A Figment Of Your Imagination

 

She plopped herself down on the bench beneath a dainty cherry blossom tree in the school ground tired from all the classes and the jostling crowds. She scanned her surroundings, filled with chattering kids who just seemed like they belonged there.

She joined this school two weeks back and still struggled to socialize with her fellow schoolmates. She let out an exasperated sigh and took a big bite of her apple, and continued to gaze absent - mindedly at the crowd. 

     “Hey there.”

She turned to see a boy with messy black hair impassively taking a bite of his PB&J sandwich. He leaned back on the bench and looked warmly at her. 

     “The name’s Ezra. What’s yours?” he took another bite of his sandwich.

     “Angela...” she replied shyly.

     “Nice to meet you!”

She continued to stare at the other students, none of them left to sit around lonely.

     “You’re lonely and don’t have any friends now, do you?” he asked.

She looked up at him, her face showing a touch of anticipation. Ezra got up playfully and lent her his hand.

     “Well, you won’t be lonely anymore!” he gleamed at her, “I’m your friend and I’ll help you make more!’

Angela’s eyes shone and she got up energetically.


They met again during lunch break the very same day.

     “Don’t be nervous, just go and start a conversation with them. It’s not that hard!” he nudged her as they stood behind a tree, watching a group of carefree girls giggling among themselves.

     “It’s easier said than done.” grumbled Angela.

     “Show some style, some effortless confidence. You’ve got in you!”

     “Oh yeah, totally. Like you haven’t seen me muster up the courage to talk to people and miserably fail."

     “What? Scared they’ll bite your leg off or something?”

     “Of course not!”

     “Then what’s stopping you?”

Before Angela could even say a word, Ezra pushed her towards the group. Angela smiled nervously, sweating, her face a mix of awkwardness and horror.

     “What did you do that for!? I wasn’t ready yet!!” she muttered.

      “Just introduce yourself and ask for their names.” he gritted through his teeth.

     “H-hello... I’m Angela. What are your names?” she stuttered out.

She shut her eyes tightly and gulped.

     “You’re the new kid, aren’t you?” one of the girls, who was sitting on the ledge jumped down and lent her a hand, giving her a warm smile “My name is Elisha! Those two there are Bianca and Sarah!” she pointed at the two girls respectively, both of them giving her a welcoming smile.

     “Hello!” Angela waved, “Oh, and this is Ezra.” She pointed at the messy haired boy standing next to her.

      “Oh... H-hey..?” Elisha waved at his awkwardly.

      “Would you and... Ezra... like to have lunch with us..?” Elisha asked.

      “Of course!” Angela’s face brightened as she grabbed and held Ezra’s hand tightly.

      “You’re adorable, come along!” Elisha giggled and led her on.

As Angela walked with her new acquaintances, she gave Ezra a fist bump, with a proud expression etched on her face.


Ever since then, Angela grew more closer with Elisha, Bianca and Sarah. She even managed to get along with the other students, shedding her shyness. She and Ezra would talk for hours after school over ice cream.

Every time she looked up “How to talk to people without foaming at the mouth and dying of

embarrassment?” on her phone, Ezra would playfully snatch it from her hands,

     “Just be yourself and experiment. Embarrass yourself a couple of times! That’s the fun in making friends!” he would say proudly as if he had just said something philosophical.


Spring came around, and she became to be known as bubbly and cheerful by everyone around her.

On a March afternoon, during lunch break, Angela went to the bench under the cherry blossom tree, her and Ezra’s classic meet up spot. The flowers had blossomed into elegant blooms making the area look even more mystical. Ezra was waiting for her there and got up briskly at the sight of her.

      “So... what’s the super very important matter of affair that you wanted to talk about, mister?” she asked airily.

      “Ah yes, but first,” he handed her a bunch of pretty-looking orchids, carefully tied with a blue ribbon to form a sweet bouquet, “For you. I know orchids are your favourite.” He brushed his hair from  his face.

      “Thank you!” she blushed a little at the thoughtful gift, holding them close to her heart.

      “Look at you! You’ve grown so much!” he said admiringly.

      “All thanks to you, Ezzy!”

      “Looks like I successfully completed my mission! It’s time for me to take my leave.”

      “What do you mean?” her smile faltered.

      “I won’t be gone entirely! I’ll always be right in there!” he pointed to her heart.

      “You won’t forget me now, will you?” he asked her playfully.

      “NEVER!” she yelled, tears welling up in her eyes, “I will never forget you, Ezzy!”

Ezra laughed heartily, though his eyes showed a bit of reluctance to leave her and sadness at the departure. He started to walk away.

      “Wait!” Angela ran and caught his wrist, “W-where are you going? W-who are you? Why won’t anyone ever notice you?”

He giggled as he turned to look back at her.


Angela. I’m just a figment of your imagination!


Ezra slowly faded away; his bright smile was the last to go.

Tears started rolling down Angela’s cheeks as she tried to look at the orchids gifted by the boy whom she adored the most. 


The orchids weren’t in her hands.


- Starlette



© 2025 Starlette. All Rights Reserved. 

Rights to Author. No content in any form shall be reused.

Comments

  1. who knew people with make belief could get hurt like this? but still it's amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gah top writing such devastating stuff aaaaaa (jk gimme moreeeeeeeee)

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  3. also foreshadowing with that title hmmmmmm

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  4. Ezra??? Hmmmm.... that name sure does sound QUITE familliar....

    ReplyDelete
  5. tbh ur the only person who could name someone after a (fictional) mass murderer

    ReplyDelete

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