Leon was taking a shower in the locker rooms after the game. He welcomed the hot water on his sore body. He might have over done it today. He scored a total of four goals. He could have scored more but he decided to pass the ball to his teammates. They ended up winning five to zero.

When he was done showering, he wrapped a towel around his torso and walked to his locker. When he entered that part of the locker room, he found a few of his teammates waiting for him.

"Good game today, Leon," Branson, the senior goalkeeper, said.

"Those were some nice goals," Reese, the senior center back, smiled.

"We were wondering if you wanted to go to our party tonight," Brian, the other senior center back, asked.

The three of them were captains of the soccer team and together, they made an impenetrable defensive line. The three of them in the back and Leon in the front made the perfect team.

Reese, Branson, and Brian lived together in a house off campus where they threw parties.

"I know, you always say no to us, but we really want you to come tonight," Branson said.

"Like really, really want you to come out tonight," Brian said.

Leon stared at them.

"Why, you ask, simple. You never go out. You only study and play, play and study. We want you to be able to experience everything college has to offer," Reese said.

Leon stared at them.

"Fine, I'll tell you the real reason. This smoking hot girl said she will only come if you come. Apparently her friend has a huge crush on you, or something. I really want to smash tonight, help a brother out," Reese gave him a huge smile and put his hands together as if he was praying.

"I just want you to leave that room of yours," Brian shrugged.

"Yeah, man, it's only Reese that's asking for selfish reasons. I just want you to have fun," Branson said.

"Guys," Reese turned around and shushed them.

Leon sighed, "fine."

"Fine means yes, right?" Reese turned and asked Brian.

"I think so," Brian said.

"He said yes!" Reese yelled, "I'm going to tell her right now!" He ran out of the locker room.

"Can you guys let me dress now?" Leon opened his locker.

"Oh yeah, sure, man," Branson and Brian walked out, "See you tonight."

When they were gone, Leon changed into jeans and a black t-shirt. He combed his hair with his fingers. What did he just agree to? He grabbed his bag and walked out of the room.

The three seniors were nice to him, he knew that. They would not put him in a bad situation, or at least, he thought they wouldn't. It was hard nowadays on figuring out who was nice to him for the right reasons. Some were nice because they were sympathetic. Others because he was a soccer star. The worst reason, because of the money he now had. The money was a blessing and a curse. It really opened doors for him but some people tried leeching off him and were fake nice. He hated fake nice.

He put in his earbuds and taped on his watch to start his music. He then walked out of the locker room.

Hours passed and the next thing he knew his teammate ,Charlie, was driving him to the house. Leon had his own car but Charlie offered to drive him. Charlie was the left wing but was good with both of his feet.

"I'm so happy that you're going," Charlie started saying, "we're all so hyped."

Leon was looking out the window. Thankfully it was going to be a short drive. He did not reply to him.

"I'm the DD tonight so if you want to drink, you can," Charlie said, "I'm driving Stevie and Kay back to the dorms, too. They're going to meet us there."

Leon nodded his head.

"The whole team is going to be there, so you don't have to worry about not having anyone to talk to. Well, if you do want to talk. What I'm trying to say is that you should feel comfortable," he said.

"Thanks, man," Leon faced him to give him a quick smile before looking back out the window.

After Sillie died, he preferred being alone. Dr. Hady said it was because Leon was trying to protect himself from feeling that pain again. No friends equaled no-one to mourn when they left.

"And here we are," Charlie parked on the side of the street. He unlocked the car and Leon stepped out.

"Help me bring the drinks in?" Charlie asked.

Leon nodded and grabbed a case of beer out of the back seat. The house was pretty nice for three college students. The grass in the front was green and there was a bricked path to the see through front door.

Cars were already parked around the house and Leon could hear the faint sound of music as he walked the bricked path. Charlie caught up with him, holding his own case of beer.

"Have you ever drank before?" Charlie asked him.

"With my father and once with my high school team," Leon said.

"Okay, cool," Charlie said.

Brian saw them through the door and opened it for them, "hey guys! Glad you could make it!" When he opened the door, the music became louder.

