"What the fuck are you doing, you fucking weirdo?"
The weird kid turned to me with a lighter and and a lit candle in their mouth. The black grunge boots, ripped blue jeans, and over-sized black tee hanging off their shoulder didn't make them look more... normal. Their short blue hair sat on their head ruffled and messy. Their snakebites adding to their look and complimenting their hazel eyes. Their flat chest leading to a lean frame. They weren't... normal. They looked at me curiously before I heard a sudden noise.
They were laughing.
"What's it look like kid? Would you rather I be smoking a cigarette?"
I didn't mind that they called me kid in that moment. They looked as if they had seen it all. Their clipped laughter was enough to let me know that they experienced some shit. Gathering my courage I spoke up.
"Well, why a candle?"
They looked down contemplatively. Looking into my eyes they asked,"Are you jumping?"
I looked at the ground which was 12 stories away, then at the soft expanse of blue sky above me. I looked back at the weird kid.
"Yeah."
"Well that's why."
I looked at them confused. They just laughed again in their clipped way.
"Kid, I promised the most important person in my life that I'll live to see another birthday."
I looked away. They sighed and turned to the sky.
"Promise me something kid?"
I whispered a soft,"Okay."
"Live to see another birthday."
I looked at them to see my boring self staring back at me before that reflection shifted back to the weird kid.
"We have so many more birthdays to see kid. I know you'll like 'em."
And with that they dissolved in a puff of smoke, leaving only a blue candle behind. Picking it up, I take out my lighter and light it. Taking out my cigarettes I throw them over the side of the building. Smiling, I step away from the ledge and head back down to buy some more candles, some snakebites, and some blue hair dye.
