Just Jump

Chapter Two

“Justin?” The name burst from my mouth in a shocked rush of syllables. I stared at the teenager in front of me: shaggy blonde hair, broad build, and those beautiful blue eyes I had missed so much. Justin. It had to be him.

He smiled at me, showing his teeth in the famous flash that always used to get him out of trouble.

“Oh my gosh,” I said. “You’re alive!” The words sounded stupid the moment they came from my mouth. Why hadn’t I said what I had been dying to say for years? That I loved him, that I missed him, that all I wanted was to just hug him again. As this last thought came to me, I took a step toward him with my arm spread wide, ready for an embrace.

His smile instantly disappeared. He took a step back and shook his head.

I faltered in my steps, and slowly lowered my arms. “Justin, it’s me,” I said. “It’s your sister.”

He swallowed, and his expression suddenly became one of anxiety. He looked around for a moment, and then his eyes settled on something to his right. I turned my head to follow his gaze, and my eyebrows jumped up on my forehead as I found myself confronted by the hulking structure of Newbury Bridge.

Justin pointed to the top of the arching bridge, his expression grim. He then turned back to face me, his eyes trying to communicate a silent message

“I… I don’t get it,” I said with a shake of my head.

“Allie,” Justin said, his finger still pointing to the bridge. “Just jump.”