FIGHTER ; Robin Arellano

1

TW: SUICIDE ATTEMPT, MENTION OF LOVED ONE'S DEATH

Song: The Night We Met- Lord Huron

"DON'T DO IT."

Jade Blake stood shaking on the edge of the bridge, staring down at the freezing November water. She was about to jump, but was taken back by a voice coming from behind her telling her not to.

She turned around to see a boy in her grade, Robin Arellano, standing in the middle of the bridge, alerted by her almost attempt.

"You can't stop me," she says, her lip quivering. "You don't—"

"— I don't know what you're going through? You're absolutely right. Tell me what's the matter."

Robin joined her on the railing of the bridge, taking off his leather jacket and putting it over her back. He sat down, nodding for Jade to do the same. She did so, sliding her arms into his brown coat. The inside was cotton, and awfully warm.

And she told him everything. From her mothers suicide — to her father's abuse.

"I just miss my mother. I want to be with her."

Jade sniffed, squeezing her eyes shut as the mascara poured down her cheeks as she sobbed.

The boy next to her put his right hand over her left hand. "You're living for her, Jade. Don't do that to yourself."

They spoke for roughly an hour, Jade spilling her trauma all on Robin, with him listening with the occasional nod.

"Thank— thank you." She said as they said their goodbyes.

"Anytime. Hey, I'll see you at school in a week. Okay?"

Jade smiled, the last of her tears dropping from her eyelids. Robin lifted his hand, wiping them off her face. His thumb rubbed her tears, as well as the ne disappearing mascara.

Her dark brown eyes glimmered at the action. When he dropped his arm, Jade pushed herself forward, hugging him tightly.

It was now a year later. Jade had worn the brown leather jacket Robin gifted her everywhere. In class, on a bike ride with her new friend, the movie theaters — everywhere.

Over the winter they had become the best of friends. When Jade and her brother, Finney would get picked on, Robin was quick to retaliate on the bullies.

That's what had just happened minutes ago. Jade and Finney ran into the boy's bathroom — Jade ignoring the "rules" not to do so as a female, hiding in the last stall of the quiet restroom.

Silence, except for the incoming footsteps.

Finney was squatting down on the toilet, and Jade's back was leaned against one side of the stall door, her feet on the other. She had hoisted herself up, hiding her feet from eye's view.

"Hey guys," one of the bullies — Matty, said. The door closed.

"Come on out, dick weeds," he told the twins.

The tallest of the trio, Tyler added another insult as well. "You're not fooling anyone.. you noids."

Jade jumped down from her spot, opening the door with a click, Finney following after her. She grabbed her brother's hand, standing inches in front of him.

The boys grinned. "What are you doing in our bathroom? Huh?" Matty said.

The other boy, Ralph pointed to the door. "See the sign? It says boys."

"Yeah boys. Not weak girls and fags." Tyler told the duo.

But before they could finish, another person entered the bathroom. Jade snapped her eyes at the intruder. It was Robin, staring intensely at the bullies.