You know when you were growing up and your parents would ask you why you did something, and you would say because so-and-so did it? Then your parents would ask if someone else jumped off a bridge would you, and you would always say no because that seemed crazy? Let's see if this changes your mind.
Everyone knew about the bridge. It was the bridge that hung over the icy cold water of the only river within miles of this small quaint town. Police officers and ambulance drivers frequented that bridge. The bridge was so silent and serene that it was a favorite place for many misunderstood people. No one knew whether it was the secludedness of the bridge, the height of the bridge, or even the low-railing, but it was a popular spot for people who had given up.
The thing that mesmerized everyone was the way that the snow would sparkle and glow red and blue as the police would pull up and the ambulances would leave. But ultimately no one could ever shake the feeling of the bridge, the feeling that drew you towards the bridge. Some people say that standing on the bridge drives you insane, that the snow falling from the sky, the river slowly freezing over, and the utter stillness will make you go crazy.
First, it was Jane Bowing, 8 months later, it was Reily Stout. After that it was Jamie, Melanie, and Grace. Finally, there was my best friend Piper. Jane's parents had both died in a car crash not two weeks before her jump, it wasn't much of a shock when the town found out, Riley was just a copycat of her. The pact between Jamie, Melanie, and Grace was for attention. But no one knew why Piper did it.
Piper and I grew up right down the street from each other, we were best friends since preschool. Her family was the exact same as mine, until, I realized it wasn't. My family was all picket fences and minivans, while hers, well hers was different. She grew up in an apartment complex, her parents were divorced, and she never once complained about her life. She constantly listened to me complain about my problems and I never cared to hear hers.
She jumped right after she lost that soccer game, but would she really jump just because of that? No way, umm, she… always talked about how she wanted to leave. I thought she just meant on vacation, maybe she really wanted to jump.
The more I paced, the more I thought, the more I thought the more I just wanted leave, but the more I wanted to leave the less i could. I could feel the bridge and the silence of the night getting to me. Drawing me in… the longer I stayed the less I could fight it. The water below looked so cool and comforting and I…
Wait
Breath-in out in out
Count- 1,2,3
Blink- 1,2,3,4
Step back, stop, pace.
I don't know how long I paced, but I do know that gentle snow began falling around me as I paced. By the time I was done pacing, the snow had formed a light layer of white dust on the ground, and I had lost all feeling in my fingers. But that's what it took, for me to channel Piper in me. For me to figure out her reason.
I finally realized, she didn't jump for one reason, she jumped because for the last 15 years of her life, all of her problems were bottled up inside of her, and the soccer game was the last straw.
She had a million times to open up and tell me what was going on, but I was too focused on myself to care. She did everything for me, and I did nothing for her. Growing up, I thought we were the exact same, that we were just meant to be best friends. We grew up in the same town, within a mile of each other, in the same classes all the way from preschool until now, we grew up in the same little town. Until I realized, we were galaxies apart and I didn't have a clue who she was.
She used to be my best friend, and we used to tell each other everything. I don't know when that changed but I refuse to keep going and move on without her by my side. She was my rock even if I wasn't hers.
Everyone thinks that those who jump are weak, and depressed, that they just gave up in the fight against the world. But what they don't know is that those people are too tired to keep pushing against the world. That's what standing on this bridge does, it makes you see the light. Those who jump aren't weak, they're just more tired and worn out than everyone else. They had a problem and they couldn't find a way to solve it, so they gave up.
I can't keep fighting, like jane, riley, jamie, melanie, grace, but most importantly I need to be like Piper. All of them gave up on to the world, gave up on to all of the awful people in the world, and made their own decision, did what no one wanted them to do with their life. They were the cowards of the world, and it's my time to join them.
The thing that mesmerized everyone was the way that the snow would sparkle and reflect red and blue as the police and ambulances would leave. But ultimately no one could ever shake the feeling of the bridge, the feeling that drew you towards the bridge. Some people say that standing on the bridge drives you insane, that the snow falling from the sky, the river slowly freezing over, and the utter stillness will make you go crazy.
First, it was Jane Bowing, 8 months later, it was Reily Stout. After that it was Jamie, Melanie, and Grace. Then there was my best friend , it's my turn. Everyone knew why Jane jumped, and Riley was just a copycat of her. The pact between Jamie, Melanie, and Grace was for attention. Piper cowered from the world, and I am going to cower with her
Those who jump like to think that the people in the world don't care about them, but they're wrong. Those left behind are the ones who have to deal with all of the grief, and pain and suffering of the cowards who left. Those who stay are strong, but I've made my choice.
Wait-
Breath- in out in out
Count- 1,2,3
Blink-1,2,3,4
Step up, Step forward. Count-
People try to ignore the pain, the suffering, all of the bad parts in the world. It won't work, not now not ever.
1
But we know, all of the tired, hurt, and lonely people in the world know-
The pain and suffering all go away after the jump. The jump will bring release we would never feel otherwise.
2
But in the end, everyone will always know about the bridge. It was the bridge that ran over the icy cold water of the only river within miles of this small quaint town.
But now- It's my turn, my turn to be like Piper and listen to what she would tell me to do.
So now I ask you - If your best friend jumped off a bridge, would you?
3
"WAIT!"
I jumped, startled by the voice. I turn around to find Percy Jackson… "What do you want?" I asked him.
"You were going to jump, weren't you?" he asked.
"Yes"
"Why?"
"Because Piper's gone." as I said this, I broke. I couldn't hold my tears anymore, because she was my best friend, and she's gone.
"Oh Annabeth, I'm so sorry… Come here."
"WHy"
"Just do it"
"Ok" I said as I walked over to him, he enveloped me in a hug that took my breath away, and made the world disappear."
"It'll be okay, I'll be here," he said to me while pulling me even closer than I already was.
"Ok." and in that moment I believed him.
The world was better,
Wait-
Breath- in out in out
Count- 1,2,3
Blink-1,2,3,4
Let go- today I leave my hardships behind, today I accept that Piper's gone, today I got a new friend, but today I accept that I'm meant to live my life.
And Percy Jackson helped with it all.