The Language of the Soul

Part 1

A small boy sat in his booster, in the back of the car. His mother in front of him looking back at him, listening intently to every word. His Dad behind the wheel navigating the slick road home.

 Normally, the storm outside would have the little one in tears, but tonight he is too excited. His dance recital had gone extremely well and he was even bringing home an award. He excitedly held up the trophy and yelled happily, "Daddy! Daddy! Look!" As Dad took his eyes off the road to look back at the boy, the car hit some water. Dad lost control and they were hydroplaning. The boy watched terrified as Dad tried desperately to gain control, and failed. The car careened over the double yellow line.

The boy heard loud screaming and breaking glass. The last thing he remembered was his Imaginary Friend holding him tight and promising him that he would always be there.

Jimin woke up with a silent scream on his lips and silent tears cascading down his face. His imaginary friend was there to comfort him and chase the nightmares away. He glanced at his roommate across the room, the other boy was usually a light sleeper. But tonight, he was sound asleep, exhausted by the the stress of his heavy class load and voice lessons. Jimin sighed in relief, he really didn't want to see the pity and probably slight frustration in his eyes when he couldn't explain what happened...again.

The other boy, Tae, was always so kind and patience with Jimin while he wrote down anything he wanted to tell him. If Jimin had a best friend, it would be him.

Tae was a talker. Jimin was a listener, they balanced each other...easily. The newest topic had been all about how Tae's imaginary friend had faded when he met his soulmate, a younger boy named Jungkook. When Tae was excited about something or someone, Jimin noticed his roommate had no Patience for full names, thus the boy was named "Kookie" by an ecstatic Tae. They had apparently met when he had gone to sign up for voice lessons. Tae had told Jimin how he had bumped into the younger boy rounding the corner and that he noticed his imaginary friend slowly fade over the course of their conversation.

Jimin had heard that sometimes it happens quickly, like Tae and Kookie, or slowly. But either way, he knows that your imaginary friend eventually fades away. And that thought alone is enough to almost throw him into one of his anxiety attacks.

His imaginary friend had been by his side for as long as he could remember, calming him down, holding his hand, and effectively chasing away the nightmares and the monsters they bring. He couldn't imagine not seeing him anymore. Jimin looked again at his imaginary friend and noticed a slight blurry shadow go across his eyes. Thinking he just needed some fresh air, he headed outside holding his imaginary friend's hand tight.

Once outside, he realized he had forgotten to grab his keys or wallet. Just as he was about ready to panic, there was the boy from down the hall. People around the dorm called him weird because they never saw him out during the day unless he was completely covered from head to toe and always in black. Jimin was always curious, but he had made himself a promise long ago. that he would never again become a distraction, like that night...

As the boy passed him, he glanced at him and smiled. Jimin didn't see the beautiful smile behind the face mask or dark glasses he wore under the black bucket hat though. He did, however, think he recognize something about him, but quickly shook the thought away. He had never been around the boy, didn't even know his name.  He had only seen him one other time from across campus, dressed like he is now and Jimin had wondered if he was warm under all those layers.

The other boy let him in and Jimin gave him a small smile of thanks as he ducked his head and walked back to his room. As he fell asleep he vaguely noticed his imaginary friend sitting beside him. He didn't realized, in his exhausted state, that his eyes and his hair had began to fade somewhat.