It was a cold November night in New York City. He leans into the barrier, looking at the city lights just below him, the cars almost invisible only if they weren't moving.Has it always been this high? , he thought to himself, inhaling the last inch of his cigarette before flicking it to the air, watching the faint flame fall and disappear.He wonders what it would be like to disappear like that. Would it be quick? Painless? Would he feel anything at all?Does he want to know?His hand reaches for another cigarette in his pocket, only to grab his phone by mistake, the same phone that's been going off for the past 30 minutes. He hesitates for a second before he turns it on, the bright screen revealing the 8 missed calls and 12 messages he's been ignoring. A sigh escaped his cold lips as he read the last message he received.Srsly dude where dafuq r u? Ur mom is getting pissed."Of course she is," he muttered to himself. That never really surprised him. She was always mad. With or without reason. And tonight was no different.His eyes shifted to the top right corner of the screen, reminding him how long he's been waiting.11:53 PMThat's 7 more minutes before midnight.Can he wait for 7 more minutes?He looks back down, the cars reminding him of how high the building was. Just looking down made him question if this was what he wanted... if it would change anything. One thing's for sure, he wished for another cig. That might calm his nerves.Or change his mind..."I've always been jealous of your ass."A familiar voice interrupts the silence, his head dropping as he releases a big sigh when he realizes who it is, not even looking behind him to confirm this."What are you doing here, Rox?"He turns his head to the side, seeing a hooded girl already beside him, her hands tucked inside her hoodie's pockets, and her back leaning on the railing. She pulls her hoodie down, revealing her white platinum hair and piercing blue eyes, looking at him with a glint of curiosity and..... worry? He wasn't quite sure. Though, she was always hard to read."Shouldn't I be asking that?" Rox asks, her arms now out of her pockets, resting both her elbows on the barrier. "I had to look for your stupid ass."He looks back down at the moving cars, hiding what seems to be a faint smile on his face. As much as he denies it, deep down, he knew he liked the thought of someone who cared enough to look for him, cause almost nobody bothered to.She's probably the only one."Well, I don't think it's anybody's business where I'm going.""Yeah right," she spat, "Just admit that you're glad I'm here, Leon."She's right. He is. But he'd never tell her that."How did you find me anyway?""Why does it matter? I found you, didn't I?" Rox pauses, a proud smug on her face as she approaches his, saying in a whisper-like tone "I always find you."He smirked in response, daring to get inches closer, which didn't seem to falter her as she didn't move an inch. But her eyes say differently, eyelids widening just a bit to her surprise from his sudden confidence. "Well you found me," he whispers back, "Now what?"Despite the lack of emotion on her face, he could tell she was taken aback. Her reaction was the best part, in his opinion, mainly because it's always subtle. A vague hint from her stone-cold expression, that if you don't look close enough, you'd miss it. Like the faint flush on her pale-like cheeks, or the ragged breath that she's trying to control. How her eyes dilate when he meets her eyes with his. And her lips — slightly parted, warm, welcoming... tempting.They froze in that position for a few seconds, near enough to observe the smallest details but not quite close enough to have the guts to narrow the space between. It wasn't long until Rox scoffed, breaking whatever tension was forming between them."Feeling bold, are we?" she says, snapping him back before she could shove a tiny black box to his face, "You're lucky it's your birthday."Leon grabs the box and pauses for a moment. "I didn't know you remembered.""Psh," Rox rolls her eyes, "Don't get too sentimental on me, it's gross. Just open it."He opens his mouth, another teasing remark about to come out, only to stop himself and smile. He didn't think Rox would be the type to give anyone gifts, despite meeting her years ago in a bar— his bar."Really? A scotch glass? Dude, you've gotta stop stealing from my bar-""Turn it around, idiot."He gave her a perplexed look but turned the glass as instructed, and there, written in what seemed like a black sharpie---To Leon, Make every night legendary. Best, NPH"No way... is this Neil Patrick Harris? THE Barney Stinson?" Leon blurts out, turning to the blonde and scoffing in disbelief. "How the fuck did you get him to sign this?!"Rox chuckles, a smirk playing on her lips. "I have my ways."
Leon shakes his head in amazement, staring at the signature as if it were a treasure. "This is unreal. Thank you, Rox. Seriously."
She shrugs nonchalantly, but the corners of her lips betray a hint of satisfaction. "Don't mention it. Just don't go telling everyone I have a soft spot for you or anything."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Leon replies, slipping the glass carefully back into its box. "But seriously, how did you manage this?"
Rox expression turns slightly more serious. "Let's just say I know a guy who knows a guy. And leave it at that."
Leon nods, deciding not to press further. Rox has always been mysterious about her connections and her past. She's been that way since they met.
"Damn, this place... didn't think I'd find you here," she says as he sighs in response. The memory of them being in that rooftop was something they decided never to talk about.
Until tonight."You're going to jump, aren't you?"The question froze him on spot, his mind flashing back to that night years ago. The same rooftop, a different season.Back then, the autumn air was as heavy. He'd come up here for a midnight smoke, thinking he'd be alone, only to find her. Rox, with her platinum hair catching in the streetlight, balanced at the edge, looking out at the city below like it held some answer she was trying to find.That night, she was just a stranger. A strange girl on the edge of nothingness.
"Don't try to stop me," she'd said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm not trying to stop you," he replied, though his voice betrayed him with a slight tremor. "Just...don't jump until you've heard about my stupid day first. Deal?"She'd shot him a look, the kind that dared him to turn away. But he didn't, just started rambling about his boss, the Mets, the heat, anything and everything to fill the silence. The most mundane things. And slowly, her feet backed away from the ledge.That night, she'd let him take her hand, pulling her back to safety."Looks like we've come full circle," he mutters, returning to the present and glancing at her. "Only this time, you're the one pulling me back."Rox lets out a soft laugh, but there's no humor in it. "Guess that makes us even, doesn't it?" She nudges him with her shoulder, her expression softening. "We never talked about that night. You never asked why.""Didn't have to," he says quietly. "I figured you'd tell me if you wanted to."Rox's gaze drifts downward, her fingers tracing the cold metal of the railing. "Funny thing, though," she murmurs, "I don't even remember what I was running from that night. But I do remember you."The words hang between them, and for a moment, the city's noise fades into the background. Rox reaches into her pocket and pulls out a cigarette. She lights it with practiced ease, then hands it to him. He takes it, inhaling deeply, his eyes far away.After a beat, she speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Promise me something, though. Promise me you'll always find a reason to step back from the edge."He meets her gaze, and for the first time, he sees something raw, unguarded in her. She's asking him for more than a promise—she's asking him to hold on... on whatever little faith is left."I promise," he says, the words soft but steady.And there, in the quiet of that rooftop, it feels like they're both pulling each other back from the edge. Yet, somewhere in the back of his mind, a small, stubborn voice still calls him forward, still strong enough to make him look below and wonder.But for now, with Rox beside him, he chooses to ignore it.At least, he thinks he can.