September 26th 2013
I
kind of wish I’d started writing back when this was all happening. A journal…some
memento to hang onto. Now all I have left is a jumble of memories, happy and
sad. The best summer of my life and the worst at the same exact time.
Parents,
teachers, my friends’ parents…they all say take life by the reigns…but what if
you don’t have the reigns? What if no one does? What if the best people in life
get the shortest end of the stick and the hypocrites succeed in everything they
do? What if you can’t stop the downward spiral that ends in misery? What if…?
What
if someone asked you to be friends and set a time limit on the friendship? At
the time friendship with an expiration date was—of course—fine with you since
he was just sort of barging his way into your life anyway. Then during the
course of this peculiar and short friendship he changes everything. He turns
your world inside out, switches left to right and up to down. How easy would it
be for you to let that person go? Forget all about him? Move on with your life?
Would you chase him to the ends of the earth--eagerly awaiting your joyous
reunion? Or would you ignore the pain in your heart and trek on down your
separate path?
I’m
a different person now than I was four months ago. I’m probably more cynical
and pessimistic… but at the same time I’m a heck of a lot more empathetic and
sensitive towards other people. There’s not many ways I can describe what
happened to me…it’d be easier if I just told it as a story. It’s not hard to
know where to start, let’s start where my life began. Not the birth canal kind
of beginning. I’m talking about the kind of life-beginning where you start
trying to find a purpose and understand why you were put on this cosmic
dust-speck.
Occasionally
I have some entries where I just want to rant about life but for the most part
this is an account, a story--a true one. That’s why this isn't a diary, it’s a
book--and not one about me. If I wrote a book about the past me it’d be plain
boring, who wants to hear about a girl who walked through life? This is a story
about the boy who taught me how to fly--no soar.
Chapter 1
I never had really liked big cities. I definitely didn't like driving in them--it was nerve-wracking.
If my
target hadn't been such a rare copy of Oliver Twist I would have passed
up on this particular opportunity to add to my collection. I adored Charles
Dickens writings, this was the sixth copy I had of this one work. I hugged the
paper bag closer to my chest. I decided not to give my new treasure a thorough
inspection until after I got home.
I was
so taken up with my purchase that I didn't notice the crowd between me and my
car until I bumped into a heavyset woman.
“Sorry!”,
I apologized immediately.
She
brushed me away and kept her eyes trained towards the sky. “Is he going to
jump?”
I
followed her line of sight. Fifty stories above us a small speck of a person
could be seen, balancing precariously on a ledge. The police were already
gathering and several people were rushing into the building. If this guy was
really serious about jumping there was no way they’d make it in time.
I
wondered what could push someone to the point where they would just want to end
it all. A rotten child hood? A relationship gone bad? Bankruptcy? Perhaps he or
she was just so sick of the monotony we call life that the decision to throw
themselves onto the pavement hundreds of feet below came naturally. I shuddered
and began pushing my way through the crowd, my morbid curiosity had quickly
been overcome with the fear of seeing something to gruesome for words.
Despite
my rush I didn't manage to get inside my car before he jumped. It was close. In
fact I’d just managed to turn my key in the lock of the ‘98 Camry before he threw
himself down and a collective scream-like gasp sounded from those watching from
below.
I didn't want to watch but my eyes were drawn towards the plummeting body like
paper clip to a magnet. After a second or two I squeezed my eyes shut. Would I
hear the sickening thud I’d only experienced in movies? Bones snapping? Flesh
tearing?
I was
probably too far away to hear the sound of a body hitting the ground but I
heard the excited screams and shouts of the gathered crowd. I wondered if they
should make such a spectacle of someone’s death, wasn't it disrespectful? It
seemed like some sort of sacrilege.
“So
this is death…” I slowly opened my eyes.
“No
way! This is living.”
It took
me a second or two to take in my surroundings. The world I’d closed my eyes to
was not the one I saw when I opened them. It felt as if the spectators
eyes--that had been so focused on the suicide jumper a few seconds ago--were
all drilled on me. Of course they weren't actually looking at me. They were
staring at the boy, in a trench coat, struggling out of a parachute like
apparatus, who’d just landed lightly on the hood of my car.
It took
him a few seconds to get out of his harness which promptly flew away with the
slightest breeze. He slid off my car. “Sorry about that. I didn't realize the
wind would blow me this far.” He gave the hood a quick inspection. “Yeah…looks
like a put a dent in it. I don’t have much money but I’m sure I can pay it off
somehow.” He turned back towards me with a well-that’s-life sort of expression.
