The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

by John Perkins

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“That doesn’t go there.” Noah separated the red plastic block from the rest, “the wings need to be blue.” He rifled through the plastic tub of Legos, pulling out a blue six-by-two, and snapped it into place. “See?”

“Noah,” his mom called, “dinner’s ready.”

“Just a minute.” Noah turned to his friend with a smile, “I think she made spaghetti.”

Sitting on the floor of his room, Noah again shoved his hand into the small ocean of colored blocks, searching for another blue. “Yes, but they laughed at me. I don’t want to talk about school anymore.”

“Noah!”

“Coming mom.” Noah turned back to Tony, “you have to stay here.” He ran downstairs to find his parents at the table, “sorry.”

“What were you doing up there?” Noah’s dad, after only two beers, was still in a decent mood. “Were you talking to your invisible friend again?” He laughed, taking a deep swig of liquid hate.

“Leave him alone Hank. You know he doesn’t have any real friends.”

Noah finished dinner, watching as Tony sat at the top of the stairs, waving.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted 2 months ago

    Not entirely happy with the ending, but I ran out of room after trying to give the father a real personality. Hopefully this fits in with what you were looking for from this challenge. After THX ’s number challenge, it was the most difficult for me.

  2. The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

    Fantasy's Buddy Icon Fantasy

    Posted 2 months ago

    very good. i know he shouldn’t, but Tony creeps me out.

    I feel bad for Noah, I can see why he needs Tony.

  3. The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    This was interesting because the first time I read through the story I identified the dad as the supporting character, but the second time I read the story I felt like Tony was the real supporting character in more than one way. Without an imaginary friend, I don’t think Noah would survive school and an alcoholic dad.

  4. The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted 2 months ago

    Tony, Dad and Mom are all supporting characters that I wanted the reader to feel something different about. I’m just not a good enough writer to pull it off effectively. But Tony is indeed the main supporting character.

  5. The Only Friend He Has (Great Supporting Characters Challenge)

    PyroPunk 51 (PPP LoA)'s Buddy Icon PyroPunk 51 (PPP LoA)

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Well done John, I think the alcoholic dad came across nicely, I didn’t get a real feeling bout mom though. Tony is cool, alltough he doesn’t talk much.

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