I'd always had trouble making friends. It's not like I didn't try. I really did. It's just I was too shy. I would try to talk to someone but quickly make the conversation awkward. For some reason though, it didn't happen to me with Garry. I guess that's why I'm here, stuck in a messed up art gallery, trying to get him to notice me.

"Is this really Garry? Something's wrong with him." Mary said to me, a look of concern on her face. I could tell she was pretending it though. She never cared much for Garry. "Maybe it's a fake? I mean the real Garry wouldn't be here... right?"

I didn't have the energy to respond. I didn't want to admit she could be right.

Mary seemed to notice my hesitation. "Don't you think so, Ib? Ib...?"

I was ignoring her comments by this point. Kneeling down, I looked into my friend's eyes.

"Garry...?" I whispered in a tone so desperate I surprised myself. While I knew I liked him, I never realised how much he meant to me.

"...Oh? What's wrong?" For a split second, I believed he'd noticed me. But then I saw he wasn't even looking at me. His eyes were looking at something, something I couldn't see. It was as if I wasn't there.

Garry let out a slight chuckle. "Why, what are you saying? That's not it at all!"

"Please..." My voice had become unstable with emotion, tears blurring my vision.

"Didn't I say earlier? Never give in!" He started laughing again.

"Garry...Please!" I cried out in despair, slamming my fist into the ground. Please just notice me.

"Ib... let's go. He's not listening to you." Mary said, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Let's find the exit, okay? Garry's an adult, so I know he'll come later."

"I-I..." I didn't know what to do. Garry would have wanted me to get out but how could I? How could I live knowing I left my friend here? He was like a brother to me. I loved him.

"Okay? Let's get to the stairs."

Shaking my head, I pushed myself up, took a step back and fell to the floor.

"Huh...? Ib?" Mary ran over to me. "H-Hey, Ib, what's wrong? Don't just sit there... I'm sure there's an exit close."

I had decided at this point what I was going to do.

"I'll do my best for you! We'll get out together!" She said in a cheerful tone. "Yeah! Ib?"

I was going to stay with Garry.

"Hey, get up!" Grabbing my arm, Mary pulled with all her might. "Hnngh!"

No matter how hard she pulled though, I stayed rooted to the ground. Mary then realised I had made my decision.

"...Ib..." She gave me a sorrowful glance. "You want me to go ahead. You're sure?"

I nodded, avoiding eye contact.

"You dummy." She said, her voice becoming unstable. "I tell you, we'll get out together..."

Mary turned around, fists clenched. "But I guess I'll just have to go alone!" With that, she dashed out the room.

I knew that was the last time I would ever see Mary. Although I liked Mary, I wouldn't call her a friend. She wouldn't come back for me. She'd get out and I'd be glad for her. I think. Returning my thoughts to Garry, I tried to talk to him.

"Hello, I'm Ib. What's your name?" I said in clear voice.

"I know a secret as well. But I shan't tell" He piped just like before. "Let's play a game. Guess the secret!"

"Where did you hear this secret?" I asked, trying to add to the conversation.

"Mary? No... not Mary's secret. That is an interesting one though." He let out a slight laugh. "She would be very angry if she knew we knew."

Mary has a secret? I thought to myself. Why would she be mad if someone knew?

"No, no. That's not it. You're close though." He said, smiling.

"Wait, what's Mary's secret?" I knew asking was pointless but I had to try.

"Yes! You got it. How did you know?"

"What is Mary's secret?!" I cried. I didn't know why but I really wanted to know it. It felt... important.

"You have been watching Ib?" My face lit up at the mention of my name. "Why have you been?! That's wrong."

He remembers me, I thought with a smile. He remembers.

"If you had been watching her, you'd know where she is." A look of surprise suddenly appeared on Garry's face. "She's right in front of me? But that doesn't make sense. I can't see her!"

"Please do..." I pleaded.

Garry stood up. "I don't know what you're talking about but I can't see her. Is she playing hide and seek? Tell her to stop!"

"Garry, I'm right here!" I cried out desperately.

"Ib?"

"Garry..." Tears streaming down my face, I pulled Garry into a hug. "I'm right here, Garry. I'll always be here."

"W-Wah!" Pushing me away, Garry stumbled back. "What just grabbed me?"

Garry... I didn't even want to talk anymore.

"It wasn't Ib! You're just telling lies." He headed towards the door. "I'll be going now. This place is creeping me out."

As he walked out the room, I could only look out in despair.

Garry...

"Garry..."