Chapter Text
Drew ran as fast as he could away from his home, holding back tears. He began to slow down from dizziness and still kept his arm sleeve up to his face.
Drew couldn’t take how life had been lately. He was so sick of everything; his family, fake people using him for money, and all the loneliness that came with it.
Drew slowly approached a bridge that he, Liam, and Henry used to hang out at all the time. He let out a shaky breath as he leaned on the railing, using one hand for support.
“Liam, Henry I’m so sorry for this,” Drew said as he got up on the railing. “Maybe it’s just better without me anyway.” Drew said in a low whisper.
Though Drew was not feeling this was for no reason.
He had many reasons, for example his poor relationship with his mother, and how she cares more about money than her own son. Drew couldn't talk to his father, because frankly he was never there. Liam and Henry were his best friends, but lately Drew had been treating them badly because of all the things going on in his life.
Drew looked down at the stream below, as the wind blew. He wondered would anyone even miss me?
Drew wasn’t one to run away from his problems, more like trying to find a solution.
He couldn't stop thinking about what just happened at his house. He still felt the sting.
What happened at Drew's house some might wonder? Well Moments before he ran away crying so hard he could barely breathe.Drew's mother was having dinner with him, before she said,
"Andrew I don't like those people you hang around with, the green one and the weird one with an interesting style."
Drew was silent for a moment; he knew what this would lead to. Never seeing them again, he couldn’t even bare the thought.
Drew let out a short breath before responding to his mother.
"Mom, I don't mean to be.. disrespectful, but they care about me."
"I don't care, I am your mother and I know what's right."
Drew started getting more angry. "Well mom, I don't know anyone else." Drew explained through clenched teeth.
"I understand, but I don't like them. Until they change they are not allowed in this house"
"Why, because they're not like you?" Drew snaps back. He would usually take in anything bad his mother says, but this time it's different, it's about the people he cares about.
"Watch it Andrew! Don't think you can talk to me like that!”
"You don't like ANYONE God! I'm so sick of you telling me who I can and cannot like! You call yourself a mother yet you don't act like one! When you want to be a real mother, come find me. Other than that, take your dumb request and shove it up your ass!!" Drew says as he pushed his chair back and stood up. He started walking towards the door, before a glass came down right on Drew's face.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU??" Drew said, his voice cracking. He looked at his hand, his vision blurring.
He saw the look on his mothers face just before running out. A mix of fear and satisfaction.
As Drew replayed what happened his eyes started to sting. Hot tears began rolling down his face. Usually Drew would never do that in front of anyone. Because his mother taught him boys don’t cry.
Drew let out a sigh and looked down again. Finally he looked up.
The bright lights of the city reflecting off his tan skin, his tears glistening as they stream down his face. And the wind slowly blowing him forward. “I never realized how pretty Rose Meadow is.” Drew whispered.
He let out a breath before he was ready to step,
Off.
The.
Edge.
_______________
Drew could feel himself slipping away, before he was pulled back into reality.
Woosh
Drew fell back hitting someone before landing on the road.
“Oh my god are you okay!??” A voice came behind him. Drew sat there unable to move. Who helped him? And.. why?
Drew turned his face to see a boy with blonde hair and faded pink tips. His big brown eyes looked at Drew with concern. It took him a moment to realize what happened.
A random boy who Drew did not know just grabbed his waste and stopped him from jumping. Saving him from death and giving him another chance. Also taking Drew a second to realize he was sitting on top of the boy. Drew quickly backed away and asked, “why did you do that?”
The boy’s eyebrows shot up “what do mean ‘why did I do that’? You were going to freaking die!”
Drew didn’t want to argue so he just sighed and turned away. The boy's eyes softened, understanding that Drew didn’t want to talk about it. So he said “well, I was just about to go to the park. Umm wanna come?”
Drew was surprised to hear that. He turned to face the boy.
“I suppose, if it’s not a problem” and Drew turned back to the boy. The boy gasped out his hands to his mouth. “Oh my god you're bleeding!” Quickly the boy rushed to Drew’s face, holding him slightly. “We need to clean that up, it will get infected!!” Drew backed away putting his sleeve on his face. “I’m fine.”
