a little change of perspective. it's in second person, which is a little odd to do but basically it's kind of like how the majority of reader! fics are. but in a true second person, it's done as a first person but talking about one other person specifically using the pronoun 'you'. in this case, you is cindy.

I've been trapped in this house for almost three years with no one to talk to, no one to listen to me. I can't leave. If it were a normal thing, I wouldn't care, but this… this is hell… The first one to really talk to me like a person was you, Cynthia. Even though you were frightened of me, you haven't backed down and you've spoken to me as if I were really here… as if I'm alive. All the other people have treated me like I am a vengeful spirit trying to wreak havoc on the family when all I was trying to do was get someone's attention… get someone to help me get out of this hell…

Then you came along… You, with your amazing intellect that almost matches mine, your snarky attitude and abrupt ways of dealing with me. You treat me like I'm a nuisance but more like how siblings would feel towards each other. It's a banter that I've missed… it's talking that I've missed. You set me free…

I know I may have seemed a little sensitive in our last conversation but I don't want anyone else to deter you from me. I'm selfish now, you see; more so than I think I ever have been. I want you to myself and if you talk to more people, they will try to dissuade your belief in me… You'll push me to the side like everyone else has and treat me like all the others… Being friend-zoned is bad enough but being ghost-zoned? It's been that way for far too long and I'm starting to fear what hope there is for me. I know I overreacted, but ironically it was because out of all the suffering and loneliness I've had to endure, the only logical sense of me not being dead was that I got fat? It's… insulting and belittling but it's not to my weight, but to my hardship. I've waited for someone to find me for so long but being fat is the key?

I know it sounds petty as hell, but- well, I guess trying to think about it from my perspective would be hard if you have no idea what kind of perspective it is. I don't want to just come right out and tell you what happened. The closer you get to me on an emotional level then I believe it will make you that much more determined to help me out of kindness than of obligation. I like you, Cynthia… I really do and I want you to find me so that I can tell you how much I appreciate you.

The door opens to your room and I see you come in, sweaty and in your karate uniform. I smile because you were telling the truth; you really are a black belt. I see you write something on a piece of paper and sit your phone on the desk on top of the paper. I walk over as you grab your towels and head to the bathroom to take a shower. I'm sneaky but I'm not perverted, so I don't follow you into the shower to make a scene. I go and look at what you've written and am surprised that it's for me.

James,

I'm sorry for whatever I said to hurt your feelings. I didn't mean to do that. I don't know why you don't want your friends to know about you, but it's not what you think… I'm not really sure &what& you think, but I have a feeling it's in regards to how I view your existence and the effects of other people on me regarding that. I have proof that your friends are willing to help if you just let them.

Sincerely,

Cindy

PS: unlock my phone and look at the first three videos

I look at the phone and unlock it, seeing the camera is up. I press the button that goes to the archives and see the three videos she's talking about. I press the first one.

"Hey, Jimmy, it's me, Libby. I know we weren't exactly the best of friends when you were here but my girl Cindy showed me that video of you eating her food and I can't say she's lying. She didn't know you before, so how could she have made that up? It's really you and whatever is going on, I want to help you get back to normal. It's kind of lonely without your antics around here. I'm all in with Cindy's belief in you, so let us help you out! Hope this helps."

I move on to the next one.

"What do I say?"

"Just talk to him like you're sending a letter or something."

"Okay then… um, hi, Jimmy, it's me, Carl Weezer. Um, I haven't changed very much but um… there was a pretty bad rumor going around that you had committed suicide and I was really confused by that. You didn't seem the type, but a lot of people said that sometimes the happiest people have the most trouble inside-"

"Carl, what the hell? This is supposed to be encouraging!"

"Libby, let him talk. I think it's fine… Go ahead, Carl."

"Um, anyway, but that kind of made sense so I was really sad that you were so unhappy that you'd do that… but then Cindy said you were in her house and Libby said that the video was real and I got really excited! If you're not dead, Jimmy, then we want to help you get back to normal. Me and Sheen miss you and science just isn't as fun without you… plus we miss your inventions and singing songs and acting… You had it all under control so come back and fix it!"

I don't realize I'm crying until a tear falls on the phone screen. I didn't realize just *how* lonely I've been… I move to the last video.

"Yo, Jimmy! You took my pen and you still need to give it back to me. It was a really good pen that my uncle gave me and it writes really well. So, come give it to me in person, okay? I don't care if you're a ghost or alive or whatever is going on but it's been so BORING without you around. I mean, you kind of dissed us for Betty and all that but still! Nothing's the same anymore! We want to help you!... and I want my pen back. Adios!"

I laugh and cry at the same time. My friends… they…

"As you can see," I turn, seeing you in the doorway. You obviously can't see me but I guess you heard the videos playing. "Your friends want me to help you."

"So it would seem." I say, so happy to be able to speak normally to you. "Did you put them up to this?"

"I posed the idea but they were all willing to do it. You can think whatever you want about them but I believe they're willing to help me help you. Even if they weren't, I'd still try."

I look at you as you close the door to your room fully. I put the phone down, making myself unable to be pinpointed with floating objects, and sit on the bed.

"Why?"

"Why what?" you ask, looking around for me.

I walk over to you, so close and yet so far…

"Why would you try so hard?"

As if you can really see me, you turn and stare right at me. I want to touch you, but I know it will only scare you.

"To be honest, at first I just wanted you out of my house… but now I want to save you."

"Save me, eh?"

You turn your head a little. "Hide and seek, right?"

"What about it?"

"I was thinking about it recently and your conditions to it were a little strange. Your proposition said that the game consisted of who gave up first, me finding you or you making me find you, and I realized that you're giving up… it's starting to take its toll on you so much that this game is it. If I can't free you from this prison then…"

I smile and give a little chuckle to let you know I've heard you.

"You're such a clever girl, Cynthia Vortex… If that is your belief then please find me soon. I'm waiting for you."

I walk to the door and leave, leaning on the door from the outside. You really are too clever for your own good because you're completely right. My literal existence rides on this game of hide and seek because if you can't find me, I'm done for.

and what exactly does that mean for our poor jimbo? Sorry for the angsty feel but i felt we should have a small bit of understanding from jimmy and also some hinty clues. plus, sorry if he sounds a little like a hopeless romantic but second person kind of tends to add more of a tenderness to the first person POV which is why i picked it towards cindy. anyhow, enjoy