Tyler Mc Intosh

The School for Imaginary Friends #1 The Fantasy Fair Have you ever had a best friend. Someone who was there for you when you needed them? And yes, your first thought is probably a real person…But hey, what about your imaginary friends: You know, those people you made up when you were lonely. But reality is, imaginary friends are more real than you could ever imagine. I know…Because I’m one of them. Let me set the stage: Imagine a world where bikes ride upside-down: Where buildings can float in mid-air: Where anything can happen. That’s the imaginary world for you. That’s where imaginary people, like me, live. But our world is “very” different from yours. For one, none of us have parents. Now I know, that sounds impossible. But remember, the imaginary world is a little wonky. Instead, imaginary friends come from Chusheng gardens, and they grow out of the cherry blossoms. Not normal size ones, but giant cherry blossoms, otherwise we’d all be pretty small. Anyway, imaginary people are dedicated to helping real people as their friends. But how do they learn how to do that? Simple: The School for Imaginary Friends. Here, imaginary children learn for four years how to be an Imaginary Friend. Then, once they graduate, they get to go to the real world and become someone’s imaginary friend. But I’m just about to start classes at the school, so I have a long way to go. ---- But anyway, enough exposition. Today was my first day at the School, and we were all about to start our first year at the school. “I can’t believe we have to start school the day after we bloomed in Chusheng Gardens,” Ae-Cha whined walking down the hallway. “It’s not so bad. In the real world, it takes at least ten years for a kid to become our size. At least here we’re born like this,” Dhara said. “Hey there,” someone said. The two of them turned to see a boy their age. This is the part where I come into the story. “Hi, I’m Ji,” Ji said. Ae-Cha looked at him suspiciously. “Where did you come from?” Ae-Cha asked. “Well Chusheng Gardens of course,” Ji said. “But I didn’t see you there. And I thought I saw ‘everyone’ who bloomed at Chusheng Gardens yesterday,” Ae-Cha said. “Ae-Cha! Don’t be rude. Maybe you were wrong,” Dhara reasoned. “All students, please report to the Auditorium,” someone said on the loudspeaker. “It was nice meeting you Ji,” Dhara said running to the auditorium. “Wait for me,” Ji said following close behind. ---- In the school Auditorium, the Principal addressed the students from the platform. “Welcome children to the School for Imaginary Friends. I’m your Principal, Mr. Huang. Here you will learn how to become Imaginary Friends for four years. All of you will have to take the three required courses: Child Psychology, which will teach you how children think. Imaginary History, which is the history of Imaginary Friends. And Friendship Studies, which will show you how to be a good friend. But of course, we know you are all different and have different skills and interests, so there are elective courses you can choose to enhance your skills… But whatever you do, don’t go in the portal room. None of you are ready to go to the real world. Last but not least, since none of you have parents, you will all be living here in dorms for the next four years. Your roommates will be posted on the bulletin. And have a great year,” Mr. Huang said. After the assembly, everyone started signing up for electives. Then, everyone had to go to their required classes. ---- Soon, Ji and the other kids found themselves in a classroom waiting for the teacher. Ji turned around to face Ae-Cha and Dhara. “So, guys, what kinds of imaginary friends are you?” he asked. “I’m a Princess. That’s why I wear this lovely sari,” Dhara said. “And I’m a Pirate,” Ae-Cha said. “But Pirates can’t be girls,” Ji said. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Yes, they can: You’re lookin’ at one,” Ae-Cha snapped. “But what’s your angle?” Ji asked. “Our angle?” Dhara asked in confusion. “Yea, something totally unreal about yourselves,” Ji explained. “Then I guess my angle is my satchel,” Ae-Cha said. She opened it up, reached deep inside it, and pulled out a turkey on a platter. “My satchel might go on forever,” Ae-Cha said. “My angle is my sari. It’s stuck on me,” Dhara said. “That sounds awful,” Ji said. “No, I mean it’s a part of my body. I can’t take it off. But it has its perks. Now I can control it like any other part of my body,” Dhara explained. Suddenly, her ribbons on her