Towards the sunlight

Chapter I: Distant Person

"Alright class dismissed" The professor closed his textbook sending a cloud of dust into the air. The siren rang for the end of the day. Students filed out of the classrooms like ants trailing into their nests.Just walking out the door was a girl with chestnut colored hair, wearing jeans and agrey tank top. Relief rushed through her body as she packed her belongings and began to head out of class. In no rush to leave, she took her time making her way through the crowd not wanting to be trampled amongst the stampede. To her left, against the many varying colors of clothing she glimpsed a shag of black. A boy dressed in a black shirt and ripped jeans strolled passed with his head looming down, staring emptily at the floor as if it were a wonderous being that understood all that he was. Slowly he ran a hand through his dyed black hair in aspiration as he made his way down the hallway. After being knocked against several times his gaze at the floor remained unfazed. It was as if he was somewhere else. There in body but not in mind.

Typical. She followed him patiently in silence untilthey were in the safety of the shadows of his locker, before calling out to him. He mumbled before turning around, revealing his face.Riley.

"Hey" His speech was brief but it didn't ring with angst. "Let's go to the bridge tonight, yeah?"

"Hmm, sure but why?"

"No reason." Silence. Shoving handfuls of books into his locker, he emptied out his bag. "Just thought it'd be a nice place to hang out" Trailing off he turned to face her wearing a weak expression that could pass as a smile. She bursted into laughter, doubling over.

"You're getting there, Riley, you're getting there" She spoke through her stifled laughter, punching him playfully on the shoulder. "And sure, let's do that." A grin spread across her face. " You'll have to explain the missing assignments to the teachers tomorrow."

"Whatever" Regaining himselfand his cool uncaring attitude. “Let’s go" She spared him a glance before he walked off without waiting to see if she'd followed.

"Aww come on! I thought I just broke your ice" She whined, eager to get a response.

"You wish" Sighing, she gave in, skipping to his side and clinging to his arm like a small child, not caring about the implications it could bring.Beneath her grip he squirmed meekly, and then made no further effort to brush her off. Somehow, he wanted her there. Close enough. That's probably as far as she'd get for a while now. It's further than anyone else has. In the end she was his only friend.

He spoke of nothing more after those brief exchange of words. Nothing. He'd kept his silence and stared aimless through the window, all through the 50 minutes’ worth of bus trip they had had to take. Unlike him, she was not able to stay rigid, having checked her phone for the 58th time, glanced at strangers, fussed over her clothes, hair, everything. Growing irritated she pented out her anger pondering why she even bothers with him. Regretting her that thought instantly, she looked up at him as if to reassure herself that he’d have forgiven her if she’s said that. It’s not like he does it to torture her. She knew that. He would open up when they got there. It was just the way he was. The way he dealt with his world.

By the time they'd reach their stop, she was thoroughly convinced the cure for cancer was 42 and that when that day comes and the world establishes mutual peace the sky would have turned green. Unable to contain her silence any longer she spoke those exact thoughts of gibberish, earning a glance of concerned amusement. "Only, you could come up with such nonsense" Mock scowling at her hopeless ability or lack of ability to think philosophically.

With that it begun again, leaving her glad they weren’t in the bus anymore and that there were enough shops and advertisement to keep her mind from falling into the depths of incoherent-ness.

It was nightfall by the time they’d reached the bridge. Shadows casted by the mass of streetlights loomed in every corner. They sat beneath the bridge, letting the sounds of the traffic above engulf the silence. Uncertain the girl examined the grey metal railings, crisscrossing one another creating the solid foundations that could hold the tons of cars above. Hesitantly she glanced down before turning to face him directly. At the same time he mumbled in a gruffled tone. Setting his head back he stared into the sky, soaking it in for a second. Then he begun, shooting the gun without warning.

“Do you think it’s my fault he’s angry?” He spoke without clarity but she already knew what he was saying. She knew like he’d asked the same questions a million times. Like a textbook that’s been revised until it could be recited without a second thought.

“Of course it’s not your fault. He’s like that because he refuses to change. That has nothing to do with you.”

“You’ve told me that countless times. Yet…I find it hard to believe.” His gaze at the sky remained unwavering, he watched it intently as if questioning it.

“Does it bother you that much?”

“What do you think? You don’t get it. You don’t understand what it’s like to watch a man break down every night, cursing your name.” Anger built up in his voice as he spoke.

“He hit you again, didn’t he? That’s why you’re bringing this up, right?”

“Yeah”

“Just move out. You’ll be 18 in a week. Just pack your bags and go.”

“What if he dies?”

“What? That old man? You’re going to break before he dies. He’ll be fine. Angry but fine. You know that.” She waited patiently, but his response never came. Instead, he changed the subject.

“How are things with you and Mark? He’s taking good care of you?”

“Huh?” Obviously taken by surprise. “Yeah, he’s great. I’m so glad we got together.”

“That’s good. He’s voice rung in relief, as he retreated back into silence. Slowly he turned his head towards her, hoping she wasn’t still looking his way. Looking her up and down, he committed her to his memory, whilst she admired the city lights, small patches of color glowing above the black of the night.

“Hey. It’d be alright, you know?” Assurance and certainty shone abundantly in her voice.

“Sure” The words sounded fake coming out of his mouth, he’d thought so too, as he hoped she hadn’t noticed the slightly altered tone in his voice. He was a bad liar, but to his relief, she was too ignorant, trusting his words too much.

The two sat silhouetted in the moonlight for what seemed like eternity just talking and enjoying the comfort of each other’s company. Small exchanges of contact were made between them every once in a while leaving the two in laughter. Even Riley and his stoic face seemed to lighten. But as with all good things, time flew by too fast. Eight o’clock was among them before they’d even realized. The ringing of her cellphone signaled the pestering call from her parents. Curfew.

“Look, I’ve got to go. Sorry.” She got up apologetically. The wind hung in the air for a few seconds then suddenly without warning, strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

“Thank you… for everything. When the world seemed cruel you were there for me. To listen to me rant on endlessly. You do your best and I’m sure the best will stay with you. Thank you. Goodbye.” Her eyes widened in shock. This was more intense than usual.

“What are you saying, Riley?” Tightening his grip, ripples formed on her clothes. “Don’t let it get to you, alright?” Slowly, his arm slid from her side. “See you tomorrow” A comforting smile escaped her lips leaving him to watch her figure dissolve into the lights. A dull pain in his chest.

The darkness. For a second there was nothing. In the next Riley was standing on top of the bridge looking down towards the water holding his stern expression, like a stallion of the night. Wisps of hair flew into his face.

Darkness.

Down below a droplet hit the surface of the water sending ripples in every direction.

“At 8:25 last night a horrific car crash occurred upon the town’s bridge. There was minimal damage and none of the drivers had sustained any injuries. There was a total of 1 casualty that may or may not have been a result of the collision. Below the bridge the body of a young male teenager was revealed. The cause of death is yet to be determined by autopsy”.