Low. (Janoskian FanFiction)

Chapter 4

Karigan closed the jewelry shop, the key turning to the left and closing the padlock. The little silver bell that hung inside chimed one more time as she left the shop, the cold evening air sending chills down her bones. The rain had died to a soft spray of cold water, that slowly wetted her black and white long-sleeved dress. The black and white were assorted by horizontal stripes. Her hair lay down on her shoulders as she smiled at the barely occupied streets.

She wrapped her arms around her torso and walked towards the bridge. The people passed her, but she looked straight at the ground. Her eyes were centered on her flats, that walked one in front of the other, then repeated. Her thoughts were in another land by now, all the events of the day playing inside her like a scratched CD. 

Why did she have to witness these things? 

All she wanted to do now was crawl under her bedsheets and watch Spongebob with her laptop, the only illumination in her appartment the harsh light of the screen. But she knew she couldn't simply hide again. What if this happened again? She couldn't bear the thought of someone dying and she doing nothing to stop it. Even if it was a stranger. 

Karigan was standing on the middle of the bridge, her hair to the wind like a flag. Her eyes were positioned on the horizon, the breeze hitting her in the face. Her eyes were wide on the nothingness that extended beyond limits. Why would anyone drop herself into death before their time? Why would they want to leave life?

She placed her hands on the railing and breathed, the clear air filling her up to the last cell. Why would anyone want to miss the cool scent of the water? The feeling of grass against her feet? Smiling? Laughing? Why would anyone want to leave that?

Maybe those people hadn't yet discovered the joy in that.

The air washed coldly over again. She felt the railing underneath her fingers, the marble sliding under her skin.

OOMPF.

Karigan was now on the ground, knocked out by some extreme and furious force. Her head thudded against the ground, but she instantly rised from the waist up, using her elbow as support. She rubbed her head with her hand, closing one eye, but the other open. One of her knees was bent and her other leg was stretched on the ground. Her head swirled with pain, and she could feel a small bump emerging from it.

"WHAT THE HELL?" She demanded, her voice angry and hurt. Her knees were caked in soil, and her behind had landed in a puddle. She was shivering with cold. Karigan lifted her gaze to find an extended hand, soft and warm.

"Um... erm... sorry." As Karigan took his hand, an attractive guy apologized clumsily. She was hauled upwards, just to meet her gaze with his.

He had dark deep eyes, that glimmered with his awkward smile. His hair, dark and silky, spiraled with the wind. He wasn't exactly skinny, but he was so attractive he took your breath away. His breath smelled of mint and toothpaste, making her want to stay next to him all day. His smile was awkward but playful as if he had just been caught stealing from a cookie jar. His skin was soft and warm, welcoming. He met her gaze with smiley eyes.

"Why did you just do that?" Karigan asked the stranger, whilst dusting the soil off her knees and dress. 

"After today, I wasn't taking any chances." He smiled at her. "I mean, watching a girl almost kill herself leaves you kinda cautious about stuff." He started to scratch behind his head. 

"You're gonna get in trouble if you're gonna keep pushing every girl that walks over here." Karigan answered him, checking herself to see if she was still filthy.

"Well, sorry, again." He blushed slightly. He fixed his smile to a playful one. "Well I'm James, nice to meet you." He placed his hands in his pockets.