dress grabbed her textbooks and stacked them neatly on the table. “I can understand why Octopuses are so happy,” Dhara said. “Then what’s your angle?” Ae-Cha asked. “Me? I’m an Artist,” Ji said. He pulled out his paintbrush. “Really, can you draw something for us?” Dhara asked. “Right now?” Ji asked. “Yea,” Ae-Cha said. “Okay.” Ji thought about what he should draw, and then it hit him. He started to draw an oval, then a rectangle. “I wonder what it’s going to be?” Dhara asked. After adding some lines, it became apparent what it was. “I give you: A hair-brush,” Ji said. “That’s random,” Ae-Cha said. “I can never have enough hair-brushes,” Dhara said happily taking it. Just then, the teacher came in. “Settle down class,” she said. All the kids went silent. “I’m Mrs. Xi. I’ll be your Friendship Studies Teacher this semester. Since this is your first day, why don’t you introduce yourselves.” Ji, Ae-Cha, and Dhara went first. Then the other kids had their turns. “I’m Duanphen. I’m a Super-Hero. I can fly and I’m super strong,” she said. Then she flew over to Mrs. Xi and picked her up. “That’s very nice Duanphen…But can you put me down.” “Oh…Sorry.” She quickly flew back to her seat. Next, a girl with crazy hair went next. “I’m Kawaii. And I’m a Mad Scientist.” Then she pulled out a test tube and threw it at the kid next to her. “POOF” The kid suddenly turned into a chicken. “BOCK, BOCK” “That was uncalled for!” Mrs. Xi scolded. “She can’t help it: She has “mad” in her name,” Ji said. “Hee-hee-hee-hee…I love chaos,” Kawaii cackled. “I’m Chaghatai, and I’m a Detective.” Then he pulled out a magnifying glass. “But a Detective is never complete without a magnifying glass: Her name is Magna.” “Hello there,” Magna said. “Ooooooooo,” everyone said in awe. “Magna also helps me find clues: Can I have a volunteer?” Dhara quickly shot up her hand. “Dhara, I’ll close my eyes, you hide, and tell me when you’re ready.” “Okay.” When Chaghatai closed his eyes, Dhara hid in a coat closet. “I’m ready,” she said. “Magna, what were Dhara’s last footsteps?” he asked. Magna highlighted her footsteps in her viewfinder, which led Chaghatai to the coat closet. “CREAK” “Found you.” “Pfft,” Dhara lamented. Everyone clapped as he went back to his seat. “My name is Izz. And I’m a Motorcycle Racer.” Just then, a small motorcycle jumped through the window. “And this is my Motorcycle: Speedy.” “Hi y’all,” Speedy said. Then Speedy zoomed around the room in circles. “Izz, I don’t want tire marks in my classroom,” the teacher warned. “You can go now Speedy,” Izz said. “Catch ya later,” the motorcycle said zooming out the door. “I’m Dinh. And I’m a Musicist.” Then he pulled out his Erhu instrument and started playing. Suddenly, fast notes started zooming across the room. “As you can see, Musicist’s are renown for creating music notes, as you can see.” Then he stopped playing and sat down. “I’m Makisig. And I’m a Toon.” “What’s a “toon”?” Dinh asked. “You know, a cartoon. That’s why I have such exaggerated features.” Then Makisig stretched across the room. “And I can squat and stretch just like any cartoon character.” Then he stretched back to his seat. “Hyuck, hyuck, hyuck!” he laughed. “And last but not least, we have this young lady,” Mrs. Xi said. The girl stood up. “I’m Nozomi. And I’m a T.V. Reporter.” Then she sat down. “Is that “all” you have to say?” the teacher asked. Nozomi stood up again. “Oh yes…I have a cameraman…I mean, Camera-boy. His name is Taro.” Just then, Taro stood up. “Are you “sure” that’s all?” Mrs. Xi asked. “No more questions,” Nozomi said taking a seat. The Teacher just gave her a look. “Okay then…Let’s get started…” ----- “Everyone is talking about you,” Ae-Cha said. “They are,” Ji said. They had all just finished their classes for the day. “Yea. Everyone’s wondering why they didn’t see you at Chusheng Gardens,” Dhara said. “But someone’s had to have seen me. Right?” Ji said. “I didn’t see you,” Dinh said. “Diddo,” Makisig said happily. “So, is everyone suspicious of me?” Ji asked. Dhara and Ae-Cha nodded their heads. “Hey look! The Fantasy Fair is this week,” Dhara said pointing to the bulletin board. “Maybe if you entered people would be friendlier toward you,” Ae-Cha said. “That’s a great idea,” Ji beamed. He went over to the board and signed up. “But it’s only in five days, so you better start working on your project,” Ae-Cha said. “Okay. Bye guys,” Ji said as they left. Just then, he noticed Nozomi hiding in a doorway, and then she bolted away. I