Jump:
She really never knew why the damn construction people decided to build a swing set right at the edge of a cliff. Haven’t they ever thought about the safety of the little kids? Sure, there was a fence, but if you really wanted to, you could be swinging higher than recommended, and maybe, if you slipped, you could go flying off the damn million-feet-high cliff.
The park was slightly hidden, and it consisted of the wretched swing set, a slide, and a sandbox. That’s it. Zexine liked to go out and hide on the swing set, usually pondering what would happen to the park if someone actually did kill themselves. This was Zexine’s little secret place, a park cut off from the rest of the world, that little swing set just offering its services if one should ever feel particularly depressed, and that fence reminding them to give life another chance.
It wasn’t like Zexine would actually jump off, though. The only thing holding her back was a boy. Another junior, like herself. The love of her pathetically miserable life was always there, sitting all lonely-like in the back of the room, right next to Zexine. Of course, Zexine never talked to him, seeing as the other was genuinely popular, despite the fact that he sat by himself next to Zexine. No, Zexine merely watched him out of the corner of her eye, relishing each smile he’d give to one of his doodles, or how he’d whisper songs to himself under his breath.
Singing softly in his sweet, oh so beautifully sweet voice, he’d sing all to himself, usually a sad song that made Zexine want to throw her arms around him and never let go. Even his name was beautiful. He always had a happy smile on when Zexine saw him with his friends, but in class, he dropped all cheerfulness and sat calmly in his chair, staring out the window, or watching the teacher do his thing.
Once, he tried talking to Zexine, but Zexine was too embarrassed to speak, captured by the other’s beauty. And of course, that made her blush even more, rendering her barely capable of saying his name, and once she managed to say it, the other just smiled and returned to his doodles.
Zexine was walking down the road, her feet taking her the familiar path to the hidden park. Faintly, she could hear the creak of swings, and she wondered if she would have to wait for kids to get off, or if she’d have to kick them off. She savored the image of kicking kids off the swing, with a slightly sadistic smile on her face. Right now, she didn’t care who he was mean to, as long as she got to hurt someone.
She just had another fight with her father, that’s why. Her father was drunk, and he got home in a bad mood. Maybe he thought that yelling at Zexine would make him feel better, or something, because as soon as he got home he started screaming his head off. Eventually Zexine got pissed off and he walked out the house, to go— you guessed it! — The beloved park.
Zexine stepped into the clearing and saw a blonde sitting on one of the swings steadily gaining height. And, dammit, the guy was sitting in her spot! That was another thing Zexine didn’t like about the swings: They had long ropes that were just screaming “Hey, just test how high you can go! Just don’t jump off!”
Zexine liked to swing alone, so naturally, when she saw someone sitting there, she walked over to tell them off. But on closer inspection, the kid turned out to be a kid Zexine’s age…that looked strangely familiar…and had headphones blasting music in his ears…and sandy blonde hair. The guy was facing towards the fence, which was not good. Maybe he was thinking of jumping, too? He can’t be all bad, then. Zexine moved closer, and with a surprised gasp, she realized it was him.
Demyx, the love of her life.
Zexine cautiously went to go stand next to the swinging boy, who had his eyes closed. Apparently he had not noticed Zexine, as he kept swinging, singing under his breath. Zexine coughed, and Demyx opened his eyes and stared down at Zexine, a slightly surprised look on his face. No words were said, however, as Demyx slowed to a stop.
They waited there in silence, debating on who should speak first.
Demyx did. “Hi, Zexine.”
“Hello, Demyx…” Zexine said quietly; she wondered if Demyx could even hear her past the headphones and Demyx took them out a few moments later.
“So…What brings you here?” Demyx asked casually, swinging his legs a bit.
“I always come here. I always sit here and think.”
“Oh yeah? About what?”
“Life.”
“So you want to jump” it wasn’t a question.
Zexine moved to sit on the other swing, and started swinging a bit. With a grin, Demyx followed.
“I think about it, too, Zexine. I like to swing. It’s so refreshing…like I’m flying. Swinging helps me think and escape reality.”
“What do you have to escape from?” Zexine asked, surprised.
“My uncle. He’s always drunk. I got tired of being yelled at.” Demyx said simply.
“ Really? Me too…” Zexine said, glancing at Demyx shyly.
“But I’ve never jumped.” Demyx continued.
“Me neither, obviously.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
“Me to— wait, huh?” Zexine looked at Demyx, who was swinging a little higher now.
“I’ve been waiting. Haven’t you?” Demyx looked curiously at the other who was swinging furiously to catch up.
“I guess…what have you been waiting for?” Zexine said, feeling the wind blow her hair over her face.
“You.”
“Excuse me?” Zexine wasn’t sure if she heard Demyx right.
“You. I’ve been waiting for you.” Demyx looked sideways at Zexine seriously. “I think…I think I love you.”
“What? I love you too…” Zexine said breathlessly. “Since I met you…”
Demyx smiled, and Zexine could see he was crying now.
“I had to out up with a lot of crap, Zexine…No one understood me. I’ve always wanted to escape this world…I just couldn’t do it without you. I know I’ve hardly ever talked to you, but frankly, Zexine, I’m just too shy.” Demyx was swinging way too high for Zexine’s liking now, and he beckoned for Zexine to catch up. Soon, Zexine and Demyx were swinging side by side, and Zexine was afraid to look down; it was that high.
“Zexine, will you jump with me?”
The words were out of Demyx’s mouth before he could stop himself, but once he said them, he didn’t blush. Zexine gaped at him.
“You want me to jump with…you?” Zexine gasped.
“Do you want to? If not, yanno, I can wait.” Demyx looked disappointed.
“Demyx…you don’t have to wait.” Zexine held out one hand, teetering on her seat. Demyx quickly grabbed her hand, preventing her from falling without her. “I want to fly too.”
“On three, then…” Demyx whispered.
“On three.” Zexine smiled, and Demyx blew her a kiss.
“One…” they counted together.
“…Two…”
“…Three!”
Both teens let go of the ropes at the same time, and at last, they were flying, absolutely flying, and they could feel the wind in their hair. Zexine felt so complete, in Demyx's arms, so safe and she knew that everything was going to be all right. Demyx pressed a kiss to Zexine’s lips, and before they knew it…
They hit the floor...
Little Miss Road Community Member 
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