Protector

Freshly Fallen Snow

•Y/N: Your Name

Your POV: Four Years Later

A soft sigh passes my lips as I stare blankly out the window, watching as large clumps of snowflakes flutter down to the ground. I try to lose myself in thought in hopes to relax, but the memory plaguing my mind from this morning agitates me to no end. A hand belonging to my unseeable friend softly massages my shoulder from behind in attempts to comfort me, while I can hear the faint droning coming from my reading teacher, but I don't comprehend any of the words said.

All I can do is think about what happened earlier.

~Flashback~

The sound of the front door shutting reaches my ears as I leisurely eat my breakfast with Catherine eating silently across from me. Darin had just left for work, and, soon, I'll have to start heading to school. I have time, though, so I don't rush. Every now and then, I'd giggle from the things whispered into my ear by Laurence. I'm distracted, however, when Catherine releases an irritated growl followed by the sound of an empty cereal bowl being slammed against the table. Surprised by the sudden noise, I jumped.

"That is it! I can't take this stupid s*** anymore!" She shouts while looking at me angrily. I react calmly.

"What's wrong, Catherine? Are you feeling okay?" I ask, feeling genuinely concerned. She rarely ever speaks to me anymore, and, now, she's yelling at me like I did something bad.

"Am I feeling okay?! Y/N, you're f***ing fourteen and laughing and talking at nothing! Your 'friend' isn't real. They don't exist, so stop acting like a lunatic!" Venom dripped from every word, but I wasn't fazed. I continue to speak calmly, thinking that she's just being temperamental like always. She hasn't been the same ever since she returned from who knows where. Darin never told me what the police said to him about what happened to her, thinking it'd upset me, and Catherine obviously never said anything to us about it. I wish I knew, though. Perhaps then I could help or find a way to make her feel better?

"He does exist. I told you that already. You just can't see him, that's all."

"That's because he isn't real! You need to grow up! Imaginary friends are for babies!" That snapped something in me. My eyes narrow slightly as I take a deep breath to settle myself. Arguing won't solve the problem, but I want her to understand. I hate when she says things like this. He is real. I know he is, and there's nothing she can say that can change my mind.

"I'm not a baby, and he is real." I clench my fists under the table, gripping my black pants tightly. "You're just jealous that I actually have a friend." Catherine scoffs.

"What friend? You have no friends because your too busy talking to the air all the time!" She retorts smugly. I've had enough.

"He is real!" I stand from my chair and slam my hands on the table while glaring sharply at her. "Laurence is real!" She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, not even bothered by the fact she's riling me up.

"Is that what you call it? What a lame ass name."

I can feel heat rise to my cheeks as more fuel was added to my fire. I feel the need to defend my friend. I want to hurt her for insulting him, but before I can act, heavy hands are set on my shoulders. Immediately, the anger begins to fade when I feel breath on the shell of my ear.