I've recently seen the 2002 version of Carrie. For those who haven't seen it, it's based on a Stephen King novel about a (telekinetic) girl whose life is made a living hell by both her mother and everyone at school. Then when someone tries to do something nice for her (namely, setting her up with a hot prom date), someone else ruins everything (by dumping a bucket of pig's blood on her as she's crowned prom queen). This, in turn, causes Carrie to snap and kill everyone at the prom, before ultimately killing her mom and dying as a result of overuse of her telekinesis (except in the 2002 version where's given rescue breathing and survives). It's a really sad story from beginning to end.

For some reason it really struck a chord with me, and I've wanted to find other fans to discuss the film with. What I've found is that many, many people have stated that if Carrie came to their school, they'd be her friend. Indeed, so would I (hell, I've got a whole fantasy that involves going into the movie and preventing the prom night massacre from happening. Most of it is stupid, though, so I won't elaborate on it here). And I want to find people like her (or at least, people with depression like me whose lives are a living hell) and help them.

But looking back, what I've found is that, in all likelihood, no. Nobody in the real world would be Carrie's friend. Just like in the book and movies, no one would want anything to do with Carrie.

And that's where the title of this thread comes in. Back when I was in eighth grade and my depression was in full force, I switched middle schools. Being the depressed asshole that I was, I was a prick to everyone. The kids were nothing but nice to me (usually), and in return, I pushed them away, convinced they were lying or that it was all an act.

At my new school, there was a girl that everyone thought was a slut. Looking back, I wonder if she was going through the same things I was and was coping differently. I treated her no differently than anyone else -- in fact, I think she got it worse because she kept trying to talk to me. A couple of months before school let out, she transferred.

A couple of years later, I found out she had gotten pregnant and decided to keep the baby. Still has it, as far as I know. I felt a bit of guilt then, but I didn't think much of it at the time.

A few months ago, she contacted me on Facebook. Once again, I thought little of it.

Not long ago, however, it occurred to me: maybe if I had been nicer to her, this never would have happened. Maybe if I had reached out to her, things would have played out differently.

Bottom line? I had a run-in with my own Carrie White. I did nothing. And look what happened.

So, I have to wonder how many of us would, if we're being honest with ourselves, truly reach out to Carrie -- the girl who, though she doesn't bother anyone, is deemed "unworthy" by the popular kids -- and how many of us would throw her to the wolves like everyone else.  I suspect many of us would fall into the latter camp.  Chalk it up to personal experience and having absolutely no faith in humanity.