Secrets

I stood on the edge, the roaring waves below pulling me in like a magnet. So tempting. So...inviting.

"Melanie, don't do it. Please Mel, I love you. Don't leave me."

I turn around, half expecting to see Luke. However, after looking over him briefly, I know that it is someone else entirely. Honestly, I almost feel sorry for this boy. You could clearly see the prominent dark circles, from obvious lack of sleep, underneath his piercing blue eyes. Eyes that were still visible even in the darkness.



I look at him questioningly, trying to figure out who he was. Or better yet how he knew my name, or where to find me.



Anger starts to boil inside me as I realize that this boy was trying to stop me from doing what I so desperately needed to do. I don't even know him, so why should he care what I do? Why should I listen to him?



However, after glaring at him for a minute, I have no choice to back down. The way he looked at me, those intoxicating eyes watching my every move, could only be described as....love. It was hard to be mad at someone when they do things like that, even if you don't know them.

"How did you find me?" I finally ask after calming down.

"I followed you. Do you honestly think I was going to let you do something so stupid? Do you know what it would do to me if you did this?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to. And why should you care? I don't even know you."



"Melanie, stop with the games. You know how I feel about you. You say no one cares, but I love you Melanie. And you know it. Please stop playing with my head."




"I'm sorry, whoever you are, but I don't know you. And I will not live this screwed up life anymore. Not like this." I say before making my way back to my previous place on the edge of the cliff.

After taking one final breath, I leap into the water, anxiously awaiting for the depths to take over my body.

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I wake up with a start, and take in my surroundings as my tired eyes begin to see clearly. Apparently, I had fallen asleep on a park bench.The pouring rain drenching my clothes is what I am assuming woke me.


It takes me a minute to realize that the cliff and the boy had all been a dream. I am still here, still alive in this place. But for now, I have no reason to want to die. No reason to take such drastic measures. I had made my escape.



And Luke wasn't going to bother me anymore.

"Excuse me?" I hear someone say.


I jump as I see a hand waving in front of my face, in an attempt to get my attention.

"Hello?"

"Hi. I'm Niall. And I hope you don't find this rude of me to ask, but why are you sitting out here in the pouring rain. Shouldn't you go inside?"

"Hey Niall, I'm Melanie. And I would, but I don't have anywhere to go."

"What do you mean?"

"It's complicated." I say as tears start to form in my eyes, threatening to spill over at any second.

And it was the truth.



The little bit of extra money that I had remembered to bring was quickly running out. The decision to come here had it's consequences, of course. But what would've happened if I had stayed with Luke?



Here, it was possible that I would have to live on the streets until I found a way to get money.



But if I went back he would surely make my life a living nightmare. And it would be considerably worse than he normally did, seeing as how I ran away from him.

"You're homeless?" he questions.

"I guess you could say that." I say nodding, attempting to stop the tears that were now flowing mercilessly.

"I'm confused."

"I'm from America, but I got some money from my bo-" I pause for a second, deciding it was better not to mention him "from my friend to buy a plane ticket to London. I just needed to get away. My whole family is dead, and I couldn't take being there anymore. It was an in the moment decision, and I didn't think about how I would need money for things like food and water."

I look back over at him and he looks as if he's in deep thought, contemplating something.

"Come with me." he says, standing up.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Come with me."

"But I don't know you."

"I can't leave you like this. What kind of person would I be if I did? You can stay with me until you get on your feet. I've got an extra room. Come on Melanie, I won't hurt you." he says, offering me his hand.

I take it and stand up, following along behind him. Realization washes over me as I think of what this could mean.


I could get what I came here for.


I could have the chance to start over. And all of those worries that I used to have, gone for good.

I smile to myself at the thought that things were finally looking up for me. My life was going to be different now.

At least, that's what I hope for.