Parasitic relationship

Chapter 5 - protect

Alex looked at her in shock and disbelief whilst Rosie looked at him in anticipation.
"Why...would you assume I would take advantage of you like that?" He asked.
"I just explained it. I've thought about it a lot. And your behaviour is...Well...unexpected from someone like you. You may be attractive and all, but you honestly don't seem like the type of person that would genuinely help people unless they get something in return. Heck, the first time you met me you made a comment on my looks. But you tell me. What do you want?" She explained.

"So that's how you view me huh? Well I get where you're coming from. And honestly, it perfectly describes the stuff you see on social media actually. But I'm not doing this for clout. I'm not helping you out whilst shoving a camera all over your face, am I?"
Rosie continued to look at him.
He sighed,
"Well, this might sound like bullshit but I once was someone vulnerable like you. And many people have helped me to become who I am today. But it's not just that. The stuff I do...it's pretty mentally draining. Having to deal with dead people and see people look sad all the time. And particularly you...your situation is not something worth living for. And I understand why you feel the way you do. And that's why I want to help you. Because no one else will. And you've already shown me that. In fact, the only thing I'm gaining from all this is the pleasure of knowing that I've helped someone...Helped someone live and feel good about themselves. I want you to feel good about yourself. But I'm not sure how I'm gonna do that right now since I'm no therapist after all. All I know is that you're not going anywhere alone tonight." Alex made direct eye contact with Rosie whilst giving her a serious yet sad look.

As he said all this, Rosie began to feel a sense of warmth. An unfamiliar feeling yet a comforting feeling.

"You can choose not to believe me. But I'm not letting you go. Whatever you could end up doing when you get home...It's not something worth imagining. And I'm sure you'd regret it immensely." Said Alex.

Rosie walked back to her seat and sighed.
"I don't know what to do anymore. Ever since dad died...No...Even before he died...I just feel terrible every day. I dread waking up, going to school. It's even reached the point where I'm scared to even look at my own reflection. My cheekbones are sticking out, my eyeballs look like they're about to fall out," she looked at her arm, "my whole skeletal system is visible at this point...And it's scary. I wonder how you can even make eye contact with me without feeling creeped out. Let alone look at me at all. And not only that, every week I'm always sick and because of my illness I can't even eat properly...I'm talking too much aren't I?"
Alex nodded,
"Not at all. It seems to me you've been bottling up these emotions the whole time, haven't you? Did you talk to your father about these feelings?"
She nodded.
"Let me guess...You didn't want him to worry about you?" He answered.
She stayed quiet.
Alex smiled a little as he stroked her shoulders.
"See, you focus on all the bad things about yourself but you never acknowledge the good things about yourself. You care for other people and always consider their feelings which you did even towards me. So instead of focusing on the unimportant things such as appearance, why don't you just focus on your personality and your qualities. The things that people really look out for?"
Rosie let out a nervous laugh.
"Are you even a real person? Can you be the weak one for once?"
Alex laughed at her remark.
"No one's perfect. Not even me. But less talking and more focusing on your health. I'll go get a first aid kit from the other room, do you mind waiting here for a bit?" He then looked at the radio across his desk. "Perhaps you would wanna listen to some music?" He suggested.
Rosie nodded,
"Yes please,"

He then walked to his desk and turned on the radio which played popular music from around the world.
"You're doing great Rosie, just calm down and relax, everything will be fine." He smiled at her for a moment and walked to the other room.
Rosie sat down and thought to herself.
"He has such a wonderful smile. But then again, he looks really handsome in general. And not only that, he's the kindest person I've ever met. His behaviour and his way with words...It almost reminds me of a doctor.
He has all the girls obsessing over him as well...I wonder...I've never really thought of the idea of being attracted to someone romantically. Maybe that's because there's no hope for finding me a partner to begin with...Yeah...That's right...There's no way someone like him would have any romantic feelings for me. Even so, he probably wouldn't wanna be caught dead dating a ghostly looking person like me...yeah, that's the reality isn't it?"