The Story of Tikay-Marie

Imaginary?

Ever since then, that's all Tikay ever talked about. At home, Kenzi and Foebe never interacted with her when she played with Johnson. Kenzington eventually started to sleep outside of Tikay's door while Foebe kept her distance during the night. When they sat for dinner, Tikay made sure there was a spot for Johnson, though he doesn't eat. Tikay's behaviors started to become unacceptable. At school, Tikay sat alone in the back of the class. If anyone came near her she would hit them or push them and even scream at him. Her behavior towards other students got so severe that the school psychologist decided to put her in a special education classroom and weekly counseling. Elijah and Cameron were devastated by this action but as parents they were willing to do anything for TIkay.

During this time they definitely saw progress in Tikay. She got switched back to her regular classes when she was in the 4th grade and socialized with other kids. She hardly ever mentioned Johnson.

               As Tikay got older she began making real friends. She participated in sports and began taking art classes. Tikay was very happy but Johnson wasn't at all. She was too busy to even acknowledge him. Johnson would appear sometimes and she would notice him and give him a small smile. Johnson thought Tikay was getting too good for him. She only gave him full attention when she was upset. That wasn't enough for him. He wanted her to be with him and only him. Things only got worse when Tikay was a sophmore in high school. She was going on dates and even to small parties with friends. When Tikay and Johnson would chat, Tikay would notice the changes in him. His skin was no longer glowing but a pale and unsettling gray and his green eyes reminded her of dying plants. His attitude was rude and he would always say something traitorous about her friends or the boys she liked. She didn't like what he was becoming, it was something dark.

One night, Tikay was getting ready for a study group with a boy she liked and some of her classmates. She was applying chap-stick to her lips when she noticed him standing in the mirror.

"When you pop up can actually say something cause you're actually starting to freak me out." she said to the man in the mirror.

Johnson let out an emotionless chuckle and said "So you noticed me this time." Johnson took a moment to scan over Tikay's outfit. "Ugh... Are you going to go see your little boy toy?"

"SHUT. UP." Tikay firmly stated.

"NO!" Johnson yells.

"You know what I tried to be nice to you and deal with this sudden change in behavior but I can't anymore. You're rude, depressing and you look like you made the cut to be a zombie in Walking Dead." she ranted as she finally turned to face him.

"NICE TO ME!?!? YOU CALL AVOIDING ME DAY IN AND DAY OUT, BEING NICE. We used to talk all the time, Ti-ma. You decided to listen to your parents, you decided to listen to Dr. Drilltas, you decided to take that stupid medication as if you actually need it. You need a new definition of nice cause you got the wrong one."

"Johnson listen to what you just said. You aren't real. You are an imaginary friend."

Johnson rolled his eyes at the word and just laughs.

"Ti-ma, if I'm so imaginary, why do you have to go to therapy? Huh. Why do you have to take medication? If I'm SOOOOO imaginary, why am I still here. You're 15, for god's sake." Johnson explains pacing around the room. Tikay doesn't even make eye contact with him. She doesn't even say a word. She just turns her back on him and closed her eyes as he began to approach her. "Truth is Ti-ma, I'm WAY past imaginary." Tikay could feel his cold breath on her ear, his body pressed against her back and his hand above her right shoulder. "I'll be with you until the day you die. I am the thing in the dark you will never get rid off."

Before Tikay could open her eyes and turn around he was gone.