Rooftops (On hold)

How it all started (1)

⚠TRIGGER WARNING this chapter mentions homophobia and attempted suicide throughout the chapter⚠ Also, if you skipped the first "chapter," please go back and read it. It has important information on it- Cs

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I stand at the edge of the building, looking down at the city below. This shouldn't be too hard... right? Come on, Harlow, just do it. You have nothing to lose. I take a deep breath, savoring the feeling of the wind rushing all around me. I take a second to focus deeply on the noise of the busy people rushing around. It's kind of calming in an unusual way. All it takes is one simple step and all the pain goes away. My breathing starts to pick up when I think about how this all started.

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*Flashbacks*

"Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you. I've wanted to tell you for a while, but I haven't thought of a good way to say it." I look down at the table and I organize my words. They're not going to be mad. Why would they be? Ok, time to just spit it out. "I'm bi-"

My dad, obviously furious, gets red in the face and my mom shakes her head violently in disbelief. "No, you're not," my dad spits, with a glare that pierces right through me. He stands up, and in an instant, his chair goes flying into the wall. My mom flinches, but instead of saying anything about my dad's outburst, she decides to contribute to the conversation of my statement.

"You're too young to even know what that means, let alone decide that's what you are."

"You don't even know what I was going to say!" I'm dumbfounded. How could they reject me before I even finished my sentence?

"There is no way that my daughter is gay in any way, shape, or form," my dad roars as if I wasn't in the same room.

"Ok, so I'm old enough to 'know' I'm straight, but when I know I'm not, I get hollered at? This is bullshit!" I shove my chair back and race to my room like the floor is crumbling apart behind me.

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*Hours later*

I start packing my stuff, just in case. If they don't accept me, they sure as hell won't miss me. I hear a loud bang on the door so I quickly shove my bag under the bed.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

After what feels like an eternity, but is probably only a few weeks later, I slip out the back door with all of the stuff I'll need in my bag.

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All of a sudden, it's like everything zooms out and I'm back on the roof, standing at the edge of the building, just one step away from ending this nightmare of a life. The last few months I've been homeless and I've gone through a lot of shit. I just can't wait for it to be over. This is it, Harlow. Just one more step, and you're out of your-

"Hey! What are you doing? Move before you fall!"

I sigh and slowly turn around. "Oh, sorry I didn't realize anyone else would be here, but I'm kind of doing something and I need to be alone to do it." I hear footsteps come pounding up the stairs and the door flies open.

"Ash, what's taking you so long? You said you would come get me when you made sure no one was up here." He slowly trails off once he sees me. Why can't I just be alone? I'm such a screw-up that I can't even end my suffering properly. My mind wanders to the last argument I had with my dad before leaving. "Harlow, It's just a phase! Now snap out of it. My daughter can't be gay. You don't want to be a disappointment, do you? Cause if you decide to be gay, that's all you'll be."

"Uh...hello?" I snap back into reality. What a nice way to come back; with a hand shoved in your face. Ash, or whatever her name is, pushes the boy's hand out of my face and rolls her eyes.

"Dude, that's not how you're supposed to get someone's attention. Did your mom never teach you any manners?"

"We have the same mom, you idiot!"

"Maybe I should just go. I don't want to get in your way." I mutter, "I can just finish my business on a different building." Maybe I can find a higher one. That way it will guarantee I can be successful.

"Well, what are you gonna do? Maybe we could help!"

"Trust me, I don't think you would want to help with this." I glance to the edge of the building one more time.

"Well why not? It's not like you were gonna jump or anything... right?" She gives me a worried look. I can tell she's hoping I'll say no.

"Well-" I cut myself off because I couldn't think of an excuse on the spot.

"Oh my god you were..."

This time it's her brother that talks. "Hey, just come away from the edge and we can talk."

"Why should I? It's not like I have anything to live for." I look down at my old, raggy shoes, and then once again to the edge. I slowly take a deep breath and turn around, facing the edge. "Maybe you guys should just leave. Forget about this. It will all be over soon anyway." I go to take the last step, but before I know it, I'm flat on my back with the guy on top of me. I push him off and try to go back to the edge, but he pulls me by the waist, so I come crashing into him.

"You're not going anywhere."

"Let me go!" I start flailing around, trying to make him let me go. After a little while, I go completely limp and he drops me, not expecting me to do that. I get up and race to the edge but he just pulls me back into his chest.

"Let me go," I say screaming once again. I pound on his chest after each word, still trying to break free of his hold. "What are you- HEY PUT ME DOWN!"

He picks me up bridal style and whispers, "as long as we're here, nothing is going to happen to you, and we're going to make sure of it."

"Put me down. I don't need your help."

"Oh I know, princess, but I'm not letting you hurt yourself."

"Fine," I huff, "but just so you know, I would have been fine." I look up at him and give him an annoyed face. He throws me over his shoulder and opens the door. I bounce around as he runs down the stairs with me still on his shoulder. I pinch his back and he yelps.

"Hey, what was that for?!"

"I'm not a sack of potatoes. Put me down!"

Ash whispers something in his ear. "Sorry, I can't let you down. I'll carry you like I was before though." Wooow how thoughtful. I shake my head at myself. Not the time to be a smartass, Harlow. He swings me back around so he's carrying me in the bridal style again.

"So..." I nod awkwardly. "What's your name?" I ask.

"Elliot. What about you?"

"Hm. Give me one reason why I should tell you. After this, I'm never gonna see you again." Ash giggles.

"Well you see... We're taking you to our house."

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Authors note
I know no one is gonna read this, but just let me have my moment ;-;
Anyways... I did it! The first chapter is finally up! If you see any mistakes, please point them out. It would be a lot of help. And maybe, just maybe, you could vote on this chapter and share it? 👉👈 I thought it was a pretty decent chapter. 😌 Sorry if it takes forever for us to post the next chapter

Until next time,
Cs