You are someone I don't have to be strong for.

Because that side of it is all about him.

The factory was empty that she was sure of. That was the only reason she was still there crying silently into a mug of scotch because she can't cry to anyone else. Not even the man she loves because he's not there he's chasing his own demons.

"Carla?"

She looks up having become so consumed in her own thoughts she hadn't even realised that the factory door had squeaked open bringing her face to face with one of her closest friends. But even she can't bring herself to face the younger woman in her time of what she would only call self pity. So she drops her eyes downwards and focuses instead on the amber brown liquid in her mug.

"'Chelle." It was a mere mumble a statement not a greeting. More tears leak from her eyes because she is ashamed. Ashamed at having been caught in such a state because of the mess she had made by falling for someone elses man. Again. This man has his own problems and when combined with hers he isn't strong enough to hold her up in her time of need so he crumbles and he seeks his solace at the bottom of his own bottle.

Gentle hands prise the mug away from her trembling ones and through the blur of tears she can make out wide concerned eyes. She was never selfish where Carla was concerned.

Michelle occupies the seat next to her at not once does she ask how she is feeling because she already knows the answer. Instead she slips a comforting arm around her shoulder and is shocked when the broken woman falls against her chest sobbing because she's finally realised that she is someone she doesn't have to be strong for. Soft warm arms can hold her just as firmly as his can and while she sobs the other woman will focus solely on comforting her. Not once will those eyes divert to the bottle of scotch on the cluttered desk because she has no desire for the liquid. Carla's resolve weakens with every comforting stroke of her hair and she does not care now that the other woman has enough strength for the both of them. She allows her self to be held as she sobs into the thin cotton top that Michelle chose to wear which is now becoming stained with grey smudges of Carla's expensive and supposedly waterproof mascara.

Her sobs finally subside and she becomes conscious of the soothing patterns made by comforting fingertips across her back relaxing her enough to have been able to send her off if her position wasn't one that was now making her uncomfortable. Her eyes were red and sore when she finally sat up her face white with gray streaks of a lifetime of heartbreak bleeding down them. Her friends eyes mirror the way she is broken because she cannot bear to see such a friend breaking infront of her.

"Let's go home." Carla realises it doesn't matter where Michelle's taking her, as long as she stays because at that moment Michelle is home, because she is safe and warm and strong and that night she wasn't going to let anyone else in. So with an exhausted nod Carla allows her cold trembling hand to be taken firmly by a softer warmer one and rises to her feet albeit unsteadily from her liquid comfort source. She isn't completely intoxicated and can be lead out of the factory with ease her mind numb and compelling. The cool air fails to wake her from her exhausted state but she knows it won't be long until she can sleep because her friend will make sure she's safe that night and maybe she'll stay and help her get rid of some of her nightmares. A gentle squeeze reminds her that she needs to keep walking if she wants nothing more than to collapse into bed and so with a mental grateful smile that she cannot seem to make reach her lips she allows Michelle to lead her over to the car.

Just a short one to start with. Not too sure what I have planned for this I'm just playing around with a few ideas.