had a choice. I could A, be responsible and work on my Fantasy Fair project, or B, spy on Nozomi to find out what she’s hiding…I went with the latter. ---- Nozomi was wandering outside with her Camera-Boy Taro. But unbeknownst to her, Ji was spying on her from a floating bench. “Nozomi, why didn’t you tell them?” Taro asked her. “It’s called business confidentiality. Or something like that…Anyway, I’m not revealing my edge just yet,” Nozomi said. What ‘edge’ did she mean. Now I was really curious. Nozomi and Taro went into one of the school’s sideways buildings. Ji quickly jumped off the bench and followed them inside. “Have you found any stories yet?” Taro asked turning a corner. Ji went forward but stopped before eyeshot of them. “No, I haven’t. But that Ji boy might be hiding something.” Ji looked around the corner and saw Taro and…Duanphen. Where’d Nozomi go? Ji looked in the other direction but didn’t see her. Then he snuck back in his hiding place. “It’s time to do some field work,” Nozomi said. Ji felt like her voice was coming from the same spot, but she still wasn’t there. Over the next few hours, Ji followed Taro and Duanphen around the school. Duanphen would talk to the students and teachers, while Taro secretly videotaped them. Ji thought it was most peculiar. Then the two of them went to the media room while Ji looked on from the window. “We got some great footage today Duanphen,” Taro said. “Maybe she’s working with Nozomi,” Ji thought. “Don’t you mean, Nozomi,” Duanphen said. Ji blinked for just a moment, and suddenly Nozomi was standing where Duanphen was. “You’re a great shapeshifter Nozomi: Everyone was fooled,” Taro said. “It’s great when you’re a reporter too. People ‘love’ to spill their secrets to anyone but a reporter,” Nozomi said. Ji could understand why she was so cagey that morning. ---- It was getting dark, so Ji knew it was best to find his Dorm. To his surprise, he found that the Boys Dorm was in a floating building: Which he had no way to get to. These were the times when he was happy being an Artist. “SPLASH” He took out his paintbrush and drew a rope from the doorway to the ground below. Then he scurried up the rope to the entrance. “Tomorrow, I need to draw a stairway to get to here,” Ji said all out of breath. Inside, he looked over the directory to find where he was assigned. Once he found his room, he wondered who his roommate would be. “CREAK” “Hey Ji,” someone said. Ji went inside and saw it was Izz. He had already decked out his side of the room with racing flags, trophies, and a sleeping area for Speedy. “I was wondering who my roommate was,” Izz said getting off his bed. “How did you even get up here? I had to draw a rope just to get through the front door,” Ji said. “Well, Speedy is great at doing jumps, so we made it,” Izz said. “But doing that every day: That’s another story,” the motorcycle lamented. “So, we’re allowed to decorate our room?” Ji asked. “Of course. We’re gonna be here for the next four years.” Ji pulled out his paintbrush. “Then I should start on my side of the room. Maybe this wall should be blue…No red…No yellow…No green,” Ji said splashing the wall with paint. “Ji look! Your indecisiveness created an artwork.” Ji stood back and realized that the splotches of paint did look like an artwork. “I guess you’re right.” Ji took some black paint and wrote his signature on the corner of the wall. ---- Soon, the day of the Fair came, and everyone was in anticipation of who would win. The Judges were Mrs. Xi, Ms. Ko, and Mr. Huang himself. First up was Dhara. She had a table set up with cups and saucers. “And what might this be Dhara?” Ms. Ko asked. “My project is called “Table Manners”,” Dhara said picking up a cup. “When you pick up your cup, you hold out your pinky. And one never puts their elbows on the table. Also…” but Dhara was interrupted. “Dhara, what on Earth does this have to do with ‘fantasy’? This is the ‘Fantasy Fair’ after all,” Mr. Huang scolded. “Well…” “Well what? You were supposed to give us something more imaginative, more fantastical.” Dhara stood up. “You want FANTASY! I’LL GIVE YOU FANTASY!” Suddenly, the ribbons on her dress jumped off and formed ribbon-people. “You know what I’d call this?” Dhara asked. “A perfect project,” the ribbon-people said. The Judges clapped. “Great job Dhara.” As the Judges left, Dhara realized something. “How do I get you back on my dress?” she asked. The ribbon-people just shrugged. Next up was Makisig. “My project is called: “The