On that first day of school
when you didn't know anyone at all
I was there so you wouldn't feel afraid.

Over the summer, when everyone else had gone off to camp
I was there to run through the fields with you.
We were wizards fighting dragons, or pirates sailing the seas.
We played all day until your mom and dad came and got you.

Or that time when you tried getting an extra cookie
I was there to be the lookout.
I wasn't very good at it.
Sorry about that.

We laughed and played.
We sang and we danced.
And we were there to have fun
for as long as we could.

But then one day, things changed.
The fun stopped, and the work started.
You were always too busy with school.
And when you weren't, you went out with friends.
I don't think you noticed me anymore.
But still, I was there.

When that one friend yelled at you,
I was there when they slammed the door.
Or that other friend that just never showed up.
I was there when you locked yourself in your room.
I don't think you knew I could hear you crying.

As the days went by, I watched you change.
No matter what happened, no matter what you did,
I was there, just in case you needed a friend.

Then one day, you looked up at me and said
"Hello"
And I smiled and said
"Hello"

And we talked like we used to.
We drifted away
back to those shining days.
And for a moment,
we were there together.

It didn't last long.
Soon, you had to go away.
I was there when your parents left you
at that strange place you called "college".

I was there then.
I'm here now.
And I'll be there tomorrow.
Because that's what friends are for.

With love,
Your Imaginary Friend