"Here let me take that," Brian grabbed the case out of Leon's hands as he was walking in.

"So the other players are already here. Stuff should start getting good in a little bit when more people come. We're kinda in the eye of the storm at the moment," Brian said.

Leon nodded his head.

"Everyone is in the living room," Brian said, pointing to the right as he turned left into what Leon guessed was the kitchen.

"He's putting the beer away," Charlie said, "I'm going to help him. I'll meet you in the living room."

Leon nodded his head and started walking to the right. On his way, he saw stairs. He could now hear the chatter of people but was curious to see what was upstairs. He was sure it was just bedrooms. He put his hand on the rail.

"Hey Leon! Over here," Branson said with a smile as he waved Leon over.

Leon walked into the room and saw a group of people sitting on sofas. Reese had his arm over a girl. When Reese saw him, he picked up his hand and waved, "hey, man. Glad you could come. This is Allysa" ,he motioned to girl next to him, "and her friend, Emma."

Emma was wearing a plum purple dress that made her vibrant green eyes stand out. She had wavy brown hair that barely touched her shoulders.

"Nice to meet you Allysa and Emma," Leon said. He then took the empty seat next to Branson, across from Reese and the girls.

"Good game today," Allysa said.

"Thank you," Leon politely said. He was looking at Allysa but he could see that Emma was shyly looking at him.

Leon could guess why Reese was attracted to Allysa. She was exotic looking with glowing caramel skin and hazel eyes. She had silky long black hair. Even though she was sitting down, Leon could tell that she was tall and slender with a big bust.

Where Allysa gave off sex appeal, Emma gave off a girl-next-door vibe.

"What grade are you in?" Allysa asked him.

"Sophomore," Reese answered for him, "Leon doesn't talk a lot. He's the mute of the team."

"Oh," was all Allysa said.

Brian and Charlie walked into the room holding a few opened bottles of beer. Brian offered one to Leon and he took it.

.

There was a cool breeze in the air that gently swayed Cecilia's purple hair. After Leon's soccer game, she went to visit her life long friend, Victor. Victor was still a friend and was was now watching over a little girl the age of two.

Her whole family was together at a barbecue in a park and she was on her father's lap. Her name was Delilah and Victor called her "Dels".

She was currently leaning on a tree, waiting for Victor to finish talking to the other Imaginary Friends at the family party. Dels had some cousins.

Victor turned around, noticeably upset. He walked over to Cecilia and wrapped his arms around her as if to make a point.

"They want me to leave," she said as she hugged him back.

"How did you know? Did you read their minds?" Victor started stroking her hair.

"I didn't need to," Cecilia said, "it's obvious that they're scared of me."

"They don't know you," Victor said, "like how I know you." He leaned back enough to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"You know I don't like public affection," She said in his mind.

He smiled, "I know but I had to make a point."

"And what point was that," she asked him.

"That I love you and you're not going anywhere," he thought.

She rolled her eyes and Victor kissed her on the top of her forehead.

"I have to leave before night," Cecilia said after a comfortable moment of silence, "Leon is going to a college party and I want to monitor."

"Are you sure you want to see him twice in one day?" Victor asked her. If anyone else had said that, she would have became defensive. She knew Victor was right, however. He was with her for as long as he could be through her transition. He was there holding her as she shook with sadness and regret.

"I can handle it," she said, "Leon doesn't usually go to parties. I want to make sure he'll be okay. I would be a nervous wreck if I wasn't with him. "

Victor softly squeezed her before letting go, "I understand."

"The sun will be setting in a few hours," she said.

"That's a few hours we'll enjoy as the Reds, Yellows, and Greens glare at us from across the park," Victor said.

Sure enough, three reds, two yellows, and two greens had their arms crossed as they talked to one another.

Cecilia could hear their conversation with her sensitive ears.

"She has no business being here," a red man said.

"She's an abomination," a green woman said.

"A freak," a yellow woman said.

"What are they saying?" Victor asked her.

Cecilia stopped listening and gave Victor a small smile, "how beautiful I am and how much they love me."

Victor laughed, "when did you get so funny?"

