-Edward's POV-

For three solid months, I didn't come to school. It was the only thing I could think of to keep away from Jasper. I don't know how I managed it, because sitting in his room had already brought back memories I desperately wanted to keep locked away.

He was touching me, wanting to make sure I was real. I didn't blame him, because last year, I pulled a stunt so huge, everyone thought i wasn't going to make it.

(Flashback)

I was sitting on my bed, twirling a pill bottle in my hand. I had been so depressed lately, and my parents were the reason. Constant fighting, the doors slamming against the doorframe, occasional glass shattering. It was then that I knew they'd separate.

They didn't even pay attention to me when I was trying to get it. They let me do whatever I wanted. Even when the cops showed up at their door with me handcuffed, they still shrugged it off and sent me up to bed. I knew I wasn't grounded. I never was.

I threw the pills aside, and stood up, going out onto the balcony. The wind was slightly northwest, and it was a quiet evening on our street. I leaned against the rail, my thoughts leading to dead ends.

What if I just took myself out of the equation? No one needs me, I thought, and jumped up onto the rail, swinging my legs over, sitting on the cold metal. Jasper was supposed to come over and study with me, though I knew he was looking for other things besides that. I couldn't handle being that way. It would hurt too much.

Lost in my own thoughts, my legs swinging, I didn't realize Jasper had come up into the room and onto the balcony.

"Hey." He said, leaning against the rail beside me.

"Jasper, I-" I started, but he shook his head.

"I know. Your parents let me in. They didn't seem that interested in my excuse."

"No, I mean..." I looked down, my eyes watering. Telling Jasper was the hardest thing, especially because he was my best friend.

"What? Edward spit it out!" He said, worried.

"I'm dealing with depression. Like hard core depression." I said, turning to face Jasper. I gripped the railing for support, though I wanted to just fall off then.

"I knew that, Edward. The pills, losing sleep night after night. I've been there." He looked at the way I was sitting on the railing. "Get off there, your going to fall."

I hesitated. Could Jasper really help me? Or was he just going to put me down again? He didn't help me the last time I was in a situation like this.

"Edward..." He pulled me back, but I yanked my arm away, and lost my balance on the railing, falling off the balcony of our three story house. The last thing I heard was Jasper's pained cry before I hit the ground.

(End flashback)

"Edward! Edward, hello?" Jasper was saying, his hand waving in front of my face.

"What? Oh, right." I said, looking up at Jasper. They called the case a suicide and since Jasper was a witness, he was called in to court to confess what he saw. Only then did my parents care. What a joke.

"What happened? You fell from the balcony, I saw you fall. They found your body, and you were buried-" Jasper choked on his tears.

"No, I ended up in the hospital. I was confined there for a while till I got better. Then they released me and I hid for a while."

Jasper looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. "Why would you do such a thing, Edward? I helped you all those times you were going through-"

"NO YOU DIDNT!" I shouted, angry now. "YOU WERE NEVER AROUND, JASPER." My eyes were glued to his, watering as I fought for control over my emotions.

"Your right. I was an asshole, wasn't I?" He said, wiping his eyes.

"Damn right..." I answered, and my bottom lip started quivering.

"Edward..." Jasper started, and I hugged him, throwing myself at him as I sobbed.

"Shhh, it's okay. I'm here now. We're okay." He kept saying over and over. But I was sobbing because I couldn't stay away from Jasper anymore. I couldn't live with the fact that I was the one that broke his heart. Maybe it was time I told him how I really felt.

After a while, I looked up at him, and he looked back at me.

"Jasper?" I asked, sniffling.

"Yes? What is it?" He asked, worried now.

"I...I love you."