Hollywood Bridge
A fall
"Do what?" I snapped at the stranger.
"Don't play dumb with me, kid. You know what."
After a moment of thought I asked, "I suppose you're going to try and stop me jumping?" Though I thought I already knew the answer.
"No." He responded simply. I was shocked and relieved, I didn't want this being harder than it already was.
I took a deep breath.
The man began to walk away.
I let go of the railing and savoured the last feeling of the wind. Then, I jumped.
The wind screamed in my ears.
I kept my eyes open, fixed on the water. I wanted to feel for once.
I hit the water like a bullet into a wall of ice.
A dull splash.
Temporary silence. Then the sound of the rapids above.
I kept my eyes open beneath the water, focused dead ahead on the rocks in front of me, hoping I would hit my head and drown.
It was meant to be quicker -over in a flash, but it wasn't.
The current forced me towards my end and I closed my eyes. I didn't trust myself not to try and save myself. I couldn't take another failed attempt.
A strong hand grappled with my shoulder.
I grabbed it and pulled, bringing the arms owner in with me, but they didn't let go.
The hand dragged me towards the bank as I fought against it. It was no use, my 'hero' was incredibly stong, with muscular corded forearms. A scrawny guy like me had no hope.
Finally, I got a glimpse of the 'hero'.
"You!?" I asked numbly as I recognised the person. "You said you weren't going to stop me!"
"No. I said I wouldn't stop you jumping. I never said anything about saving you from drowning."
I screamed. "It's not fair! My life is too hard! You should have left me!" the stranger didn't even flinch.
"You sound like a five year old." he responded calmly.
I laughed hollowly. "Yeah, I guess."
The stranger extended a hand. "I'm Jakob. You can call me Jake." He smiled beneath the long curling mess of hair.
"Ryan." I didn't take his hand, and he slowly lowered it awkwardly.
"Well, there's no point just standing here is there?" He shivered. "I can't really speak for you, but I don't want to freeze to death." Was this guy seriously joking about death to a guy who had just attempted suicide? I liked him already.
He rambled about something, and I had this sudden fear that the one decent person I'd found would just go ahead and leave me with nothing but his name, and within a week I'd be back to planning my next attempt. I couldn't let that happen. I thought fast; "Hey, Jake." I interrupted. "How do you feel about pizza?" His eyes lit up like the Hollywood sign.
"I love pizza!"
"Fancy grabbing some with me? It's the least I can do. You're the first person whose been kind to me." I admitted softly.
"I don't know." he muttered undecidedly. "I'm supposed to be collecting a rather drunk friend from the local strip club-"
"He or she can come too!" I interrupted with panicked enthusiasm.
"Okay! We'll take my car."
"Hitching a ride with someone I only just met? I may as well order Death a drink, I've flirted with her that much! You could be a murderer or anything!"
Jake laughed, it was an amazing sound. "You're morbid. I like you!"
I muttered some semblance of thanks, but I was so distracted by his muscles, the way his hair curled slightly now it was wet but still wouldn't stay plastered to his head. He had these deep brownish eyes that held a wisdom beyond his years, framed with longer than average eyelashes. I put his age around his late twenties/early thirties. Too old for me, I thought, still I found him attractive, but that was just a side effect of him saving my life five minutes ago, right?
Notes
Okay, so a second chapter. I promise Cathy Boldero will enter the story in the next couple of chapters, but who is she? And how will she fit in? As for the friend Jake is going to fetch, it's quite clearly Ashley.
But how does Ryan feel about Jake?
Comment toughts, feelings, suggestions, whatever! Even if it's just to say 'hi' or suggest something totally outrageous! I love to talk to people!
@Lucifer
oh, wow. Thank you *shyly shuffles from foot to foot* I'm no good with compliments. XD
I'm glad you liked it. :)
3/3/15