A Boy & His Imaginary Girl

The damp streets glistened under the soft light of the morning sun as Ethan and Luna stepped outside. The crisp air bit at Ethan's skin, making him tug his hoodie tighter around his frame. Luna, on the other hand, moved as though she belonged in this world, her feet barely making a sound on the wet pavement.

Ethan couldn't help but glance at her every few steps. She was so vivid, so alive, and yet no one else seemed to notice her. As they passed by a man walking his dog, Luna smiled and waved, but the man walked on without a glance in her direction.

"They can't see me," Luna said, answering Ethan's unspoken question.

"Why not?" Ethan asked, frowning.

Luna shrugged, her smile unbothered. "I'm here for you, not them."

Her words settled uneasily in Ethan's chest, but he didn't press further. Instead, he focused on putting one foot in front of the other, feeling the weight of every step outside his usual comfort zone.

They reached the small park at the end of his street, a place Ethan hadn't visited in months. It was quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. The swings swayed gently, their chains creaking softly.

Luna twirled as she walked, her hair catching the sunlight like strands of gold. "This is nice," she said, turning to face Ethan. "Do you come here often?"

"Not anymore," Ethan admitted. He shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at the empty benches and the patchy grass. "It's not really my thing."

Luna frowned thoughtfully, then gestured toward the swings. "Come on, let's sit."

Ethan hesitated, but the look in her eyes—bright, hopeful—urged him forward. He followed her to the swings, sitting awkwardly as the chain creaked under his weight. Luna took the swing next to his, her movements as fluid and graceful as ever.

For a while, they just sat there, the silence between them surprisingly comfortable. Ethan stared at the ground, kicking at the dirt with the toe of his sneaker, while Luna gently swayed back and forth, her gaze fixed on the sky.

"It's peaceful here," she said finally.

Ethan nodded, though he didn't reply.

Luna glanced at him, her expression softening. "You know, you've created such a beautiful world in your sketches. But this world has beauty too, if you let yourself see it."

Ethan snorted, shaking his head. "It doesn't feel beautiful. It feels… dull."

Luna leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she looked at him. "Maybe it's not the world that's dull, Ethan. Maybe it's the walls you've built around yourself."

Her words stung, and Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "I didn't build walls," he muttered defensively. "People just… don't get me."

"Maybe," Luna said gently. "But how can they get you if you don't let them try?"

Ethan didn't answer. He stared at the ground, his thoughts swirling. He wanted to argue, to tell her she didn't understand what it was like to be ignored, to feel invisible. But something in her voice—earnest and kind—made it hard to dismiss her.

Luna straightened suddenly, her smile returning. "Come on," she said, standing and pulling him to his feet. "Show me more."

"More?" Ethan asked, confused.

"Your world," Luna said, gesturing around them. "Take me somewhere else. I want to see what you see."

Ethan hesitated. His first instinct was to retreat, to go back to his room where everything was safe and familiar. But Luna's eyes sparkled with excitement, and her energy was infectious.

"There's the river," he said reluctantly. "It's not far."

"Perfect!" Luna said, grabbing his hand and tugging him along.

They walked in silence for a while, the sound of their footsteps blending with the gentle rustle of leaves. When they reached the river, Luna let out a delighted gasp.

The water glimmered in the sunlight, its surface rippling gently as it flowed over smooth stones. Trees lined the banks, their branches stretching overhead to create a canopy of dappled light.

"It's beautiful," Luna said, stepping closer to the edge. She crouched down, trailing her fingers through the water.

Ethan watched her, a strange feeling stirring in his chest. He had been to this river countless times, but he had never seen it quite like this. Luna's wonder made him see it through new eyes, as though it were something magical rather than mundane.

"Do you come here often?" Luna asked, glancing back at him.

"Used to," Ethan said, leaning against a tree. "I used to skip stones here."

Luna's eyes lit up. "Show me."

Ethan hesitated, then crouched by the water, searching for a flat stone. He found one and turned it over in his hand, feeling its smooth surface. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it skimming across the river. It bounced three times before sinking with a soft plop.

"Not bad," Luna said, clapping.

Ethan smiled despite himself.

"Let me try!" Luna said, picking up a stone.

Ethan laughed. "You can't. You're…" He trailed off, realizing he wasn't sure what she was. "Not real," he finished awkwardly.

Luna grinned, unbothered. "Maybe not, but I can still try."

She threw the stone, but instead of skipping, it sank immediately. She pouted, then burst into laughter. Ethan laughed too, the sound unfamiliar but welcome.

For the first time in as long as he could remember, Ethan felt a weight lift from his chest. With Luna by his side, the world didn't seem so cold or empty. It was still strange, still scary—but it was also full of moments like this.

Moments that felt like magic.

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To Be Continued..