"So," Aiden said as she made herself fly higher and higher on the swing set, "Do you love anybody?"
Near was sitting on the swing next to her, gently rocking himself back and forth. "I suppose I do, why?"
"Well you are going to be my new best pal, I need to know these things."
"Why am I you new best pal?"
Aiden dug her trainers into the ground and made herself stop swinging abruptly. "Well," She said, "I don't really have anyone else."
"So you'd rather be with someone who doesn't like you than by yourself?"
Near immediately regretted his choice of words, more so when Aiden pulled her sheep close to her chest and was quite for a really long time. He didn't mean it. He doesn't even know why he said it, probably just to shut her up.
"So," Aiden asked again, ignoring Near's question, "Do you love anybody?"
Near nodded. "Yes, I suppose."
"Who?"
"Mello."
Aiden smiled and nodded. "Best pals know these sorts of things."