"Burgers are ready!" a man wearing a pink apron that read "Kiss the cook" yelled. The family cheered and started lining up.

"The man cooking is her grandfather," Victor said. Her father picked her up and started walking to the line. Dels was giggling and her father was laughing as he bounced her up and down.

"I like seeing happy, healthy father and daughter relationships," Cecilia said.

Victor intertwined their hands and rubbed the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb.

"I wish you were born with a different father," Victor said.

"I don't. Not anymore. I have come to realize that he needed to be the way he is for me to be the way I am. Everything happens for a reason," she said, "I have come to accept that." It was almost bittersweet, this feeling she had right now. Of course she wished life was different. She wished that she was raised in a loving home, that Belial never showed his face, that Leon had lost his innocence naturally. Sadly, the World did not work that way.

"She's calling me," Victor said as Dels was waving him over. He let go of her hand and walked over. She was laughing as she was reaching for him.

"Hello, my little one," he bent down to be eye level with her, "is that a hamburger patty in your hand." He pretended to take a bite out of it and she squealed, "Noooo mineeee."

"Why are you here."

The other Imaginary Friends had formed a semicircle around her.

Cecilia sighed, "can't you all just enjoy the party? I mean no harm."

Cecilia could sense the gathering of sins. The lions were feeding off their anger. She was keeping them away, telling them they could not step foot on the grass.

"We are too concerned about you to have any fun," a green said.

"It's not me you have to be concerned about," she knew her next statement was going to piss them off but she decided to say it anyway, "I'm one of you."

She could feel the anger radiating off of them. The lions loved that.

"You? One of us? You still think you can call yourself an Imaginary Friend after you've been tainted by demon's blood?" a red yelled. He opened his mouth again but nothing came out. This confused him and he looked at his peers for help.

"You're making a scene. Your children are getting curious," Cecilia said, "so I took away your voice."

"How could you do that?" a yellow asked. She kept her voice under control so Cecilia let her speak.

"The mind is a funny thing, you know. It took a long time but I learned my way around it. I know every section like the back of my hand. Your mental defenses are week," Cecilia said, "All I wanted to do was spend some time with my Victor but you guys are making it really difficult. I'm going to show you something."

Cecilia connected all their minds and they all appeared in a black space. They looked around shocked.

"Where are we?" a green said franticly.

"Your minds," Cecilia said, "there's nothing to worry about."

"Who are our guests?" Belial was sitting in a recliner chair with his legs kicked up. He seemed as comfortable as could be.

"I-is that the demon?" a yellow backed away.

"Don't worry, he can't hurt you," Cecilia said.

"Is this what you wanted to show us," a red asked, "a real demon."

"No," Cecilia said, "he's just bonus."

Cecilia raised her hand and sphere with images inside it appeared.

She tossed the sphere up and it exploded. She watched as their eyes became colorful as her memories raced right before them. When seconds passed their eyes turned back to normal.

"Why?" a red asked.

"I thought you all should know me before you judged me," Cecilia said, "you can still hate me, if you want, but at least now you would have a reason."

A green girl started sniffling, "your life is so sad."

"I try to cherish the happy parts of my life. Victor makes me happy so when he told me about this barbecue party, I was excited. I want to say I'm used to people hating me, because of what I am now, but if I'm being honest, it still hurts. I try not to think about it, but I can't help myself," Cecilia said.

In an instant, they were back in the real world. They looked around them amazed. They then looked at each other and nodded. With out saying a word, they walked away from her. Their anger levels lowered and the lions became uninterested.

Victor walked over to her, "is everything okay?"

"I hope so," she said.

"Warm colors are hot headed and we know greens are stubborn," Victor said.

"They can be whatever they want to be," Cecilia said, "besides, they won't be bothering us anymore. Oh, and before I forget. Nate and James invited us to a double date on Sunday night."

"Married couples are allowed to go on dates?" Victor asked as he kissed her on the forehead. 

The green girl who said her life was sad was only partially right.

"I know, but what really is curious is how James can be so calm right now. The warm and cool color's relationship is really rocky right now," Cecilia said. 

"I'm sure everything will work out," Victor said. 

"The World depends on it to," Cecilia said.