How To Save A Life

The City

 “Then, how do you know you’re going to see her again?”  Mike stared at Randy, his face hard to read.

                He was silent until the train thundered into the tunnel. People pushed past him to board it and exit towards the city.

                “I just know. She said so.” He replied finally as they both boarded the crowded train seconds before it pulled away.

                “So…. She was really going to jump?”  Randy bit his lip as he looked out the windows at the darkness and held on tight to the cold metal bar above his head. He didn’t know If he was asking too much. He was sure he wasn’t when Mike answered him.

                “Yes, she would have if I wasn’t there.” He said in a whisper barely audible, looking down at his feet.

                Just then the train came to a halt and Mike and Randy hustled off with everyone else. They followed people to the left, up a flight of stairs that emptied out to the busy city sidewalk cloaked in sunshine.

                With just a sly grin between the two, they got back on their skateboards and did their best navigating through the streets.

                “HEY!” Someone shouted after them.

                “Watch it, bunch of hooligans.” Some old couple muttered together as they passed.

                The best thing in the morning was causing a lot of trouble.

                Not long after the boys were alone again. They were a town over from the home, closing in on their school.

                It stands out like a sore thumb, but in a good way unlike the home. It’s the most modern building in a ten mile radius. It’s only three stories, but every time Mike laid eyes on it, it reminded him of those fancy 3 tiered cakes.

                The design of the whole building really puzzled Mike. He stood on the opposite side of the road with Randy, who was studying the kids in the cars going by. How could the bottom floor be shorter than the two above it? It was truly a work of art.

                The majority of the bottom floor had just glass for walls. The whole bottom floor was the lockers for all the kids and the cafeteria. Mike found this a nice feature because all around them, surprisingly, were trees and nature, really anything but pavement and much indication of being in the city.

                The other two floors stuck out just slightly farther than the first floor. The size of them is enormous. All classes are on the two floors and there’s still many wall to floor length windows.

                Mike checked the time, 8:00. With a sideways look at Randy, the quickly skated across the street and into the school along with a crowd of teenage kids: actors, druggies, nerds, fashionistas, and the hopeless. It’s quite the school.

                Together Mike and Randy mindlessly made their way to the opposite side of the school to their lockers. Randy started up another conversation without success. He hit his friend on the arm.

                “Mike, what’s gotten into you? You literally haven’t heard a single ling said to you all morning.” Mike shook his head, finally realizing his surroundings. They came up to their lockers and quickly opened it with the combination.

                Mike was about to answer his friend when the band kids with they’re instruments came strutting down the hallway.Thank god they were made so wide, Mike thought to himself as he flatted himself against the cream, floor length locker. Many other kids mingled and walked down the stuffed hallway.

                Mike turned his attention back onto Randy, who threw his board into his locker.

                “Man, I’m sorry. My mind’s been wandering.”

                “Dude, you need to get this girl out of your head. You only know her name. You don’t know her story.”

                Mike rolled his eyes at his friend. “Well, when did you get so…”

                “Smart?” Randy questioned for him. Mike nodded as he shuffled through the trash building up, looking for his textbook. “Trust me man, love at first sight doesn’t exist. You’ll probably never see her again.” He slammed his locker shut and took his friend under his arm.

                “You need to focus man. Think about yourself, watch yourself. And your friends and family.” They walked down the halls in the direction of the café. Mike heard his stomach growl and longed for some decent food.

                “What family?” Mike questioned.

                “Mike, don’t start. What about Maci?” They entered the relatively short line and picked up some pancakes. They paid quickly and sat at a table near the window.

                “Have you already forgotten this morning?”