Music shook the entire second floor of the student accommodation. It seemed to be coming from upstairs so I thanked what few lucky stars I had that I was not on that floor. I mused this over as I pulled my suitcase behind me, the wheels clicking against the hardwood floor. Taking a deep breath I stopped in front of my room. Number 13. Go figure I get the unluckiest number in the whole house.

I jiggle the key in the lock, open the door and immediately scrunched my nose. Ugh, you would think I would be used to subpar living accommodations but spending two years in the gorgeous Benedict house can sure spoil a person. I pulled my suitcase in and walked immediately over to the window. The scorching Californian heat blazed in so after pushing it open I yank down the blinds.

The space is predictably small but somehow charming. I was beyond ecstatic to learn we have a shower and sink in each room but toilets are down the hall. Only so much you can fit in one space without, gasp, forfeiting precious wardrobe space. No one had questioned all the clothes I had brought with me from London and I kept them as a reminder of where I came from. And what it stood for. There was no substance to it, only material want and I never wanted to have that be my main goal again.

Phee came in, dragging another suitcase and Yves behind her. "Can I put it here?" he asked, tilting his head towards my other suitcase.

"Yeah." I replied. I run my fingers across the eggshell coloured walls and sigh softly. Looks like I should probably unpack and get to know people. I knew some second year was holding a movie night down in the common room so at least there was something to do tonight if I could not set up the WiFi for my laptop. Phee stopped the suitcase beside the others and headed back out to the car. I turn towards the window as my heart lurches painfully in my chest at her absence already. No need to feel alone. Soon these rooms will be full of people. My eyes tear and I take a deep ragged breath to steady myself. I swivel around on the spot to go attack my suitcases when I notice Yves still in the room. Grimacing, I look to the floor and I rapidly fade out, walking quickly back out to the car. Unable to resist, I glance at Yves from the corner of my eye to see if he's noticed anything and find that he is staring at me. Even invisible the pain is clear to see.

The asinine film had lost me within ten minutes. I slouched back in the bean bag as I let it wash over me but after half an hour I could not deal with it further and fade just a little so I can discreetly leave. At least three quarters of the house showed up for it so I meet no one on my way out. Deciding my room is too claustrophobic I go in only to grab a blanket. I lift it and inhale deeply, the distinctive smell of Wrickenridge surrounding it. I roll it under one arm and grab the pillow off my bed. Locking the door behind me I noticed etched into the wood a heart with "Tayla + Adam" scratched inside it. I roll my eyes in disgust.

Phee and Yves had gone off to their apartment soon after helping me unpack, insisting I call them or Vick if I needed anything. He was here for a few days on business and we were all going out for dinner tomorrow night. I longed to call any of them for company but I had been on my own for long enough to become familiar with the feeling again.

Wanting some air and quiet, I decided to check was there a way onto the roof. It was flat from what I remembered and would be the ideal place to enjoy the cooling evening air. I grew happy thinking about this. The building was five floors high and when I got to the top floor and had a look around, I noticed a door different to the standard room door at the end of the corridor slightly ajar. "As good a guess as any." I muttered to myself.

I pushed it open to a somewhat dark back stairs. These stairs were concrete and the walls unpainted, giving them a dark, creepy feel as they vanished into darkness going down. There was probably an entrance to them from my floor. Ugh. Well done me. But now I was only interested in going up and I grabbed the handrail. The metal door was a little harder to push open but the whip of wind in my face was worth it.

The lighter heat of the late evening brushed gently on my skin as I closed the door behind me. It was heavenly and I wished I could etch the sensation into my memory. Maybe it would cancel out the thought of the two lovers on my door, probably long broken up at this stage if I knew anything about most human relationships. It was hard to make them last, to find the one for you without a bond to excitedly whisper to you you had found them.

I forced the negative thoughts away to find a decent spot to relax and see could my phone catch the blocks WiFi up here. I gave a quick glance around not expecting to see a defining factor as to where to settle. Only after giving the whole roof a quick scan did I notice it. I froze. There was more than a door, a girl, a blanket and a phone up here. There was a boy. And he was not sitting down on the safe rooftop. He stood precariously on the waist high wall enclosing the roof.

And he had yet to notice me. His chestnut brown hair was being tousled by the light breeze and his golden arms were by his sides, not stretched out for balance as they should be. Should be my mind shrieked. He should not even be there in the first place!

I could not see his face so I had no clue as to whether he was just about to jump or had only gotten up on the wall seconds ago. I found myself stiffly clutching my phone, petrified if I said a word he would jump off the wall in that instant. I mentally swore. Could I not have had Victor's gift at manipulating minds. But my only skill now would be to literally talk him off the ledge.

I could fade from sight but what good would that do? He was facing away from me and even if I managed to sneak up on him, he could easily push against any physical restraint I could manage. I could speak but he might not hear me or it would startle him. The sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

So my only option was to speak to him telepathically. Even though a human would not hear my words, he would get the feeling not to jump. To get down. Hopefully.

I tried to swallow but my throat had gone dry. It was now or never.

You need to get down from the ledge. You do not want to jump. You want to live.

Astonishingly, he stumbled around on the ledge and looked at me in pure shock. "You!" he gasped, saying it out loud and in my mind. Then I was stunned as a rush of pleasure, excitement and desire flashed through my every fibre.

I dropped the blanket in shock, before I noticed him lose his footing on the ledge. And he was not falling towards me.

Author person here,

Cliffhanger! Not super happy with this chapter ie. I was poking and prodding it a fair bit before uploading, but hopefully it is satisfactory. Feel free to tell me it sucks in comments (but in a constructive/ civil manner!)

Happy St. Patrick's day from Ireland! It is pretty much an excuse to drink for most here but you got to love the atmosphere (and the "Póg mo Thóin" shorts! ("Kiss My Ass" in Irish))

NOTE: Postponing this story for a while. I PROMISE to finish it but I am not sure when I will. I had the story planned as far as chapter ten but I just lost the train of the story. This happened with "Winning Willow" two or three times and it really just requires me to spend a few weeks thinking about it (bus journeys are so good for this). But I want to focus on Winning Willow for now, I just love writing Tulip :D