feel like socializing at work, he just wanted to do his job and go home.

Inevitably, he found himself taking an especially long break in a bathroom stall. This day wasn't any different. He slipped into the handicapped stall, it offered more space than the others.

Taking a deep breath, he peeled off his visage.

I could go with Jerry. The worst thing about him is he's just a little too happy. I'm sure his wife and friends are nice. They probably would think I'm weird though. Maybe I will take his offer. I think I have been hiding in the bathroom a bit too long. I should go back.

I slipped the visage back on.

Jerry was chatting up some coworkers as Dan made his way back to his desk. The group erupted in laughter, their visage contorted into the same rotten smiles. Dan's chest boiled over into a rage, he felt stupid for even considering a friendship with Jerry. Fuck that guy,

On the way out, Jerry waved to Dan. He tried way too hard. Dan didn't return the wave.

He arrived home, stripped off his visage and tossed it into the corner.

I considered tending to my plants or reading a book. But my heart wasn't in it. The loneliness that comes with not sharing your life can kill even the things you love.

I spent the rest of the week feeling tired. Way more tired than usual. I ignored morning alarms, fell asleep at work, and went straight to bed when I got home.

My visage felt tight, so I took it to a craft shop. I explained to the smithy what was happening and he offered me a fix.

“A visage liner” he called it. A thin film you wear underneath, softens it up a little. I'd give it a shot. What would I do? Not wear a visage? No. That wasn't an option.

The catch was once you wore a liner, you had to wear it at home too, “Ain't no easy outs.” He said.

Sunday morning, I took the liner out of its specialty box and inspected it. It was a sticky, thin film, I followed the instructions and laid it over my face. A warm tingling sensation dripped into my pores but other than that, nothing felt different. The smithy said it might take time to adjust to it. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

The next week was a very normal week. Jerry was still his annoying self. Dan wasn't in the mood to deal with the guy.

At home, he felt constricted, the liner had proved to be slightly uncomfortable. He was beginning to forget what his face looked like underneath.

Friday rolled around and Jerry ambushed him coming out of the bathroom.

“Happy Friday, Dan!” He said a little too loud.

“Sure is.” Dan laid the sarcasm on thick, “What do you do for fun, Jerry?” He paused, like he didn't expect to offer an avenue to keep talking.

Jerry's face lit up. Dan braced himself for the inevitable wave of information.

“You know, I decided to try bass guitar!” He then went on a ten minute rant about the idiosyncrasies of playing bass. Things Dan would have never thought about in a million years.

And he didn't hate it.

The next month flew by smooth as butter. The liner was starting to feel more natural, Dan and Jerry started spending time together outside of work; Of course, that was Jerry's idea, Dan's was to learn drums so they could jam together. Jerry actually had a broad, interesting taste in music that he freely shared with Dan.

Dan's visage liner started getting ratty. He went back to the smithy to get another one.

“Hows it working for ya?” The smithy asked as he inspected the old liner.

“I'm actually doing way better. My visage doesn't feel uncomfortable anymore; it's working out real well for me.” I was impressed at how well the liners worked.

“Some people don't take to em’, oh boy that becomes a mess. I'm glad it worked out for you.” he patted me on the back and handed me my fresh liner. I put it on before even leaving the smithy.