The Edge

One

Bliss stood at the edge of the cliff, her damp and messy hair swaying in the wind. Mascara smeared under her dark chocolate eyes from crying. Breathing in the fresh air that turned her lungs cold. It would be her last breath before she entered the unknown abyss that awaited for her.

Bliss had come to this spot every chance she'd get since middle school. It was a spot that brought her peace and a place that reminded her of her ex friend. Someone she did not want to remember yet thoughts of the memories they had made sparked joy. That though, did not last long and soon their friendship turned sour as rumors spread about the type of person Bliss was. As one could assume it was nothing good.

Staring down at the deep blue ocean, Bliss took a seat on the edge, dangling her legs, thinking of what was about to happen.

Her death that was yearned for by many of those at her school. So she thought, why not just grant their wishes? She had nothing to live for anymore. Her older brother wouldn't even notice she was gone. Her parents were hardly around now that she was old enough. Her friends had left long ago. They were all Bliss had and now she was left with no one.

Bliss stood up never taking her eyes off of what was below her. Just as she was ready to jump a voice called her from behind, "HEY! Stop, get away from there." The voice was filled with concern and it took Bliss by surprise. She had never seen anyone up here and if she did, she personally knew them.

"W- what are you doing?" At this, Bliss turned around and she locked eyes with a boy she had never met. "Get away... from the edge. Okay, look I get it. It's hard, but I need you to step away alright? It'll be okay."

"You don't know me and you don't know if it'll be alright or not. You have no fucking right coming here and telling me what to do." Bliss said in annoyance though she knew she sounded childish.

"I- I don't have to know you to want you to stay alive," he said gently testing the words and praying it would work. It was clear she wouldn't say anything else as she turned away from him and looked over the edge. "Please get away from there and we can talk or not, I don't care. I just want you to be okay."

"Why are you here?" Bliss asked. "No one comes here, especially not at 2 in the morning."

"I come here once in a while." He said.

"No you don't, I come here quite often and I've never seen you here." She stated.

"Ever come here at 2am? That's when I'm here."

"No, but why the fuck would you come here that early in the morning?" Asked Bliss.

"It's nice, sometimes." He said. The boy never took his eyes off Bliss since he first saw her looking over the edge. He was too afraid if he did she would jump.

"It's weird. I think you're weird." She sniffled.

It was silent for a few moments before he decided to ask her for her name, "I'm Asher. What's your name?" He hoped using her name would change something in her making her want to move.

"Bliss," she replied.

"Bliss, please get away from there. I'll take you home or we can talk. I'll take you anywhere but I won't leave you here." Asher stated.

"I can't." She said. It wasn't the answer Asher wanted to hear. He wanted more than anything for her to move away from the edge. But he knew he couldn't always get his way. Bliss was stubborn and he knew that it wouldn't be easy.