Chapter Text
Sasha had never feared heights - in fact, she enjoyed the rush that came with being up high. It felt like she was the queen of a vast kingdom, and she ruled over all she saw.
But now, with a street far below and tears streaming from her eyes, she realized just how terrifying heights were.
She’d never even known her biological father; he’d left when she was a couple of months old. But then her mother met Tom, and he was the best thing that ever happened to her. He paid attention to her when no one else in the house did, and while he was more strict than her mom, maybe that was okay sometimes.
She shouldn’t have turned him away when he first came into her life. He was the dad she never had.
And now he was gone.
Raindrops batted her face, collecting on her eyelashes and making her squint to see correctly. It was so windy up here.
I wonder if anyone will notice that I’m gone, she thought, with the half of her that hadn’t completely shut down. I doubt Rachel will care. She’ll just call dibs on all my stuff. Luke might find out about it, but would he miss me? No way.
Won’t Anne and Marcy miss you?
Sasha pushed that thought aside. They were better off without her. She didn’t deserve them.
“Sasha, wait!”
Shit. Fuck fuck fuck shit.
She didn’t turn around to face Anne.
“What are you doing?” So Marcy was here too. Peachy.
“What the Hell do you care?” Sasha snapped back.
“We were worried about you!” Anne cried back. “We went to visit after school, but you weren’t home. Your sister said you left a little earlier with an excuse about shopping.” The brunette hesitated. “She seemed worried about you.”
“Sasha, don’t do this, please!” Marcy begged. Sasha couldn’t see either of their faces, but she didn’t have to. The blonde carefully turned around, hoping that the tears staining her cheeks would be mistaken for raindrops.
“Sash, think for a second - how would everyone react if they lost someone else? This won’t fix anything!” Anne’s hands balled into fists.
Marcy took a step forward but recoiled when Sasha flinched. “Come back to us, Sash. This isn’t the answer.”
The wind picked up, whipping Sasha’s hair in her face. She narrowed her eyes. “Do you really think anyone back home will care that I’m gone?”
“Yes!” both girls yelled at once. “And what about us? Were you just going to jump off of a building without looking back?” Marcy added.
Sasha frowned, glancing at the edge again. “You’re better off without me. I’m hardly a good friend.”
“You two are the best friends I’ve ever had, Sash!” Anne begged. “Please, don’t do this. Come home with us.”
She looked from the ground below to her friends. They just want you around to protect them from bullies because they’re both a couple of wimps who can’t stand up for themselves.
And that train of thought only made her feel worse.
Marcy’s knuckles went white as she squeezed Anne’s hand. Anne stared Sasha in the eyes.
“Please.”
Sasha took a step forward. Away from the edge. Towards her friends.
Then she took another step. And another. The moment she was a safe distance away from the corner of the building, Sasha’s best friends ran to her, hiccuping sobs erupting from both of them.
“I thought we were gonna lose you,” Marcy mumbled in between her tears.
“Come on. Let’s get dried off,” Anne took Sasha’s left hand, a shuddering breath leaving her lungs. Marcy clung to Sasha’s right arm, spreading comforting warmth up through the blonde’s body.
“Thanks, you guys,” Sasha murmured. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Sash,” Anne replied.
“We’re just glad you’re okay,” Marcy added. Sasha closed her eyes with a smile.
“I’m glad, too.”
I might not deserve you guys, but I’m going to at least try to be someone who does.