Tears... Someone was crying on his shoulder. His arms were wrapped around this someone in a comforting manner. This someone was a girl. But just who was this girl? Why was she crying? And how had he gotten here? He opened his eyes to answer at least one of those questions.
"Goo?" He said at the sight of her. Her quiet sobbing simply continued.
"Goo?" He repeated. "Why are you crying?" He asked. The girl was so distraught she could barely speak.
"B..because...because you...because Mac...I..."
"You're crying because of me? Did I do something?" He asked.
"No, not you...MAC...the accident..." Goo said.
"You're crying about my accident? But I wasn't even hurt when that happened. I came out without a scratch on me." He said.
"No, I only imagined it that way..." Goo said, shaking her head. "I...I'm sorry." She said.
"Goo, what are you talking about? Sorry about what?" He asked.
"I was wishing I could wake up and find out it was all just a dream... That Mac had survived the crash... that he was right here with me... that nothing could ever hurt him again... And then...then you where here... And now I don't know what to do..." Goo said.
"You...you imagined me?" He asked. "B...but how? Why? How can that be?" He asked.
"I don't know... I didn't even mean to..." Goo said. "I didn't mean to hurt you..." She said.
"But I feel like myself. How can I be imaginary?" He asked. "I even have memories from before tonight." He said. "I remember you and everyone at Foster's. Even my last birthday." He said.
"And the one's before that?" Goo asked sadly.
"I...I...I don't...I don't..." He said, devastated at the realization.
"You don't remember anything I didn't know about." Goo said.
"Because I'm imaginary." He said. "I'm not the real Mac..." He said. "Why didn't I know... How can I live like this? I can't go to Foster's... Anyone who looks at me will see his face... I'll be a constant reminder of their friend. And I'll always know I'm just a cheep imitation..." He said.
"Then stay here..." Goo said. "I promise I'll keep you as long as I live..." She said.
"But... I'll never be able to take his place." He said.
"I'm not asking you to..." Goo said. "Just stay... I don't want you to disappear." She said.
"How can I stay here knowing what it'll do to you?" He asked. "Seeing me will just remind you of him. And I can't be him, no matter how similar I am." He said.
"Then don't be him... Be the friend who came to help me when I needed it most." Goo said.
"How can I ever be anything but a replacement? I don't even have a name of my own." He said.
"I'll give you one..." Goo said. "Just please, stay... I need you here." She said.
"I... No one at fosters can see me if I stay here. Knowing about me would only make things worst for them. Promise me you'll never tell them." He said.
"Promise..." Goo replied, still choked up.
"Then I'll stay." He said. "So long as you need me to be here."
(A.N) This was originally intended to be a considerably longer story. Goo's yet to be named imaginary friend was supposed to discover the truth about himself much more gradually. But I really couldn't see a good or logical way for him to leave the room without knowing. So I shaved it down to a one shot.
If anyone wishes to continue the story from this point, feel free to do so. I actually have a few ideas that may or may not help along the way, so contact me if you'd like to hear them.
Disclaimer- I don't own Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, I don't pretend to own Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends. And I'm not making any money off this story.