**IMPORTANT** *This story contains mention of suicide. If this triggers or upsets you please don't read*
~~ Arthur has known Maaya for a while now. He considers her his best friend who only has his best interests at heart. But does she really know what's best for him?

"She should be here by now."

I looked at my watch impatiently. The time was 9:23p.m. Maaya said she would be here by 9:00.

"If she wasn't gonna show up, why didn't she just call me and cancel?"

I'm sick of her crap. She'll always show up late or not at all. I walked away from the street light I had been standing under, and started heading home. This is last time I listen to her "This is stupid. I'm go- "

"Where do you think you're going?"

I spun around quickly, startled, as I saw her standing there.

"Oh you're, h- "

"Yeah I am. Let's go."

She walked pass me. Quickly. Wherever she was taking me she obviously couldn't wait to get there. I followed after her like a puppy following its owner. And that's exactly what I was to her. A puppy. An obedient little dog. A mindless disciple. A sucker. An idiot who couldn't think for himself. Why do I put up with her? Why do I let her do this to me? Why do I accept to do anything and everything this girl tells me to do? I clenched my fist in anger. I am not putting up with this anymore. I'm my own man. I glared over at her. Always. Always. ALWAYS bossing me around and telling me what to do. Well not anymore. I opened my mouth. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna tell her she is NOT in control of me. Not anymore.

"Are you alright?"

All the pent-up anger and frustration shriveled up and drifted away with the evening breeze.

Maaya studied at me with her light green eyes. The light of the moon reflecting them. Making them seem more irresistible. Her short dark brown hair flowing in the gentle evening wind.

I wanted to speak, but everything just turned to mush. My brain. The words of fury that were about to be directed at her. She did this to me. Every time I looked into her…

"Look, I know I'm being rather direct, but I'm so excited. I just want you to… I can't wait for you to…Please just trust me. I know that's kind of a lot to ask, but please. You know I only have your best interests at heart."

Oh. That's why I let her get away with her inane antics. She actually does care about me. She…just wants what's best for me. That's why I don't mind her leading me all over the place. She genuinely cares. Wow, she reminds me so much of my sister, Coraline. She died last year. I miss her all the time. Her laugh. Her smile. Her sense of humor.

"Arthur?"

I snapped out of my thought to see Maaya looking at me with a worried expression. I gave her a small smile.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, good. Come on"

We walked in silence for a moment before I realized I had no idea where we were going.

"So, uh…where are we going exactly?"

She glanced at me for a moment, then at the ground, then on the dark road ahead of us. A small smile creeped on her lips.

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise huh?"

"Yes."

"But, the other times we went places you told me where we were going. What makes this time so special?"

"You'll see."

I smiled nostalgically as the previous adventures we had flowed through my mind. Many times, Maaya and I would go wandering. We traveled to the train station, the forest, and my personal favorite, the cliff that overlooked the whole city. All the places were beautiful in their own way, and full of mystery sprinkled with a bit of danger. I loved it.

I smiled. Now I was excited.

"Well, if it's anything like the last few places you took me to, I'm sure it'll be great."

Her smile widened, but she kept her gaze straight ahead.

"Yes, yes it will be."

We walked for about an hour. Mom didn't know I was out here, nor did she need to know. She was always overprotective, and became even more so when Coraline died. I don't even understand why she was so worried. I was with Maaya, and she wouldn't let anything happen to me. I tried to introduce Maaya to my mom countless times, but she always declined. She would always say that it was pointless. I never understood that. My mom would love Maaya. She was sweet, pretty, and always wanted what was best for me. What else could anyone want?

"We're here."

I snapped out of my thoughts and saw where Maaya had taken me. We were at the base of the Tyler Clementi Memorial Bridge. My eyes widened and my heart dropped to my feet.

This…this was the last place I saw my sister. The last placed we talked. Hours before she died. Why would Maaya take me here? What's wrong with her?! She knows how I feel about this place. She knows what happened her. Why would she…

"Come on."

She started walking up the bridge. I slowly followed behind her. We stood at the peak of the bridge that overlooked the dark, deep ocean. I rested my arms on the railing and looked over the view, and couldn't help but think about Coraline. She always loved the water…

"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?"

I tilted my head to look over at Maaya. Her face was emotionless as her eyes stared blankly over the ocean. I stood up straight and stared at her as she continued to speak.

"You really should get over it. It's been almost a year. Stop sulking."

I gawked at her with an incredulous look on my face. Is she serious? How dare she?! She looked over at me and continued to speak.

"You should stop being upset about her because you're going to see her again."

Wait…what? No. W-what is she talking about. Coraline's dead. How…I can't see her again unless…

"Calm down, I'm not going to kill you. Why would I do that? I'm not a monster."

I relaxed. Just a little.

"Oh, yeah. I-I knew that. Why would you th- "

"You're going to do it"

"…"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

I backed away from her. What is she talking about?

"You…want me to kill myself?"

"Well, this is what you wanted."

"…"

"You've been wanting to do this for months"

"W-what?"

"You heard me."

"N-no. NO. I haven't! Why would I…I would nev- "

"Yes, you have. Remember? At the train station you laid right in the middle of the tracks has the train was coming. Then you chickened out and said you weren't ready. Then at the forest. You brought a rope and was going to hang yourself. But you said not yet. Then at the cliff. You were about to jump. You were so close. Just one more step and you wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be having this discussion. But again, you said you weren't ready. You said next time for sure. So, go on. Jump. So you can see your sister again."

I couldn't believe what Maaya was telling me, but at the same time I could. She was right. Every time I went to those places…it was my idea? No-no this isn't true! This can't be true! I would never do something like this! I wouldn't! I couldn't! I mean I missed my sister, but I wouldn't… No. NO she…she's lying. Lying to my face. I trusted her…

"This is what's best for you."

"...no…"

"Arthur- "

"NO! IT'S NOT! SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANT THIS!"

"Yes, you do. I'm not making you do this. You are. You went to all those places: the train station, the forest, the cliff, and now here. I didn't force you. You're doing this to yourself. You're doing this on your own free will."

"No!"

"You want to die."

NOO!

"What's going on?"

A new voice rose from the darkness. I looked behind me and saw an old couple who lived on my street. They were looking at me with concern. The old man spoke again.

"Are you alright?"

I quickly answered back.

"NO! I'm not! Please! Get her away from me! She wants me to die!"

The two glanced at each other then back to me. The old women spoke this time

"Who?"

Are they serious? I pointed straight at Maaya. She was standing right next to me! How could they not see her?

"Her! She wants me to jump! She wants me to kill myself! Please! Do something!"

The old man took a hesitated step toward me. He spoke in a calm voice, but the words he said shook me to my core.

"Kid…there's no one there."