I
recognized him after a second or two. Black hair, sad gray eyes, a gaunt frame
and semi-pale skin. I had a photo-graphic memory and it rarely took even this
long for me to associate a name with a face. He was smiling. In the three years
I shared some class with him I’d never seen so much as a smirk. Not only was he
smiling, but his eyes were alight with amusement. Eyes that had only been dead
in the past.
There
were some shouts off in the crowd, police-men pushing their way forward.
“Ah.
Looks like I got to go. I might have disturbed the peace…a little.”
I shook
my head, trying to get my confused thoughts in order. “Harry?”
He
froze in the midst of his initial dash away. “How do you…?” He was obviously
curious as to who I was but he looked back at the approaching cops,
panic-stricken.
I made
a decision right then and there. It was probably the most important choice I've made in my entire life. It was the sort of decision that would change
everything, though at the time I made it rather whimsically. “Get in the car.”
He was
too disoriented to disobey my order. He slid into the back-seat as I turned the
ignition. I thanked God that I had backed into my parking space. In one fluid
motion I swung out of the parking lot. I breathed out a sigh of relief when the
police officers disappeared from my sight in my rear-view mirror. “They
probably still got my license plate number though…”
Harry
finally spoke up. “Um…Thanks. Who are you?”
“Don’t
recognize me? We’re in the same class though. I normally wear contacts at
school.” I removed my glasses and met his eyes in the mirror.
“Oh.
You’re that girl who’s like madly in love with Connor Higgins right?”
“Huh!?
Where did you-”
Harry
continued. “Um…Mabel? Beatrice? Agnes?”
“Are
those just the most grandmotherly names you could come up with on the spot?
Claire Everett.”
“Claire
Everett…I guess I do know of someone named something like that. Though I've never talked to her or spent excessive time looking at her so I wouldn't be able to distinguish the original from a fake. Can you provide any evidence?
It’s kind of weird for some random girl to practically force me into her car
and take off.”
I couldn't tell if he was joking or serious but either way I was getting
irritated. Me offering him a ride wasn't even a quarter as odd as him throwing
himself off a building, I figured my questions took priority over his. “Look.
I’m your classmate. You looked like you were in trouble so I helped you out.
Are you really this surprised?”
“Yeah,
I’m surprised. I’m surprised you knew my name. I guarantee you’re one of the
only ones at school who does. I mean, I’m honored in a way. Claire
Everett…knows my name.”
“Are
you teasing me right after I prevented you from getting arrested? I’m not all
that popular at school and I don’t think I give off airs. Why are you acting as
if I do?”
Harry
was silent for a moment. “Compared to me you’re like a queen or something. But
I suppose even a few friends looks like a vast following to someone who’s
cursed with antisocialism like some sort of freakish tattoo.”
I
rolled my eyes. “You don’t seem all that antisocial to me.”
“Really?
I guess I've just gained some insight into the human nature as of recent.”
I shook
my head. “Where should I take you?”
“Where
ever you’re going should be fine.”
“I’m
going home.”
“Do you
mind?”
I
chewed on my lip. What the heck? Yes I minded. “Well… I've got a lot of studying
to do.”
“Really?
What a coincidence. So do I!”
I could
see in the reflection him making a big show of checking an imaginary watch.
“I might
just be able to fit you into my schedule.”
He was
just doing whatever he wanted! “You don’t understand…”
His
tone adopted a forlorn quality and a depressed undertone. “My parents aren't at
home and if I’m by myself right now I feel like I might do something to
myself…minus the parachute.”
Urk.
How was I supposed to respond to that? For someone I’d rarely heard a word out
of the last few years of school he sure knew how to spin a verbal web. “You can
come over…but you have to answer my questions okay?”
“Deal.
The only ones I won’t answer, are ones concerning why I jumped.”
“I
think it’s pretty obvious that those questions are on the forefront of my
mind.”
“Really?
That was all you had? Don’t you think that the answer to that question could be
a little--you know--private?”
“You didn't do your skydiving act in private, so why should you keep your reasons
secret?”
Harry
leaned forward. “How about we cut a deal?”
He had
a mischievous glint in his eyes. It worried me a bit…but it intrigued me as well.
