Freefalling

1

She did it. She jumped. It was so surreal, so unexpected. He thought she was falling in slow motion.

It was a fifty-story drop. He knew she wasn't going to make it. The tears ran down his face. She was his best friend. Nobody knew him as well as she did.

He heard the splash. That was it. She was gone. He was alone. Alone on this old bridge. Alone in his thoughts. Alone for life.

He sat there with his knees tight to his chest. Crying. He was bawling. He knew she wasn't happy, but unaware of how depressed she really was. They're all like that; a fake smile with a death wish.

Tonight she got her wish. She was killed. She thought that was the best moment of her life. She died with a smile. She died at peace. Her free fall leading to her demise was the way she planned it.

He screamed. He yelled. He cursed. He blamed himself. He didn't realize sooner. He thought about joining her. He didn't, though.

The wind sent chills down his spine. He readjusted his jacket and walked to the side of the bridge. All he could do was look at the rushing water below. It was dark, an eerie type of dark, outside.

Another tear found its way down his cheek. Unnoticed, it rolled down the side of his face. It went to his chin and fell off. That tear went into the water with her.

He wandered the site until he found the right flower. She loved tulips. Red ones were her favorites, though. He wanted her to have one, even now that she's dead.

He found one on the side of the road nearby. He gently plucked the gem from the ground and brought it to the side of the bridge. He studied the tulip and clutched the stem in both hands, trying not to cry anymore. He pulled his fists in and whispered "I love you, too." He took the flower in his right palm and held it over the edge. He tilted his hand, admiring this bright red tulip one last time, then he opened his fist.

The flower fell in slow motion as well. He sat down in slow motion. The police car that arrived, rolled up in slow motion. The officer walked over in slow motion. The officer was speaking in slow motion.

"Are you okay, kid?"

"No, no, no. S-sh-she's dead."

"What? Who's dead? What happened?"

He couldn't answer the officer. He started to cry again. He buried his face into his knees and said, "I loved her, sir. She jumped off the side of the bridge."

"Who did this?"

"She was my best friend." He looked up at the officer. "She was the only person who understood me. Not even my own parents know who I am, not like she knew."

"Can you give me a name? Of yourself or the girl?" He shook his head and looked longingly through the railings of the bridge. "Why not?"

"We haven't made our new identities, yet."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

He stood up and looked the police officer in the eyes."She wouldn't want me to spoil the surprise. Thanks for the chat, but I have to go." He ran to his car and drove away at an impressive speed for a used Subaru.