See where life is going with this.

When you look up at this new figure, the first word that comes to your mind is "soft". You hope it's not too judgmental to think this, but there's a distinct plumpness to her arms, thighs, and torso. Add that to her hair, made of light curls like candy floss that roll down over her shoulders, and you start entertaning thoughts of what would have happened had you collided with her that fateful day, and not Alex. It'd almost be like a pillow, and you wouldn't even have fallen. You would have just sunk into her.

She approaches close and gets on one knee to get to your seated level. Her smile is wide and bright and focused entirely on you. It's like a light shining down on you... just like Alex. Except, whereas Alex's light was bathing you in the glow of salvation, this girl's is just glaring in your face. You wonder whether you should tell her you can see up her skirt and right to her baby-blue underwear in this position. You wonder whether she cares.

"Couldn't help but notice you sittin' there, lookin' all sad. I figured I might as well get over here, because there's no use in misery. Gotta get your spirits up!"

You admire her commitment, at least. While only a fool would suggest anything she's able to do will be able to shake your blues, she's giving it a good go. There's something appealing who keeps a smile when dealing with an impossible task, and they don't get much more impossible than dealing with your emotions. "Thanks for offering, I guess, but... it's not something one person and their words can fix."

"Nonsense, nonsense!" She seems as upbeat as ever. "There ain't a thing that I can't make even a little better. It's like my friends always say... Go to Mae, and get your troubles washed away! Oh yeah, I'm Mae. So, what's your name?"

"Not that it's worth remembering, but it's Rosie." You can't remember the last time you were so harsh to yourself, even though it was probably just days ago.

"Rosie, Rosie..." She seems to be distracted by a thought and mutters to herself, mulling over the name you gave her. "...Oh, yeah! You're that gal that Alex keeps on yappin' my ear off about, aren'tcha? Small, quiet, cute as a little button? That Rosie!"

So she's Alex's friend? It only stings more knowing that this is someone who hasn't alienated her. Someone who's worthy of her love. "Alex talked about me?" Talked. Not talks. Alex is in the past. And that's your fault.

"Oh yeah, can't stop talkin' about you!" She suddenly starts to avoid your gaze, and that's clued you in instantly that what she's saying is a massive lie. "She tells everyone who's listenin' about how awesome you are, and how she can't wait for all of us to meet you. Heh, lucky me, gettin' a head start on all the others!"

You're now expecting nothing from this girl, but something inside you makes you want to push further. "And... have you seen Alex lately?"

She continues transparently fibbing, her voice becoming rather scattered. "Uh, no... Not at all, I haven't seen her. I've been lookin' all around, up and down, but no. There's uh... no sign of Alex here."

So... Another one who's decided you're not even worth telling the truth to. Great. Fantastic. You now know what's going on. She's been talking to Alex, and Alex has been telling her how pathetic you are. How you're not even worth thinking about. You slump into yourself just a bit more, looking down at the wood below you. This floor is where you belong. It's tough, and unforgiving, and doesn't pretend you're deserving of anything else. At least it won't lie to your face.

"Hey, Rosie." You realise that not only has Mae not left, she's back to gazing at you again. "You know what I always do? When my friends need to feel just a little better... I let 'em touch me somewhere. Ya know, squeeze and rub. Nothin' sexual, kinda. Just let 'em squish me. Does that make me a slut? Not really. I'm just comfy with who I am. So... you wanna feel?"