Concerned the boy stated “No you're not. Let me just clean it for you okay? Then we can go to the park. I don’t want you to get dizzy or pass out.”
Drew couldn’t think straight, his mind was racing and he was getting very dizzy, so he agreed. “Fine, but you're not taking me anywhere till I know your name.” Surprised, the boy smiled “I should have said it sooner, I’m Jake! Jake sterling.”
“Okay Jake, how do you expect to help me with this?”
Jake smiled “glad you asked, there’s a gas station up the road. I’ll get supplies and clean you up!” Drew felt guilty putting this on a person who just happened to pass by and had to take care of him. Before Drew could apologize Jake grabbed him by the hand and dragged him along.
_____________
Jake came out with bandages and a first aid kit. Running towards Drew who was sitting on the curb, holding a sleeve to his eye just like before.
Jake pulled his hand away, taking out a cloth and wiping Drew’s face.
“Soo, um I didn’t get your name” Jake says while he wipes Drew's face.
“It’s Andrew but no one really calls me that. So Drew.” Jake smiled “that’s a nice name” Drew mumbled in agreement. There wasn’t any tension in the air or anything but Jake kept trying to start up a new conversation.
“Do you still want to go to the park? It is late and my mom wants me home soon. But we can still go there for a while.”
Drew nodded “I want to go, if you leave then that’s fine. But um before now I never realized how pretty Rose Meadow is.”
Jake frowned, “I’m sorry if this is a tough topic, but.. why were you trying to jump?”
Drew’s eyes widen slightly, “you wouldn’t understand. I don’t want to trouble you either.”
Jake looked at him furrowing his eyebrows a bit, “it’s not a trouble at all, just it seemed like you need to talk to someone..”
Drew was surprised, no one really considered caring about his feelings. “You, um sure?”
Jake smiled, then he applied gauze on Drew’s head. “Of course I’m sure, everyone needs someone right?”
Surprised, Drew smiled and nodded. “Yeah I guess they do.” Jake finished wrapping a bandage around Drew’s head and pulled away. “Soo, are you feeling alright for a walk? You can tell me about what’s bothering you.”
Drew nodded “yeah okay.” So Jake stood up and put a hand out for Drew.
Wow Drew thought to himself. He had met many different people but no one liked him. Jake was so different, but Drew liked that about him. They say some people come into your life for a reason, though Drew never really believed that. Until now, looking up at Jake trying to give him a hand. He never felt more cared for and alone.
Drew took his hand and lifted himself off the ground. “Thanks,” Drew mumbled.
As they walked through the park, Drew explained what had just happened in his house before Jake found him. “Wow, Drew I’m so sorry.” Jake said with genuine concern on his face, “honestly it’s whatever but I definitely can’t go home. Maybe I’ll go to Henry’s or Liam’s.” Drew says, pulling out his phone.
They continue to walk and Jake pulls him towards a bench. They sit down and Jake says “you can stay at my place, if you’d like.” Jake turns his head to Drew and gives him a smile.
Drew’s eyebrows shoot up, and before he can say anything Jake interrupts , “only if you want to that is— I mean I know you don’t know me— and I might kidnap you— not that I am—. ahh you know what I mean” Jake says panicking.
Drew bursts out laughing, “haha your fine Jake, I know what you mean” Jake lets out a sigh of relief. “And yea if ur parents are cool with it” Jake smiles, “Awesome! A sleepover!” Jake says, jumping up. “And and and, since we don’t have school we can stay up all night!— that is unless you're tired.” Drew chuckles, putting his sleeve up to his face. “No, I'm fine, I usually stay up late anyway.”
Jake’s phone buzzes and he checks to see it’s his mom. “Oh, she wants us home.” Drew stands up and follows Jake out the park.
Drew is honestly surprised anyone can be this generous. But Jake doesn’t really know him yet, or at least not well enough. He doesn’t know that Drew gets bad nightmares, and can’t sleep at all. Or how Drew has this habit of pulling on his hair when he’s stressed. Or the fact he knows his mom will call the police if he’s out too long, and that he forgot his phone at home.