Mr Imaginary Friend

by Niamh Baxter

As we stared up into the sky, I let out a small sigh. It will never be like this forever, as time goes on I will fade away even more. I turn to look at Oscar, a huge smile on his face as he carefully watches the clouds dance across the sky. I sit up, noticing some boys in the park. They run around having fun. Quickly I turn to Oscar, who is now staring at them too. I frown at him, knowing that soon, he will be like them. Slowly I hold my hand up, it's gradually fading away. It doesn't surprise me though, it happens all the time, even if I don't want it to. Oscar was sitting up now, just like me. His attention was still on the boys playing.

I remember the time we went to the zoo, all the loud animals. Oh! And that time we went to the park and got stuck in the mud. Once we went to a disco and danced like nobody was watching, but they were. But did we care? No! I've had so many good times with him; it's going to be hard to let him go.

"Oscar!" a loud shout interrupts my thoughts. I see the boys from earlier running towards us. Oscar looks up at them, his bright smile still plastered on his face.

Suddenly I notice how quick I'm fading and how quick Oscar is leaving. I jump up as fast as I can and try to grab him by the arm, but of course my hands fly through him like they always do. Soon he is walking away and all I can do is watch.

"Oscar..." I whisper, realising I didn't have time to say goodbye. To my surprise he turns around and stares straight into my eyes. At first he frowns but it slowly forms into a smile. "Thank you" he mouthed and waved at me. I wave back and give him the biggest smile I could. As I walk away, pleased with myself, my whole body starts disappearing. I am ready to go, knowing I am not needed anymore; I have done my job which fills me with pride and joy.
...
Suddenly I'm reappearing and a small girl is looking up at me. "Come on Hope!" I hear a woman call, probably her mother.
"Come on!" the little girl tells me and gestures me to follow her. As I walk behind her, I smile to myself. A new friend to live with. A friend to help. A new person for Mr Imaginary Friend to look after.