Art of Sound Effects”. Being a cartoon character, I can make lots of sound effects,” he said. “Can you show us some?” Mrs. Xi asked. “Gladly.” Makisig got his face ready to make the sound effects. “YEOW…STEP, STEP, STEP… VROOM…DING DONG, DING DONG…ZOOM…SLITHER.” “That was amazing Makisig,” Ms. Ko said. “Oh…I’m not done.” Out of the blue, Makisig spun his arms around like a propeller and hovered off the ground. “DOOT, DOOT, DOOT, DOOT, DOOT” When Makisig stopped, he SLAMMED himself onto the floor! “CRASH” “MAKISIG! Are you okay?” Makisig immediately sprung back up. “A toon always gets back up,” he said. The Judges clapped in unison. Next up was Duanphen. She had a ladder next to a tall stack of crates. “My project is called “Heroism in action”. Can I have a volunteer?” No one raised their hand. “How about ‘you’ Mr. Huang. Climb up that ole ladder to the top of the stack.” Mr. Huang obeyed, but with hesitation. Once he was at the top, Duanphen took away the ladder and shook the stack of crates with her super-strength. “SHAKE, SHAKE” “DUANPHEN!” Mr. Huang yelled shaking to and fro. “Don’t worry Principal: I’ll save you!” “AAAAAAAHHHHHH!” Mr. Huang screamed falling off the stack. “WHOOSH” Duanphen flew through the air and caught Mr. Huang in the nick of time. “And that: Is the art of HEROISM!” Duanphen bragged. Mr. Huang was still shaking in fear from the whole ordeal. Next up was Kawaii. “I call my project, “The Study of Levitation”.” Kawaii pulled out a test tube and threw it at a chair. “POOF” The chair instantly started floating in mid-air. “OOOOOOOO,” the Judges said. “Oh, so you like the results, do you? How would you like to float AS WELL!” Kawaii exclaimed. She unexpectedly threw a test tube at Mrs. Xi. “POOF” “Whoa, whoa, WHOA!” Mrs. Xi said levitating from the ground. “Let’s spread some CHAOS!” Kawaii cried. She pulled even more test tubes from her lab-coat and threw it in random directions. “POOF, POOF, POOF, POOF” Kids, objects, and things started floating above the room. “I didn’t sign up for this!” Mrs. Xi said from the ceiling. “Kawaii, you went too far! You’re disqualified!” Mr. Huang scolded. “How can I be disqualified if I’m not HERE!” Kawaii pulled out a vile and threw it on the ground, enveloping her in smoke. “POOF” When the smoke cleared, she was gone. “Why did she have to be a Mad Scientist? Mermaids are so much easier: BECAUSE THEY CAN’T WALK!” Mr. Huang lamented. While Mr. Huang tried to see what projects were still intact, Ae-Cha and Dhara went over to Ji’s project. “Hey Ji, you’re up next,” Ae-Cha declared. Ji jumped. “WHAT! But I’m not ready!” he cried. “Well yea, you need to take the cover off of it first,” Dhara said grabbing hold of the sheet. “WAIT! Don’t do…” but Ji was too late. Under the sheet was…A blank piece of white cardboard. “If you’re project was about the color white, you’re gonna get an A plus,” Ae-Cha said. “Okay fine: I didn’t work on my project.” “WHAT!” the girls said. “I had Painter’s block. I couldn’t come up with anything. Now I’ll surely fail.” Ae-Cha unexpectedly took Ji’s paintbrush. “It isn’t that hard: Just splash some paint on the cardboard, and you have a project,” Ae-Cha said. Then she started splashing paint onto the cardboard. “Give me that! You don’t know how to use that thing!” Ji begged. “Painting can’t be that hard.” However, some of the paint missed the cardboard and landed on the ground and table. “Oh no,” Ji said. “BOING, BOING, BOING, BOING” The balls of paint that missed the board started bouncing around the room. “AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!” the kids cried. Ji grabbed the paintbrush out of Ae-Cha’s hand. “Whoops,” she said. “WHAT DO WE DO!” Dhara yelled. Just then, Mr. Huang stomped on over. “What is the meaning of this Ji! Is this your Fantasy Fair project?” “Not at all Mr. Huang. Just a ‘slight’ mishap,” Ji explained. “Ji, we need to get the balls of paint out of the room,” Dhara said. “You’re right! Izz, OPEN THE DOORS!” Ji called. Izz heard him and immediately jumped on his Motorcycle. “Put the pedal to the metal!” Izz commanded. “VRRRRROOOOM” Speedy rammed open the doors. “BANG” “BOING, BOING, BOING, BOING” The balls of paint quickly bounced out of the room. Everyone gave a sigh of relief. “RUMBLE, RUMBLE” “What was that noise?” Dhara asked. They all rushed toward a window and gasped. The balls of paint had come together to create a “ginormous” ball just outside. Dhara passed out. “Princesses,” Ae-Cha whined. Once Dhara had come to, the