|Leigha's POV|
I stand on the bridge and stare down at the sparkling water. It looks cold, but so welcoming. It looks like freedom—like peace. I close my eyes tightly and take a deep breath. I grip onto the railing tightly.
Is this really what I want? Do I really want to just give up like this? I know it hurts, but it has to get better. Doesn't it? There's always a ray of hope. Isn't there?
Little Leigha lost her hope so long ago. A six year relationship with a man who only uses me. I'm a toy that gets tossed aside when he's bored. I just wanted to feel wanted. That's all I've ever wished for. That night, she had made me feel like the only person in the world. She treated me like a goddess. I felt loved—needed—accepted.
"Stupid. You're so stupid, Leigha." I whisper as I swallow hard. Tears trail down my face while the dark of night shields my sins from the rest of the world.
I climb up onto the railing and hold tightly onto the same poles I had a few years back. I hadn't wanted to go this way. I wanted to go on my own terms. I wanted to be the one who caused my own pain. I wanted to cut just a little too deep just once, but it never worked. I just couldn't get it right.
I was thinking about a building. I could jump from the rooftop and I know it's be over quick, but I couldn't make so many innocent people watch me kill myself. I'd rather do it on my own with no one to watch. I want to be dead and gone before anyone notices I'm missing.
"Stupid asshole. He's such a pig." A strange girl with pale orange hair mumbles to herself as she stuffs her hands in her pockets behind me.
I pray she doesn't notice me. If she does, she'll probably make a big scene. I can't handle a big scene right now. I can't even handle a small scene.
"Is there room for another up there?" She questions as she stands beside me. She looks up at me.
I glance down at her anxiously. Without much thought, I step down and lower my head. Today's not the day. I don't think any day will be, but I can keep hoping, can't I?
"Do you want to go get a drink together? I'll pay." She asks softly as she looks me up and down.
"I guess." I nod weakly as she takes her jacket off and wraps it around my arms.
"Is it a guy? Did some asshole do this to you?" The girl asks softly as she rubs at my arms in attempt to warm me up.
"I mean—yes and no." I lower my head as I slowly begin to trust a stranger to help fix my problems.
"Guys are assholes. Who needs 'em? I'm kicking mine to the curb. He doesn't deserve me. I'm sure whatever guy upset you doesn't deserve you either." She rests her head on my shoulder and leads me toward a small café.
When she said drink, I assumed alcohol, but I should've known better. She clearly wants to help me, so why would she get me drunk?
"What would you like?" She asks calmly as I slide into one of the booths.
"Just a hot chocolate or something." I mumble as I set my bag on the table and begin searching through it for my phone.
"I'll be right back, don't move." She smiles brightly before hurrying toward the counter to order our drinks.
I unlock my phone and scroll through the dozens of texts. They're all about how it's past curfew. I should've been home two hours ago. Apparently, he locked the door and isn't waiting for me. Honestly, I'm kind of glad. I don't want him to wait for me anymore. I don't want him to be there when I go to sleep or when I wake up. I don't want anyone there, not even me.
"Here ya go." The kind girl sets a mug down in front of me. She sits across from me and looks up at me.
"Thanks." I hesitantly pick it up and take a sip.
"I'm ChaeRyeong." She states casually as she holds her own drink in her hands in attempt to warm them.
"Leigha." I mumble as I stare down at my lap. I can't look her in the eye after what she saw. She saw me moments from taking my own life. That's not something a stranger should see—no one should see it.
"I like that. It's a pretty name." ChaeRyeong reaches out to place her hand on my arm.
"Thanks." I swallow hard as I glance out the window beside us. It's so dark. I was really hoping the darkness would shield me. I wanted it to be the blanket that fell over me as I let the water fill my lungs.
"Do you wanna talk about it? About what happened? You don't have to if you don't want to—do you have a place to stay? You can stay with me if you need to." ChaeRyeong offers kindly as she follows my gaze out the window.
"Not yet. At least not here. I wouldn't mind a place to stay though. I don't want to go home." I shrug as I take a shaky breath. I set my mug down and slip my phone into my bag.
"My door is wide open. I only have one bed, but it's big enough for the both of us. I can even sleep on the couch." ChaeRyeong smiles as she shivers.
"I'm sorry. Here's your coat. I don't need it." I quickly try and hand it back, but she brushes me off.
"You wear it. My place isn't that far. You need it more than me." ChaeRyeong insists as she gets to her feet. She holds her hand out for mine and I hesitantly take it. She helps me to my feet and leads me toward the door.
"Are you sure it's alright if I stay with you? I don't want to be a pain." I mumble as I slowly follow behind her.
"Of course. I'd prefer not to be alone tonight, I'm sure you would, too." She glances over her shoulder at me with bright eyes.