Just My Imagination...

Through The Years

Through the years, Pete never left me. He stayed by my side and continued to be my friend. As I grew, so did he. It honestly felt like he was real... Well... Minus no one else being able to see him...

It was perfectly fine, until I reached my freshman year of high school. I still had no real friends, but Pete stuck by me. He sat on my desk during class, kicking his feet as the teacher went on with the lesson. He playfully blocked my view, making me lean from side to side in order to see around him. That earned me a seat in the front of the class as well as an eye exam.

"I told you that you needed glasses." Pete had nudged my arm as I adjusted them on my face. I just gave him a half smile.

Not long after that, during my sophomore year, I was sent to the school therapist after being caught 'talking to myself'... When in all actuality, I was talking to Pete.

"How are you today, Patrick?" She smiled warmly at me.

"I'm fine, Miss. Camper..." I mumbled, looking at the ground.

"Oh damn..." Pete bit his lip as he looked her up and down. He walked over and twisted some of her hair between his fingers, "She's hot...I'd tap that..."

"Knock it off, Pete." I hissed lowly.

Miss. Camper shivered slightly before responding, "Pete? Who's Pete?"

I continued to look down, while still keeping an eye on Pete. "He's no one..."

"Damn, you cock block." Pete laughed, letting her hair fall through his fingers. He walked back over to me and planted a kiss on my cheek, "You know I'm only teasing..."

I froze slightly. That was the first time he had kissed me. It was just a cheek kiss, but it still send butterflies fluttering through me. Had I really developed a crush for someone who wasn't even there?.. But I could feel him...

"Patrick?" Miss. Camper tilted her head at me, "Are you alright?"

"Kids are never alright." I said, standing from my chair.

"Patrick, hun, we're not done." Miss. Camper tried to reach out her hand, but I was already walking to the door.

"I am..." I mumbled, walking through the door with Pete right behind me.

"I'll never be done." Pete grinned, planting another kiss on the back of my neck as we walked.

My junior year, I had to continue to visit the school therapist. I never spoke much, just let her talk while Pete whispered to me or made faces to try and make me crack a smile. There was nothing too bad that year... It didn't get bad until my senior year of highschool.

I was just sitting under a mangled tree at lunch while Pete dangled from one of its precarious branches. I talked lowly, so nobody but Pete would notice my words. It was then that something that had never happened before occurred. Another student addressed me.

"Stump!" I looked up and saw someone stomping over to where I sat.

Pete fell from the tree, standing defensively next to me. The figure, of course, didn't see him. He even walked straight through Pete, with only a slight shiver.

"Talking to yourself again, Stump?" The bully sniggered.

I looked down, ignoring his gaze and words.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, loser!" I was caught off guard by the boot that then collided with my side, sending me into a face plant on the ground. I groaned, trying to get back up. "You answer me when I talk to you." The bully spat at me, his wad of spit hitting my hair and beginning to drip down.

"Patrick!" Pete looked furious.

Before I could say anything to him, however, there was another violent kick to my side. The wind was knocked out of me as a small cry escaped my lips.

"Seventeen is too old for imaginary friends, freak!" The bully laughed, landing another kick to my side.

"Not too old for me to beat the shit out of you." I heard Pete's voice, but I couldn't see him. My glasses had fallen from my nose, and dust was causing my eyes to water. I could hear though.

I heard screaming. Pained screaming. For what felt like ages before I felt a familiar touch to my side.

"Patrick? Hey, my Lil buddy, are you alright?" His hand trailed up to my face as he spoke soothingly to me. I reached up, trying to rub the dirt from my eyes, but a much more violent touch than Pete's stopped me.

"Did you do this!?" Someone screamed at me.

"I didn't-" I tried to explain, but I was cut off.

"He's not looking good. What the fuck is wrong with you, kid? You're coming with me right now."

I was janked violently to my feet and nearly dragged along. I still could hardly see. Everything was blurred and distorted. I felt fear build in my chest.

What had happened?

Where was Pete?

Where was I being taken?

As if he heard me, I felt Pete's fingers messing with mine. "Hey, things will be okay." He promised me, softly.

"I'm scared, Pete..." I mumbled, still trying to blink my vision back into semi-decency.

"Who's Pete?" The same screaming voice asked me harshly.

I stayed quiet.

I was punished for whatever happened to the bully. I was never told in full detail, and Pete would never tell me... But whatever it was, it was bad. I was going to be sent to prison, but due to the fact that I was still technically a minor, they came up with an alternative.

Miss. Camper helped with that. She brought notes from all of our sessions... Which helped find me 'mentally unstable'. I wouldn't be sent to prison, but I would be admitted to a psychiatric hospital... With no chance of getting out soon...

Pete sat with me through the whole process, squeezing my hand.

"We'll be okay, Patrick." He repeated, softly, stroking his thumb over the back of my hand, "I'll stay with you... I promised."