Navigating Liverpool can be dangerous. Especially if it's your first time there.
An adolescent girl gets lost many times, her golden blond hair blowing in her face.
The cool breeze has brought a natural blush upon her cheeks, and she frowns a bit.
She pulls her coat tighter around herself, buttoning the jacket although the zipper is broken, and pulling her knit hat down lower to block the wind from her face.
She bumps into something warm, an unsuspecting person.
"I'm sorry." She manages to get out. She blushes a darker shade of scarlet, out of embarrassment.
"It's quite alright." The stranger speaks, now calculating the young child in her meekness. The child does the same to the stranger.
She is average height with brown hair and black glasses that have a large frame. She seems to be around the same age.
The stranger extends a hand. "I'm Mara Jaffray, what's your name?"
The blond looks at Mara for a minute, and then shakes her hand. "Nina Martin. I'm new around these parts, and I seem to be lost."
She shivers, and the stranger smiles invitingly. "I'll show you around, if you like. Where are you looking for?"
And that was the beginning of the friendship between a shy girl and a polite stranger.
Days later, the girls are sitting in Nina's rented apartment, talking and having biscuits with tea.
"I haven't properly introduced you to anyone yet, have I?" Mara asked, thinking.
Nina shook her head, but smiled at the girl.
"Would you fancy meeting my friends today? We're going to my house and I wouldn't want you to be all alone in Liverpool." She asked politely.
"I would love that, if you think your friends would like to meet me. I wouldn't want to be a bother, or intrude." The shy girl looked down at her shoes.
"I would love it if they met you and we all became friends. How long did you say you would be in England again?" Mara asked, thoughtfully.
"For this year if I'm lucky. I might have to leave early if my Gran's health deteriorates further. She's all the family I have left." The blond says, brushing some hair from in front of her face.
"You're very brave." Says Mara, giving Nina a half-hug.
She smiles shyly at the compliment, like she always does.
"Well, come on." Mara stands up, lending Nina a hand.
She thanks Mara and stands as well, and the girls set off to Mara's house.
"Are you ready?" Mara asks the wavering blond.
She gives a meek nod, which Mara takes as a signal to open the door.