Bad Boys Don't Smile - Alternate Ending

chapter nineteen

Please don't read this unless you've read phanci's original story. This is entirely hers. I just wanted a different ending to her beautiful story. Enjoy. 

(The beginning italicized portion is phanci's writing. Where the italics stop is where my writing begins.)

Dan walks out of the front door soundlessly. The rain instantly soaks his jacket, jeans and shoes but that's okay. Ten minutes later, Dan is truly soaked to the bone, but he's here now.

He leans over the edge of the railing, looking down at the churning river below. It's usually pretty calm, but the storm has made it into a deadly current. Dan steps up and over the railing, a step from death, his fingers frozen to the cold, wet rails.

It's true, the closer you are to death the more alive you feel. Dan's heart is beating so quickly in his chest, his body is filled with every emotion possible.

He's ready, he wants this.

Dan closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, thinking of every moment he's felt happy, every moment which has made his life worthwhile. With those memories filling him up, Dan smiles and opens his eyes, looking down at the water.

He's not afraid.

He leans forwards, ready to fall.

Someone catches his wrist, anchoring him to the railing. He turns in surprise, staring at the pale hand gripping his wrist. Dan turns, slowly, to see who caught him.

"Phil," Dan says.

"I'm not letting you do this, Dan," Phil says, his voice wavering. He's completely soaked, wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and jeans.

"Let go of me Phil," Dan says sharply. He didn't want it to go like this. His family has the letter, Phil has the notebook, all that was left was for him to jump. A nice, clean end to his miserable life.

"Only if you promise not to jump," Phil's shaking now. Dan can't tell whether it's from the cold or the fear.

"Just go home Phil!" Dan shouts. He tries to pull his wrist free, but Phil has a grip like a vise.

"No!" Phil shouts defiantly, "I'm not leaving without you! There are people here who need you!"

"No one needs me," Dan says quietly. The river churns dangerously below them.

"What about Shawn? He needs you. You're his brother." Phil replies, his grip on Dan loosening slightly. Dan takes the opportunity to yank his arm free.

"Shawn will be fine. Our mother will take care of him. She's better now." He says. Dan turns his head towards the water. It felt like the river was calling to him.

"What about me?" Phil cries, tears in his eyes, "I need you Dan!"

"Phil, the happiest moment of my life was when I saved you. And I'm so glad that I did. I'm so happy that I got to know you. I've spent my entire life in darkness. Being with you was like standing in the sun for the first time." Dan says, tearing up now too, "I love you Phil. Remember that." He closes his eyes. It's time.

Dan shifts backwards, ready to drop into the churning depths of the river.

"No!" screams Phil, rushing forward. He wraps his arms around Dan's chest and fights to keep him standing.

"Phil..."

"I love you Dan. I'm not letting you go until you climb back over that railing." Phil says, "You are not leaving me!"

"Let me go Phil. I'm a fucking mess," Dan says softly, "and I can't take you down with me."

"I don't care! You're my mess. My perfect, amazing, beautiful mess and I'm not just going to let you kill yourself and abandon me like my sister did!" Phil sobs into Dan's shoulder. Dan is stunned. No one has ever really cared about him. No one has ever told him he was perfect. No one has ever risked their life for him.

Except for Phil.

"If you have to jump, I'm coming with you." Phil says, still in tears. He looks up at Dan. Dan's eyes widen. He won't let Phil get hurt because of him.

"Please Dan," Phil whispers now.

"Okay," Dan's reply is barely heard over the storm. Phil holds his arm as he carefully slides back over the slick railing. Once Dan's safely back on the bridge, Phil wraps his arms around him. Dan's safe. Without pausing, he presses his mouth to Dan's. Just for a moment, long enough to make his heart race.

"I'm taking you to my house," Phil says, not letting go of Dan as they walk. Dan's cold and exhausted, and he doesn't argue.