Ten Days | Completed

prologue

My breath hitched in my throat as I looked down at the city below me. Despite it being nearly two in the morning, cars drove past the many buildings that were towering into the sky.

I realized just how quickly I would die from the impact of hitting the ground and took a deep breath, letting one foot hover over the edge of the building.

Just jump, I told myself. It'll be quick. Maybe not painless, but quick.

Another tear slipped down my cheek and I let my eyes flutter closed, taking another deep breath. The cool air stung my skin, but I could barely feel it.

I can do this. Just one step forward and this will all be over.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

My eyes shot open at the sound of someone's voice and I stumbled a little. A hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me away from the edge and into their chest. The first thing I noticed was that they smelt strongly of vanilla and cinnamon. Then I realized that I didn't know this person, and they had just stopped me from jumping.

They had stopped me from doing the one thing I was actually looking forward to-ending it.

"Get off of me!" I exclaimed, pushing away from them. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" The guy asked, disbelief lacing his tone. "You're the one that was just about to jump off the top of a fucking building!"

I didn't respond, using the back of my hand to wipe the tears off of my face.

"Can you just go?" I asked, my voice cracking in the process.

"And leave you up here to kill yourself?" He questioned, "Not gonna happen."

I finally looked up to meet his eyes, studying his face. In the glow from the lights of the city, I could see that he had blonde hair-which was a mess on top of his head-, and blue eyes. His expression showed concern, with a hint of anger.

"Why do you even care? You don't know me." I said, turning away from him to look out at the city.

I was so close and this idiot had to come and ruin it. Why can't something just go right in my life?

"Just because I don't know you doesn't mean that I should let you kill yourself." He said. I turned back to him, crossing my arms over my chest. He ran his hand through his messy hair and sighed, "Give me ten days."

"Ten days?" I repeated and he nodded. "For what?"

"Ten days to try and get you to stay alive."

I raised a brow and scoffed, "Do you really think it's that easy? God, you're pathetic."

Did he really think that he-a complete stranger-could convince me not to kill myself in only ten days? Ten days.

"At least let me try." He said. "Let me show you how amazing life can be. And if you still want to kill yourself after these ten days, then I won't stop you-as long as I know that I tried."

"We don't even know each other." I replied, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

A soft smile appeared on his lips and he held his hand out to me. "I'm Isaac Thompson."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"It's rude to not introduce yourself, you know." He said.

This is ridiculous.

I sighed, reaching out and shaking his hand, "I'm Jessica Daniels."

His small smile broke out into a full on grin, "So do we have a deal?"

"We have a deal." I confirmed, reluctantly.