Reality

I had a problem connecting with people, they all seemed uninterested with me, like my parents created a waste. Everyday after my mom tried her best at teaching me, I went wandering in the forest outside our home. I always went looking for Dermot, my friend. We had met last year when I really had started investigating the woods beyond my backyard. His usual place was an abandoned lumberyard, I never knew why Dermot wasn't busy, it was like he never had school and his parents never needed him home. As soon as I came into the clearing I was pulled into a warm embrace. I burrowed into his chest, emotionally recharging and a smile growing on my face. "How was 'class' Arlo?" He asked, letting go of me, casually sitting down on a log. "Ugh, she really wants me to know what logarithms are but who uses logarithms when all they do is sit inside? " I complained. "Logarithms are actually pretty rad,"He laughed, "I don't know what they're used for but, they have a purpose." I nodded, contemplating Dermot's "wise words" and sat down next to him.
We usually could sit like this for hours, just thinking and not talking, we always seemed connected. But i felt different today, like something inside of me had switched on. My mind was an endless buzz of words and noise. Dermot seemed to sense my discomfort and grabbed my hand gently, something he didn't do. "Arlo? Did you find something new when you went to the doctor?" he asked. I shook my head, it was the annual checkup my mom made sure i had, but i was still as healthy as i could be, although i was immensely thin and short. Dermot was the opposite of me, dark-skinned, with amazing grey hair, he actually didn't have to worry about his weight and he was at least taller than me. I had no idea who or what his family looked like, Dermot didn't share anything beyond the forest. Slowly, we began to talk more, talking about our futures and reminding ourselves that we were almost free from Yachats, Oregon. I was 7 months and 5 days younger than him. But never did he say that he was leaving, it was always we. I couldn't tell if Dermot liked me, i hoped he didn't know of the feelings he gave me.
Hours passed and the sky changed, bringing the worried calls and texts from my mother. My mind had calmed and i felt better, slowly i stood up, my hand still intertwined with his. "Aye, Dermot..." i whispered, "My mom is calling, i have to go." He opened his eyes, and stood up wrapping me into another hug. "I wish you didn't have to leave sometimes..." He mumbled. I froze, 'Did he...Did he mean it?' i wondered. "Arlo... I'm in love with you," he said, staring right into my eyes, "I really mean it." And then he laughed and gave me a noogie, messing up my curly blonde hair. "I'll see you tomorrow," I said, trying to smile a little less. I started walking away, then turned around whispering, "I love you Dermot." And then i ran, laughing as i heard him starting to yell and laugh at me. I was filled with something new, it wasn't fear that he would know, i wanted him to know, and i'm sure he did.
I couldn't stop smiling, i couldn't sit still. I sat in my bedroom, doing work at my desk, when my mom came in. "Honey, how are you feeling?" She asked. "I feel great!" I replied, surprisingly not sarcastic. "Can i ask why?" she said, sitting down on my bed. "Mom, i'm in love and he loves me back!" I squealed, sitting quickly next to her. "Arlo... who are you... in love with?" My mom suddenly seemed very uncomfortable all of a sudden. "Dermot, i fell in love with Dermot." I replied, waiting for her excitement. "Oh Arlo, Honey..." She mumbled, "He isn't real... He's a figure of your imagination... a simple coping mechanism...Remember...You have Schizophrenia"