The Reason To Live

• CHAPTER TWO •

MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING [mentions of suicide, abuse, controlling and toxic relationships]

Kay's phone buzzed in her pocket she retrieved it, gazing at the dim screen displaying notifications from her Mom ten missed calls. Theo glanced at her phone "Are you going to call her back?" She nodded and answered the call.

"Sweetheart, where are you? Are you okay?" her panicked mother inquired. "Yeah, I'm fine," Kay replied. "Where are you? We've been worried sick. Jackson said you stormed out and were upset. I want to make sure you aren't trying to do anything like last time." Her mother continued.

"I'm okay now, but you can tell Jackson that we're over," Kay expressed in an agitated tone. "Okay, Kayla, when are you coming home?" She questioned. "I don't know yet; we'll see." Kay replied, Her mother, seemingly focused on other concerns "We need to ensure you don't hurt yourself again, especially with the press's watchful eye. We have to present a united front because it's going to be a busy week at the restaurant." Kay's mom said.

Kay's frustration reached a boiling point as tears welled up in her eyes. "Is that all you care about? What about me, your daughter who is fighting for the will to live? All you care about is what the press will think? You're unbelievable, Mom," Kay managed to choke out her final words before breaking down into a fit of uncontrollable rage that eventually transformed into tears.

Theo sat beside her, wrapping her arms around him. Kayla was typically closed off, so her openness with this stranger confused her. Perhaps it was because he had saved her from jumping, or maybe she didn't feel judged by him; she trusted him. She buried her head into his shoulder, and Theo comforted her with soft words. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here," he whispered.

" I can't do this anymore," she sobbed. Theo gently lifted her chin to make eye contact and reassured her, "Look at me, you can do this. I promise you can. You just need to find the reason." Kayla nodded in acknowledgment.

Theo could see that she needed help, and he was determined to provide it. Holding her, he tried to calm her down, and as she pulled away, "Sorry," Kayla said. "Look at me. You have nothing to be sorry for. You don't deserve this at all." Theo answered. Kay gazed at him, her eyes reflecting her pain.

Theo's primary motivation had always been to take away others' pain, to save people who didn't deserve their suffering. When he had found Kayla on that bridge, his heart had skipped a beat. He realized that if he hadn't found her, she might not be here now, and he might have received a call to investigate her death. He might have had to notify her family, inform her boyfriend, and handle the emotional aftermath. Theo had learned to keep his emotions in check at work, but there had been a time when they had almost gotten the best of him. He couldn't let that happen again; he had to show strength.

"Kayla?" Theo said, gently tapping her on the shoulder. "Yeah," she replied, her leg shaking, the haunting memory of that phone call playing in her mind on repeat.

"Shall we make that list now?" Theo asked, trying to bring her some peace. "Okay," she replied softly. Tears still streamed down her face, but Theo's presence offered comfort. Kay deeply appreciates him; he had saved her. Sometimes, everyone needs someone to come to their rescue, and that's what Theo had done for Kay, even though they had known each other for only a few hours. Somehow, she felt safe with him, perhaps due to his kindness or his reassuring smile. She couldn't be sure.

THE REASON TO LIVE
• Watch the sunset and rise at the same place with someone
• Learn how to play chess
• stargaze
• go on a road trip
• cook a meal with some one
• go for a walk in the woods
• start to find a passion
• kiss a girl
• read for twenty four hours with someone
• travel
• have a picnic
• go to a museum
• go ice skating
• go to the beach
• go on a run
• perform at an open mic night
• go bowling
• kiss a random person
• make new friends