kids came together to formulate a plan. “Guys, I know this thing is kind of my fault.” “You mean all your fault,” Nozomi accused. “Okay, all my fault…But I can’t fix this alone. We have to come together to fix this. I say we corner the paint ball, and then pop it.” “But it’s so big. How can we do that?” Izz asked. “Haven’t you learned anything from the Fantasy Fair. We’re not limited like real people. We’re Imaginary Friends: We can do anything.” The kids all looked at each other and thought about it. “So how do we do it?” Chaghatai asked. Everyone immediately huddled close to Ji as he explained the plan. ---- Moments later, the giant ball of paint was outside rolling toward the school’s exit. “Nozomi, NOW!” Dhara ordered. Nozomi ran to the exit and morphed into a brick wall. “HALT” The ball of paint stopped in its tracks. “You’re going the wrong way ball,” Dhara said. Her dress ribbons suddenly reached out and whipped the paint ball. “WHIP, WHIP, WHIP” The ball of paint immediately rolled the other way. “BOING” The ball of paint suddenly bounced into the air and landed on the roof of the school. “BANG” Thankfully, Chaghatai was stationed on the roof. “Do your stuff Magna,” Chaghatai said. He pulled his magnifying glass out and it reflected the sunlight onto the ball. “SHINE” The ball winced in pain and rolled off the roof. “BOOM” Next the ball of paint rolled toward a set of doors to try to get inside. “Where ya goin’!” Makisig asked. He quickly stretched himself till he covered the door completely. “TURN” The ball immediately made a U-Turn. Meanwhile, Ji was hard at work drawing something to stop the paint ball. “I’m almost done. But it needs to get to this courtyard soon,” Ji lamented. Duanphen turned on her walkie-talkie. “Kawaii, we’re almost done here. Get the paintball over here NOW!” “Yay! More chaos,” Kawaii said on her end. The ball of paint was in Kawaii’s sight. Now she just had to act. She pulled out a test tube and threw it at it. “POOF” In a ginormous puff of smoke, the paint ball disappeared and teleported to the courtyard. “Thank goodness,” Ji said when he saw it. “Ae-Cha, Izz, you’re on,” Duanphen said. “Hold on tight Ae-Cha,” Izz told her. While the paint ball was still disoriented, Izz and Ae-Cha rode on his motorcycle around the ball. Meanwhile, Ae-Cha spilled tacks from her satchel till the ball was surrounded by them. The paintball suddenly freaked out. “It’s your turn Dinh,” Ae-Cha said as they rode by him. Dinh pulled out his Erhu and played some sleep notes. “ZZZZZZZZ” The paint ball calmed down and caught some Z’s. “I’M DONE!” Ji said in triumph. He had finished drawing a giant nail to burst the ball with. “Here it goes,” Duanphen said heroically. She grabbed onto the nail and flew high into the air. “WHOOSH” Then she pointed it toward the ground and flew right at the ball of paint. “POP” Once the nail hit the ball, it immediately burst and showered everyone in paint. “SPLASH” “It’s in my mouth! It’s in my mouth!” Dhara cried. “Definitely should’ve thought of some umbrella’s… But we did it!” Ji declared. All the kids cheered in triumph. “See Ji, you’re definitely one of us now,” Ae-Cha said. “That’s great…But I feel like we’re forgetting something,” Ji pondered. Just then, Mr. Huang walked over. “So, Ji, where is your project?” he asked. That’s what he forgot. Now there was only one thing him and his friends could do. “SURPRISE!” they yelled. “You’re still disqualified,” the Principal said. “I know.” ---- Later that day, Ji was called to the Principal’s Office. “Um, am I in trouble?” Ji asked. “Not at all. Would you please shut the door please,” Mr. Huang said. Ji obeyed and took a seat. “I’ve heard rumors that the kids are suspicious of you. Why is that?” “None of them remember seeing me at Chusheng Gardens. But thankfully, they’ve accepted me now, so it’s not a problem anymore.” “Ji, you know I pulled a lot of strings to let you come here…” “And I want to be here. This is my dream.” “I know Ji. But are you “sure” no one knows anything else about you?” “No sir. Not a thing.” “Then let’s keep it that way. You can go now Ji.” Ji got up and went toward the door. “And Mr. Huang.” “Yes.” “Thank you so much for this opportunity.” “I know Ji. Now go.” Ji obeyed and left. “RING” went the bell. “Finally, the school day’s over,” Mr. Huang said. He got his things and quickly left the room. Moments later, the chair in the corner morphed into Nozomi. “So, Painter-Boy has a secret, eh…I smell a story,” Nozomi said deviously.