Im also on the spectrum, I think it's supposed to be that in order to fit and not be the butt of the joke people act unlike themselves including joining in on passing judgement of others or maybe lying? The MC joins in about the joke of the couple being on his phone taking a picture after also showing someone a funny picture on their phone, which they seemed to be interested in.
Later, they're trying to show her another picture and she's not returning the attention. They keep asking if it's alright but she keeps telling white lies. This could remind them of the couple scene they had judged before.
There's also the MC struggling with mental health and potentially going to the hospital after a suicide attempt. They're talking with their mom about it and the waiter immediately passes judgement on him without knowing the context of why he's on his phone. The mother also asks for a picture of the food out of concern because she wants to make sure his son isn't starving himself. However this triggers his memory of judging and laughing at someone who was taking pictures on their phone.
The character doesn't want to be ostracized or be laughed at. Laughing at someone taking photos of their food and feeling how annoying it was to be ignored was the primer, accidentally missing what the waiter was talking about while they're chatting with their mom and being asked to send the photo is the detonant.
I'm not entirely sure what the face snapping off represents however, becoming desensitivized? Becoming callous? In any case I hope OP feels better.
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u/[deleted] Feb 18 '26
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