An Ideal Friend

With laughter bubbling through her veins, Selena skipped from rock to rock and quickly crossed the rive. Her feet landed in a field of wild poppies and she watched in awe as the flowers swayed as one while the wind choreographed the dance. Twirling about, she danced her heart content.

Out of breath, she let herself fall to the ground and stretched her arms high above her. Looking to her right, she imagined a best friend lying next to her, and starting having a conversation with herself and replying as her friend. They talked about a variety of different things, including passions and dreams in life. She tried her best to be happy, but the pretend friend floated away with the morning breeze. Her heart felt very heavy and she couldn’t quite keep this act up anymore.

“Oh will I ever have such a friend with whom I can share secrets with and do best friend stuff with together?” Selena’s eyes sparkled bright at such possibility but she sighed because she didn’t think it ever possible again - at least, not a forever friend. Positioning herself in a comfortable position, the sun rays caressed her face, making her fall fast asleep.

Her sleepy eyes opened wide and looked next to her. She saw a strange, but felt an instant connection with him. She watched his eyes flutter open in the blinding sunlight and a smile spreading across his face, lighting up his whole countenance.

“Selena, wanna go on an adventure?” His eyebrows raised and he seemed to already know her answer. She nodded eagerly, fulfilling his easy expectations.

They spent the day rock climbing, swimming, river raftin, and simply enjoying each other’s company while it lasted. For such a perfect time couldn’t last for very long, Selena was sure of that much.

From her peripheral vision, she noticed something was quickly fading from sight. Her head whipped about and she noticed this mysterious friend of hers had thoroughly disappeared from view. Shocking news, yet I knew it would never last long anyway. Oh well, at least I enjoyed the time with him while I could. She began walking back to the rive, gutted.

“Hey! Her friend called to her, suddenly appearing far in the distance, but his presence felt near. His whole figure was invisible, then visible, then invisible, as if he were caught in the middle of two worlds and his body couldn’t quite figure out where he wanted to be.

“Whoa!” Selena jumped back, startled. “I thought you were gone for good! I never thought I’d see you again.” Every part of her wanted to smile and run to him in delight, but she didn’t know if he was going to stay or go at any second.

“Oh, you’ll be seeing much more of me in the future!” He chuckled gaily. He continued talking as if he had every word planned ahead of time. I can become your best friend for life if you want!”

“My, you have no idea how much that would mean to me. I would love that with all of my heart.” Her smile wavered and faltered once it remembered all the times it had smiled in the hopes of a forever friend, only to have its hopes crushed in a million pieces.

All at once, everything quickly turned into a blur and vanished! She woke up with a start and immediately glanced around in a hurry. The wildflowers, the rive, the gentle breeze.. they all fell into her gaz, but where was her best friend? Her head fell to her chest, the familiarity of overwhelming sadness enveloped her. Another piece of her heart broke off and flew away with the wind.

Hearing something indistinguishable, Selena held steady for a moment, trying to understand the sound. Without warning, her feet turned her around and glued themselves to the ground, allowing her time to depict the unnatural noise. Peering into the wind, she saw this figure blinking in and out of sight. Gradually he became clearer and clearer until he was in full focus. Not saying a word, her beloved comrade strolled over and sat down on the grass beside her. He pulled something out of his pocket and gently took her hand. They locked eyes, and he cautiously placed it in the middle of her palm. Ever so slightly, he nodded. Terrified yet boldly curious, she opened her hand and revealed the piece of her chipped heart that had earlier been broken off. Her eyes watered and truly believed that she found the special someone that she had wanted for so long. She closer her hand and held it close to her heart. He leaned in for a hug and they embraced each other tight, sealing their friendship and love. When they pulled away, her hands were empty but she felt more complete than she had ever felt before in her life. She was whole.

“Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and for being my best friend.” She couldn’t wipe the smile off her shining face.

“Hey...” he paused and took her hands in his. “I have to go now, but trust me, I shall return back to you. I thank you as well for our beautiful friendship we share. Until then, always hold fast to hope, love, and never lose heart!” He was slowly turning transparent.

“Noooo don’t go! I need you here.” She cried out in desperation as she watched him flicker back and forth between reality and the world he was going to until he grew fully invisible. Right before his body had turned translucent, he smiled at her. Oddly enough, she felt a wave of sudden contentment wash over her and she believed every word he had spoken to her with all her heart.

Selena spent months living her life, waiting for that special one’s come back as he had promised. She knew there would come a day they would be together again, although she had no idea when that time would arrive. She lived with an abundance of hop, love, and never ever lost heart!