down at the water beneath me and take a deep breath as I try to muster up the courage.
The wind picks up speed and I shiver. Who thought this was a good idea?
“Are you going to do it? Or are you just going to stand there all night?” someone asks.
“Shouldn’t write a check your ass can’t cash,” someone else yells. Who even says that?
“I could’ve been inside partying right now!” another complains and all the voices mesh together in the background of what might be the biggest mistake I have ever made, if I end up making it.
I shouldn’t have said I could do this... but once the guys questioned my ability to do so, I had to prove them wrong. It’s their fault really, they started it. The baseball guys…it’s always the baseball guys.
We were at a party at Stevenson’s house to kick off the long weekend when I somehow found myself in the middle of an argument I had no business being part of.
Well, I may have inserted myself into their conversation.
But that’s beside the point. The point is they said I wouldn’t jump.
I said I would. That I’d do it anytime, anywhere. Those were my exact words. Words they took advantage of.
They suggested I do it tonight. Well, suggested is putting it lightly. They put money on it.
I had to win the bet, not only for the money but for the respect that comes with it. If I jump, they won’t doubt me anymore.
News of the bet spread with most people joining to bet against me. My classmates couldn’t believe I had said yes to jumping off a rock, and they would take any chance they could to make some extra cash, not that any of them needed it. People at Bragan Prep didn’t need money. Still, they all craved excitement.
Conveniently for all of us, and I say this sarcastically, Stevenson’s house happens to be near this damn rock, so here we are.
All the party-guests are here as well.
Standing behind me, shouting random things at me while I’m here in my underwear in the freezing cold, with the rock I’m standing on serving as the only thing stopping me from plunging to my death.
Right now, I wish I were more than tipsy so I can just get this over with. The water is going to be very cold; I just know it. I can’t believe I put myself in this predicament all because of a bet. A challenge. A dare. One I couldn’t back down from.
I guess the entire baseball team, and I, aren’t entirely to blame for my current predicament.
The person who deserves all the blame is always the same.
Kayden Harrison.
It’s not like he said anything—he actually didn’t talk at all—but the way he stood there all smug, with his arms crossed, said all I needed to hear.
Kayden’s been pushing my buttons since elementary school. He’s the reason I got sent to the principal’s office when I kicked him for pushing me and making me kill a ladybug.
I got stuck with him in middle school with only a year’s reprieve, since he’s a year ahead of me. I would say he followed me, but I’m a year below him, so I bet he says it’s the other way around.
I ended up with him in high school too. Despite the fact that I didn’t go to Bragan High School, where my dad coaches the football team. I chose Bragan Prep instead and found him here. So, long story short, I’m stuck with him for one more year.
Still, he’s the reason I’m standing here half naked in the freaking cold in the first place.
I saw his face when the guys dared me to jump.
I saw the way he shook his head like he knew it was something I’d never do.
His silence was a gauntlet. He was challenging me. I could tell. I’ve known him my whole life.
So, it’s his fault I said yes.
Because my life has been all about proving him wrong.
Speaking of the devil, I turn to my right and watch as Kayden takes his place a few feet from me. He stands there with a red cup to his lips as he takes a sip of his beer.
Looking away from him, I clutch my cup and do the same. It tastes stale. Warm. Not at all refreshing or encouraging.
I can’t believe I’m really contemplating jumping off this rock. I’ve been here numerous times before, usually in the summer, and have always been too afraid to do