Lab Partners

[huoriel]

Well, I have a bit of an issue at hand. In my chemistry class, we have been given new lab partners. I was okay before because my first partner was a friend of mine, and so I felt pretty comfortable. My new partner is not only the smartest person in the entire class (sometimes even more so than the teacher, but no in a stuck-up way) but my partner is a guy, and I have quite a difficult time talking to guys. We have to work with our lab partners on our homework during class, and it is really hard for me to say a word. I will usually mumble a few things here and there, but am always afraid to say more. I thought I was making a bit of progress, but now the teacher is allowing us to work with other lab groups, and his group of friends joined us, all guys. Now I don't say anything at all. Often times a girl who sits next to me will ask me questions about the homework, so when I go back to doing my own homework, they're ahead of me. Of course, me being me, am too afraid to ask them what problem they're on or what the previous answers they were (often my mind tells me they'll think I'm just using them for answers, or will completely ignore me) so I just work the rest of the time alone. It really bothers me because things like this have been happening to me practically my whole life. In band, when there was one other person in my section, and we never talked the whole year. The only thing we said was "You play well," when the band director said to compliment the other people in our section. My partner is actually a nice person, and I don't want a recap of my band experience. Does anyone have any similar experiences, or any advice? I would really be appreciative, because I don't want my shy nature to completely dominate my life anymore.