“If it’s anything weird or perverted you’re walking the rest of the way back.”
The
glint in his eyes grew stronger. “It’s not perverted, but it’s definitely
pretty weird.”
I kept
my eyes on the road but he had my full attention.
“While
you’re a thousand times more popular than me you’re nowhere near Higgin’s level
now are you?”
“What
makes you think that I like Connor?” I cursed my cheeks for the tingling heat
that was flushing them.
“Ah
you’re blushing.”
It wasn't the sort of thing I could deny.
“I
haven’t been participating in high-school social life much the last few years
but I've been observing my classmates. Most of the girls wear their emotions on
their sleeves, it doesn't take much consideration to determine what they want
or think about.”
I
muttered under my breath. “Ninety-nine percent of guys would disagree with
you.”
Harry’s
expression became serious. “But you’re different. You take a lot more to crack.
Though in the end I just accepted that as a personal challenge. I was going to
infiltrate your perfect little world.”
I
breathed out a laugh. “Oh and what were the analysis’s findings?”
Harry
stared into my eyes through the reflection. “That your world is far from
perfect, in many ways. In fact I might have a healthier internal life than you
do--and that’s saying a lot.”
My
stomach lurched. Just what did this strange boy know about me?
That
playful look returned to his eyes. “School ends in a week or so right? Be my
friend for the next three months. It’s a noncommittal relationship for a single
summertime, by the end of it we walk our separate ways. You’ll know why I
jumped from that building and I’ll help you with what you really want.”
Ideally
I needed a moment to process his request but he pressed on.
“You
act like you’re content with life but in reality you feel insufficient right?
You want to beat that long-time rival of yours--Sarah--and take Higgins for
yourself.”
How
does he know this? My hatred for Sarah wasn't something I mentioned to
anyone--ANYONE--I also wasn't very open about my affections, only Sam--my
closest friend--knew about my long-time crush on Connor. “How would becoming
your friend accomplish those things?”
“I’ll
teach you.”
I felt
a little incredulous. “You are going to teach me how to up my social
status?”
Harry
shook his head. “Of course not. If you’re just interested in playing games then
you’ll just keep giving yourself the penalty. I think we both know what
I’m talking about.”
More
heat stung my cheeks. I think I did but I certainly wasn't going to acknowledge
it.
“I’ll
just show you how to love life. From there it’s up to you to take advantage of
it.”
I was
insanely curious as to what exactly he was offering me but in the end I knew
it’d be best to refuse. Who knew what would happen if I accepted?
He
tacked on an ending to his speech. “If you don’t accept the deal I might just
have to start spreading rumors of your wild hot love for Higgins, the hunky
point-guard, and world’s most eligible bachelor.”
“You’re
threatening me!? After I saved you!?”
“Don’t
think of it as threatening…think of it as me forcing you to accept my
‘returning of the favor’.”
I
rolled my eyes at his paltry justification. “In this case they just so happen
to basically be the same thing.”
In all
honesty, I wasn't quite sure what was happening as we pulled up to my house. Some
way or another this weirdo had wheedled his way inside my home and earned my
“friendship”. I didn't dislike him--no not at all--but still there was
something about him that made the common sense within me scream, “run!” or “get
away from him!”. Though at the same time I was an avid reader. The part of me
that longed for whatever dangerous adventures he would provide wished I could
be around him always.
As we
approached the door I cursed under my breath. There was a reason why I never
had friends over. “My mom is probably inside. I don’t normally bring ‘friends’
home. Try to ignore her. She may be a little…” I trailed off, admitting to my
poor family life was embarrassing.
“I’m
sure your people are no more messed up than mine.”
I tried
to get him to my room before my mom managed to catch a glimpse of him but it
was a short lived dream. She appeared in a flutter of chestnut hair and
sun-dress cut far too short for a woman of her age--at least in my mind it was,
she still looked like a twenty five year old so most men would probably
disagree.
She
smelled heavily of her favorite tequila as she draped an arm around me. “What
is this? My daughter’s finally brought back a man! I thought this day would
never come. She’s such a shy girl really. Though really…” She stepped away from
me and grabbed hold of a lock of Harry’s dark hair. “…you couldn't do any
better? You always struck me as the type to go for the athletic ones. He’s not
bad looking but…” She patted his shoulders. “He’s built like a pencil.”
“Mom.
You’re making him uncomfortable. You can’t just latch on to a teenage guy like
that.”
