"I've noticed that you talk to yourself a lot in school." Mrs. Mckoy said.

"I'm not talking to myself." I say.

Another day with Mrs. Mckoy she was summoning me often. I get to miss some classes which I suppose is a good thing, but she keeps pounding me with questions.

"So then who are you talking to?"

"A friend."

"A friend?" 

"Sort of like an imaginary friend."

Hey.

"Not really though." I corrected.

"What's his name?"

I stop.

Never thought I had a name. Always my monster. 

"I've been talking to him for so long that he doesn't need a name." 

"How much have you been talking to him?"

"As far back as I was abandoned."

"By your real parents?"

I nod. 

"Do you ever think about them?"

"No. Not really?"

"Do you ever think about why they abandoned you?"

"No. Maybe..." I admit.

"I ran into Meana on the way here. She says you left on a playdate. Why?" 

"She yelled at me out of the fucking blue."

"What happened?"

"I was trying to make a joke. I think she took it the wrong way. Then she yelled at me."

"Did it hurt?"

"Yes. Felt like a thousand needles." 

"Really?"

I nod.

"What did you do?"

"I ran."

"Why?"

"I wanted to get out of there." 

"Why?"

"I just needed to." 

She sighs. 

"Can I go now?" 

"Yes. You may. I'll tell the teacher you were with me." She said.

I nod. I knew we would meet again. She pulls me every single day into her office.