This takes place in the past, when Alex and Steve were 6. There is a slight theme of neglect with Alex's family, so don't read if you're sensitive to that.

3rd Person POV

"M-Mommy! Daddy! Wait for me!" The young girl called, trying to chase after her parents. Her older sister Lisa grumbled, glaring at the younger. Lisa turned around and pushed her sister down. "You're so annoying, Alexia! Would you just shut up!?" She snapped. Alexia sighed, standing up and brushing the dirt off her dress. "Alexia, don't get yourself dirty." Her mother said warningly. Though they were walking through the forest, Alexia's family was formal, and a bit excessive. Alexia was wearing a white dress, with her long orangish-red hair in tight, uncomfortable pigtails.

Alexia, distracted by trying to keep herself clean, didn't notice her family still walking away, leaving her behind. She looked up, but found herself completely alone. In a panic, she ran off to find them, but strayed farther from the path. She looked around the woods, getting more fearful by the second. Eventually, she found a clearing with a small pond, flowers, rocks, and tall grass. There was a small boy with olive skin, dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes standing on one of the rocks. He was playing happily, waving a wooden sword around.

Alexia looked up at him in surprise. His parents didn't get angry at him for messing around like that? His clothes were covered in mud; his face was smudged with dirt. There was a kitten next to him, crawling up and down the rocks. He noticed her and smiled. "Hi! I'm Steve!" He said brightly. "I-I'm Alexia..." She said, still surprised. "That's a really fancy name. Got anything more casual?" He asked. "Um, no... That's all I've been called." She responded. "Well, can I call you Alex?" He suggested. She smiled a little, "I like that." She admitted. "Cool! Me an' my cat were playing princess, dragon, and knight. But I don't have a princess. Wanna play with us?"

She looked around in confusion. "In here?" She asked. "Um, yea?" Steve responded. "But, it's really really dirty." She said, looking back at him. "That's the point! It's awesome!" He said, jumping off the rock and to the ground. "Is it really fun?" She issued. "Yea! You can be the princess!" He said. "What's the game?" Alexia, or now Alex, asked. "The princess has been kidnapped by the dragon who stole her magic, and the knight must go to free her and her magic! And you can fight the dragon too!" Steve said. "Do we have a script?" She asked. "Nope! We make it up as we go!" He said cheerfully. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Who's the dragon?" She asked. "My kitty, Latte!" The tiny tabby cat darted around happily. Alex smiled, "Alright then." She said. "Let's start!"

As the game progressed, Alex started having more and more fun. It began to rain, and they were eventually soaked, making them excited and run around. Alex went to the top of one of the rocks as Steve jumped in puddles. He jumped in a particularly deep one, causing a large splash. Some of the mud splattered on the edge of Alex's dress. She and Steve stared at it in shock. Alex suddenly felt a smile creep onto her face. Her fears and anxiety flew away, not caring what anyone would think. She jumped off the rocks and into the puddles. Mud splattered all over her, and even more relief rushed over her. Steve smiled, taking something out of his backpack. It was a wooden toy pickaxe. She took it and smiled.

And so they played happily, for what seemed like hours. Alex got dirtier and dirtier by the second; petals and flowers, mud, grass, and sap from trees covered her dress. They both were happy to finally have someone to play with. Alex tackled Steve, laughing more than she'd ever laughed. They tumbled to the ground as the rain poured.

"ALEXIA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Alex sat up immediately, her green eyes wide with shock. "H-hi Mommy..." She whispered. The woman grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Alex hid the small wooden pickaxe behind her back. She looked back at Steve sadly, wishing she could stay and play with him. They got back home and Alex was told to stay in her room. She stayed there until night, staring out the window and longing to play with her friend again. 

A pebble was thrown at her window. She jolted awake and looked through the glass. "Steve?" She whispered, looking at the small boy looking at her. He waved, "Wanna keep playing? We'll be more careful this time." He said, loud enough for her to hear. She smiled excitedly and nodded. She quickly opened her window and crawled out. "Let's go!" She yipped, grabbing her new friend's hand and her pickaxe, and running off.