I
gritted my teeth as she grabbed his arm and pulled him even closer. “What’s
this? Is my baby girl jealous?”
“Mom
you’re seriously embarrassing me right now. You need to find something to do
during the day other than drinking.”
She
untangled herself from Harry with a sigh. “Don’t be such a spoil-sport. I don’t
need to do anything else during the day, cause I married rich, let that be a
lesson to you.”
The
moment I saw an opportunity to drag Harry to the sanctuary of my room I did so.
“Sorry. I honestly don’t know what’s wrong with that woman.”
Harry’s
face was flushed a bit but he wasn't too off put by my mother’s forward nature.
I
offered him my desk chair and plopped down on my bed before him. He seemed a
little uncomfortable. Was it because we were alone in my room? Cute. Come to
think of it he was the first guy who’d ever been in here--with the exception of
my dad. I realized I’d been dwelling on it a little too long when I felt myself
getting nervous.
“Well
let’s discuss our battle strategy.”
I
heaved out a deep breath. “Yeah…okay. Whatever.”
“Say
‘hello’ to Higgins tomorrow.”
I
coughed. “That’s it?” I had said ‘hi’ to Connor before. Did Harry think I was a
total social invalid?
“Yep
that’s it. Give him a genuine greeting. Not a passing wave or a quick
acknowledgement. You've got to look him in the eye, say hello, and smile--not a
slutty smile.”
I wasn't quite sure what a “slutty smile” looked like. “This is your plan to make
me love being alive? Have me say hello to a boy?”
Harry
shook his head and checked something on his phone. “No. This is just confirming
that Connor knows you’re alive. We’ll start working on living life at the
fullest after school.”
I
groaned internally. I wouldn't be going along with any of this if he hadn't threatened me. Even with the blackmail--of sorts--hanging over my head I was
getting tired of this. He was wasting my Saturday, I’d done him a favor and
he’d used it to barge in on my private life. I was about to kick him out and
end whatever ridiculous relationship he was attempting to begin when I heard my
father’s brusque voice downstairs. “He’s home early…”I looked up at Harry and
made the first excuse I could think of. “ You've got to go. If he sees a boy in
my room…I don’t even know what’ll happen. You’ll have to go through the
window.”
The
threat sounded legitimate and Harry seemed quite concerned--perhaps a minute
earlier and it would have effectively gotten him out through my second story
window, but the yelling started before he was halfway there.
Of
course they’d start fighting the moment they saw each other. My mother was a
hopeless drunk and my father a potent narcissist. My father was gentle
physically so I was never worried that their fights would become a brawl--on
account of him. My mother was a different story, if she snapped she’d probably
seriously injure someone with her drunken violence.
I
watched Harry’s face as he listened to the ruckus downstairs. It had none of
the things I’d feared from my friends if they were to experience my home life.
There was no amusement and no disgust. Just the watery eyes of someone who
understood my pain.
He
disappeared out of my window and left me to my thoughts. Those eyes were burned
into my mind. They were capable of alternating between the vibrancy he’d
displayed earlier in the car and a perfect compassion. Playing along with his
game for a little while wouldn't be so bad would it? Just so I could figure him
out the same way he’d managed to unravel me. Yeah. I didn't really care about
all that learning to live and falling in love stuff but I owed him one for
being so perceptive.
Did he
think he was the only one who could figure a person out by observing their
behavior?
I
glanced at the full length mirror on my door. I didn't see anything
particularly pretty about myself, though others had disagreed with my
assessment in the past. Hazel eyes flecked with orange and dark brown hair. My
nose was a little too long in my opinion but my mother--in between her drunken
rages, during the sparse moments of maternal clarity--told me it lent itself
towards a dignified appearance.
I certainly hoped so. I had liked one guy for nearly all of
my high school experience. I probably should have approached him before he
became so obnoxiously popular. Now with the level of the girls surrounding him
I couldn't see myself having a chance. Harry would have to be a miracle worker.
I
caught myself. I didn't mind playing along with him but I was quite sure that
it would be foolish to put any faith into whatever little scheme was playing
out in his head. Doing so would just encourage his incorrigible behavior.
With
that my weekend dragged on and I slowly realized that time was moving so slowly
only because I couldn't wait to see him again come Monday. I rightfully blamed
my longing on what an odd person he was--my curiosity had been thoroughly
aroused.