AVENGERS: My Imaginary Friend

1. NATALIA ROMANOVA POV

1991:
Pain is all I can feel, I've been training and it's just too much for my body to handle, I curl up into a ball in a dark corner of the room and whisper "Natalie?" My imaginary friend appears before me, she's the same age as me, pale skin, long light brown hair. She smiles down at me and makes her way over, she sits beside me leaning against the wall "What's wrong Natalie?" She speaks in an American accent, it's gentle and calming, I look into her eyes. Her eyes always amaze me, one green and the other blue, she smiles "Tell me about it." We sit there for a while as I quietly explain what I had been through today, she doesn't look bored or tired, unlike everyone else she actually listens.

1993:
I was dancing with the other girls when I feel a sudden headache, I feel sad and I don't know why. I try to concentrate on how I'm feeling, all of a sudden Natalie appears in the room, I remain calm and continue dancing. I glance to the centre of the room where she's laying on the floor, her clothes are bloodied, tears are rolling down her cheeks.

What's going on!? Is something wrong with me!?

I've never seen my imaginary friend upset, I didn't realise it was possible for her to be sad or in pain. She was always the one helping me out of my misery, but it looks like this time my imaginary friend needs my help. I let out a fake sneeze which gains my instructor's attention and makes Natalie look up, I nod to my instructor to say I'm okay and I continue to dance. I glance to Natalie who's watching me "I'm sorry, you shouldn't be seeing me like this."

I can't answer her, I'll get told off. I'm sorry Natalie.

She lays there calming herself down as I finish dancing, as soon as we get to leave I find a place alone and think of her, she appears, still laying there, I whisper "I'm sorry, I couldn't help." She shakes her head "Don't worry, I could tell you were busy, I never expected you to fully be mine."

What does she mean? That's not important right now.

"What happened to you? Tell me." "It's fine, I'll get through it." "You help me all the time, the least I can do is help you." She sighs and lets a tear fall "My Mom just died and my dad beat me for it, saying it was my fault."

Imaginary people have families? That's rather nice, but not good in this case.

I end up comforting her for a while before I'm called away.