Believe
by Katie, 5th grade
Kacey was a small girl with a big imagination. She had an imaginary land, she had an imaginary house, but most importantly she had an imaginary friend, Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi went everywhere with Kacey, the mall, the movies, Bon Jovi was there.
One day when Kacey was ten she got made fun of for having an imaginary friend. Her friends started avoiding her and Kacey was lonely; even with Bon Jovi there.
*
The schoolyard was chilly and peaceful; it was the time Kacey had all to herself. The red rusty swings creaked as she swung back and forth, thinking. She could almost hear the mice scuttling around the huge old silver castle, her school. The wind was whistling a soft sound in the background, making the white and gold aspens rustle. She set her hand down slowly on the cool, dark pebbles. This was the only time the pebbles were cold, when the sky was full of glowing stars and only the creatures of the night were out.
Suddenly, Kacey heard a twig snap in the bushes. It was her friend, Samantha. She yelled something to Kacey. “Kacey, if you grow up and ditch that freak Bon whatever we will all stop avoiding you. Just realize there is no such thing as imaginary friends!”
After the harsh words of her friend, she sat and thought. She loved Bon Jovi and didn’t want to lose him, but her friends, she needed her friends. That was the only time to get them back. “I’m too old for them anyway,” she whispered to herself. That’s when she did it. She said it right to Bon Jovi’s face, “I DON’T BELIEVE!
**
The smell of fresh beans caught the attention of Kacey. “Mom, is it time for dinner?” Kacey asked even though she knew the answer to that question as well as her mom did.
“Yep, come to the table will ya, your father and I have a very important announcement.” At that Kacey stumbled to the dinner table almost knocking over and breaking all the china.
“Yeah, yeah, tell me I wanna know!” she yelled.
“Okay, okay, not so loud. Your father and I wanted to tell you that we adopted another child. Giesha come on in sweetie.” A beautiful young girl with black hair slipped in the room shyly. At this Kacey almost fell over screaming and crying tears of joy but instead she just ran over and hugged and kissed her all over
*
Giesha was seven and Kacey was 11 but they grew up as best friends. Giesha had an even bigger imagination that Kacey had. Giesha was always talking to her imaginary friend, Elvis. Kacey didn’t think anything of it. She didn’t remember ever having an imaginary friend.
The days went on normally and Kacey and Giesha got older. Elvis was still there and Giesha was still a believer. Kacey still didn’t remember until one strange night when Kacey’s mom was being interviewed for a very important job, something went terribly wrong.
Kacey could hear the steady pounding of raindrops on her roof. The smell of rain was strong in the air and Kacey enjoyed every last bit of it. She could feel the lumps in her bed, and clearly the bed would have to be given away sometime. It had served its job well for the last twelve years but the need for a new one was great. She didn’t want a new bed, or a new blanket, a new computer, or a new rug, she was just fine with the ones she had. Everyone hated how Kacey always got attached old things. She was the exact opposite of most 12 year olds; she wanted to keep the old.
The interview in the family home office went smoothly and it was time to take a break for supper. Everyone gathered at the table and sat down, nothing seemed suspicious. About half way through dinner the interviewer went to the bathroom. Suddenly, every heard a scream and the interviewer ran out of the bathroom. “Get my purse and get me out of this horrid house!” The interviewer got her purse and was out of the house in a flash, even with the big plump butt she had.
Kacey’s mom was in shock, sitting on the bright yellow chair. Her face was flushed with red. Kacey assumed the problem was in the bathroom so she rushed straight there. That’s when she saw it. Written in what looked like blood it said “Bon Jovi was here” on the mirror. All over the walls it said “I will conquer your life.” Kacey slowly backed out of the bathroom. That’s when she noticed a small folded piece of paper. She reached down and picked it up. It said something really weird, “Remember me; believe!” She didn’t show anyone the note and she washed the writing off the walls. Her mom hurried into the bathroom and asked, “What on earth is the problem with the bathroom?”
She thought about telling her the truth but instead she lied. “I don’t know, maybe she just looked in the mirror,” she said. Her mom gave her an agitated look and the hurried off.
Kacey went straight upstairs to Giesha’s room. She didn’t even think to knock, she just rushed in. “Giesha, I’ve got something to ask you. Do you ever remember me talking about a guy named Bon Jovi?” Kacey asked. Clearly Giesha was startled and she obviously had heard Kacey talk about him. “C’mon, c’mon, tell me, tell me!” She demanded.
“Honestly Kacey you don’t remember?” Kacey stared blankly at Giesha. “He was your imaginary friend until like two years ago. He was always there, just like me and Elvis… until you stopped believing.” Giesha’s face went cold with fear. “How he’s back to haunt you. There’s only one way to stop him.” She paused to consult with Elvis. Kacey was at a loss of words, though now it was all coming back to her. “Okay, okay,” Giesha started again. “All you have to do is recite these exact words and he will be back with you forever. Bon Jovi I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, please come back to me!” Kacey screamed those exact words and a whoosh of wind blew through the room almost knocking Kacey over. There he was, exactly as Kacey remembered him.
“Hello Kacey,” he said in exactly the loving voice she remembered. “I’ve missed you a whole bunch!” I have a lot to tell you!” They hugged and told each other about what had happened for hours. To this day Kacey still believes in Bon Jovi and is always telling people her life long lesson: you are never too old to believe!
