The New Kid

Chapter 28- High Up

So far, April 17th has just consisted of me of holding my left arm out for people to sign my cast. The red color of my cast is now nonexistent from the black Sharpie signatures.

My name is household now. People walked by me and instantly knew who I was. I got an assortment of high-fives, fist-bumps and shake-ups, most were from people I didn't know. Cameron's just become a gossip topic. I don't think anyone really cared that he was gone.

Bailey was acting really sketchy that day. After she signed my cast, she told me, "Thanks for being a good friend," and she walked away. I was confused when she told me this, but I didn't think much of it.

Later on, that day, the event came back up in my head again. I was thinking about it a mile a minute, "I think something's going on with Bailey," I told Savannah.

Savannah looked at me funny, "Scott, she's been like this forever. You're just now realizing something's wrong with her?"

"She told me 'Thanks for being a good friend' and walked away after she signed my cast. You don't think..."

"Scott, don't you dare put that thought in my head. We know Bailey. I am one hundred percent certain she won't do something stupid," Savannah snapped.

I dropped the subject after Savannah snapped at me, but the thought was still fresh in my mind. My day went by as normal. Nothing about Bailey came up. I lowered my guard; maybe I was overreacting.

I went to my 5th hour class and started to joke around with Drake, as I normally did. But, his face became serious when he saw some people running outside. Then, more people came outside, even some teachers.

"What the hell's going on?" I asked.

Savannah came into my class and gave us the answer, "Bailey's on top of the building across the street; I think she's gonna jump!"

My heart raced, almost to the point I was gonna pass out. I pushed Savannah out of the way and ran outside to the apartment complex across the street. Sure enough, almost all the Phoenix High students were gathered outside. Police cars had all the roads blocked, and news reporters stood on the sidewalk. I shoved people out of the way to get to the entrance, when I was stopped by a cop.

"You can't go past this point, this is a police line," he said.

"To hell with the police line!" I yelled. I nonchalantly walked under the police tape and took the elevator upstairs. I heard the cops yelling outside of the elevator doors, telling me I can't go up there or I'd be arrested. I didn't care. Bailey needed to be saved.

The elevator door dinged, and I ran up the rooftop stairs. Sure enough, there Bailey was, standing over the ledge, looking down at the scene below. She didn't hear me since she never turned around to acknowledge me.

"Bailey!" I yelled.

She turned around, moving closer to the edge, "Don't come any closer. I'll fucking jump."

"There's no need for any of this!" I pleaded.

Bailey sighed, "Scott, you don't understand. Every time I have a bit of happiness, someone comes along and ruins it."

"But this won't solve your problems. Get off the ledge, and we can get you some help," I said.

She shook her head, "Scott, no. That won't help either. This is the only way." She turned to look at me and gave me a half smile, "But thank you, Scott. It means a lot to me that you're at least trying to help me. You're a good friend. Now, you need to be a better friend and let me be free."

She turned around and started to lean forward. My stomach dropped at the sight. My adrenaline kicked in and I bolted to grab her. Time seemed to slow as I ran for her.

"No!" I yelled.

I grabbed her by her right ankle, but her weight pulled me over the ledge. Luckily, my feet held onto the ledge of the building. I could hear screams coming down from the street below. I also saw three people go inside the building. I couldn't tell who it was since I was so high up. We just sat there, dangling from the ledge. Vertigo set in and the world seemed to spin.

"Holy fuck!" I yelled. I was not a huge fan of heights. That was one of the things that scared me the most, losing Jessica tied with it.

My blood started rushing to my head, and I got a painful headache. I hoped we wouldn't be waiting here for long. I started to get anxious when Bailey started squirming around to try and fall. I maintained a firm grip on her ankle.

The door burst open, and I felt someone grab my legs.

"We're gonna pull you up!" Drake said. Soon, more hands grabbed my feet and started to pull me up. Once I was up, Drake, Preston and Jason came and helped pull Bailey up. I grabbed her and pinned her to an air conditioner. I was furious and scared.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I yelled.

"I don't want to live anymore!" she cried out.

She tried to break herself free, but I kept my grip on her shoulder. The loud thud of footsteps came and soon the cops surrounded us. They took Bailey down first, then they escorted us down.

When I stepped outside, cheers erupted from the crowd. Everyone told me I was a hero for doing this. I felt like I was, but I also felt like I wasn't. In a way, Bailey was just a friend in need and I was just helping her. I was interview heavily by the news stations and newspapers alike. After that, I was overcome with a sudden wave of emotion and I broke down crying. I wondered if Adelaide was smiling at what I did.

The next day, I received a copy of the newspaper from Savannah, detailing everything that had happened. Of course, the media spurred a twist to the story, which in turn pissed me off.

"They got the whole fucking story from me and these assholes still can't type the damn story out," I said.

"Easy on your language, Scott," Savannah interjected.

"This is some bullshit."

I don't know why I got so heated over it. Maybe some anxiety was lingering from the day before and my emotions were just all over the place. I was just glad Bailey was saved and nothing horrible happened.