I walked home and the weather was cold and windy. I usually walked with my girl friends, Jenny and Samantha, but since I had been held back from that peculiar encounter I found myself walking home alone. The clouds flickered and growled and twitched above my head. My thoughts were spinning around in my brain restlessly. How did this happen? Had it been a day dream? It seemed to happen so rapidly... such a brief encounter with a friend from the past. I knew that as soon as I got home I was going to research this on Google.

I reached my little apartment complex and went inside. I walked up the stairs to my room number 15 and tried the door. It opened which meant that my foster parent was home.

"Hello there Carrisa!" called my foster mother from the kitchen. "How was school?"

"Good Gretta. How was your day?" I asked as I took off my shoes at the door.

"Oh it was lovely. I met with this client who could not stop talking about their ex husband. You know, some people just need to learn to let go and move on with their life or they carry this heavy luggage with them forever and it has life long effects..." My foster mother was a psychiatrist. She loved to tell me all about what happened at her office that day. I would usually respond about how sad that was and then return with my own silly gossip stories but not today. "Sweet heart? Are you alright?"

"Yes mom... I'm just really tired. I had a long day. I'm just gonna go lie down in my room for a little bit, okay?" I said as I shuffled toward the hall.

"Alright sweetie. Let me know if you need anything."

I went into my stylish white room. I loved this room and had spent an entire summer designing it from the color of the mattress ruffle right down to the shape of the door knob. It was entirely my own and had my colorful cutesy personality engraved in it. I shut the door and flopped on my mattress. I still had a headache... Dark thoughts began to creep into my head. This was ridiculous! Thomas was an imaginary person! I certainly wish he was there right then so I could talk to him...

"What is it?" that deep voice came in my ear. I started with a cry and fell off my bed. "Are you alright?"

Thomas the shadow rushed to my side and lifted me off the ground. I starred at him.

"I don't understand how you are here... Imaginary friends are meant to be imaginary." I said in a dumbfounded way.

Thomas pulled back his hood and then I saw the smile on his face.

"I can never stay mad at you Carrisa, I care for you too much."

Guilt was overwhelming me and I burst out, "Thomas I'm so sorry I said you weren't me friend. What I was trying to say was~"

He held up his pale hand for me to stop and he said "I know precisely what you were trying to say. I also happen to know how happy you are to have me here with you again, even if you refuse to admit it out loud." He said all this with a smile and I blushed because he was right.

"How can you be real? Am I the only one who can see you?" I asked.

"No. I am real." he put his hand on my head and a burst of happiness flooded through me and I closed my eyes for a moment. "I'm as real as the blood humming in your veins."

"But... how? I made you up... you aren't real."

He sat down on the bed beside me. "You wrote a poem about me once. I know it was about me because you titled it 'Thomas'. You're poem said that you loved me and I was real to you."

"Yeah... I remember that." not that I write poetry for fun anymore.

Thomas

I am the light to your darkness

You are the light to my darkness

The universe is our playground

You are my playmate

My only friend and soul mate

Sometimes I wish you were real

Sometimes I wish you could wrap dark arms around me and whisper with warm breath in my ear

"Everything is wonderful"

Comforting words in the horrible night

Sweet embrace when I am so cold

Thomas of darkness and light

Thomas the shadow

Thomas the shade

Thomas my friend

Thomas my love

He recited the entire thing and I was impressed. Not even I knew the entire thing anymore.

"I even kept the paper you wrote it on." he said and from his cloak he pulled out the pink paper and my 12 year old scrawl filled the page with purple crayon words.

"Oh wow..."

"This was my ticket to life... You brought me to life by writing myself into being. I am real now," he said as he put the poem away in his cloak again. "And I am here for you now when you need me most."

"But I don't need you. I'm not some stupid damsel in distress." I said annoyed.

Thomas frowned and he took hold of my hand and that instantly silenced any indignant thought I might have had.

"Please." his voice sounded strained. "Don't speak to me that way... You don't have to hide your fear from me, Carrisa. I already know them. You can be real with me."

His thumb stroked over my knuckles and my throat tightened.

"I am real... I'm not an imaginary friend." I muttered.

"Neither am I. At least, not anymore."

"Why are you here?" I snapped, looking up at him. I suddenly hated him for not being able to see his eyes.

"I came here from Below so we can be together. I am breaking so many rules to be here with you but you're worth it. I know I will get divine punishment for this... but that doesn't matter. I love you."

I felt my throat constrict further and tears filled my eyes. It had been so long since anyone had said that and I believed them.

"Thomas..." I breathed shakily.

He enveloped me in his wings. His strong arms wrapped around my shoulders and his fingers were gentle. Warmth shrouded my body and I closed my eyes. Relaxation swept over my entire being and I had never felt so at ease before.

"Do not speak. No words are needed. I am your and you are mine. That is all."

And for a moment, that truly was all there were. But these moments never last for long. Breaking the rules always come with consequences.