Falling Too Far

Chapter 41- Monster nails and butt bruises.

Dedicated to: reytonn (for the new cover- first fan made cover!!!1!1!)

"Hello?"

"Hi," Joshua breathed on the other end of the phone. "How are you?"

Slightly surprised, I frowned a little, my reply stiff. "I'm fine, thank you."

Why is he calling?

What if he found out about my wrists- that's why he's asking if I'm alright! Oh my gods.

"So... " Joshua dragged on, and my heart sunk in my chest.

He's going to ask about it.

Oh gods-

"I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the park about now? I don't really want to go alone."

I let out a short sigh of relief. Why was I being so paranoid? Nobody would ever know about it. Nobody needed to know about it, and nobody would. After all, out of all the people in the world, how would Joshua know about it?

"Sure," I replied. I paused for a second, surprised at my response.

He's been so nice to you. That's why you said yes.

I shook it off, continuing. "I'll meet you by the entrance in ten minutes?"

"I'll be waiting."

Then he hung up.

I sighed, slumping at the foot of my bed. Something had changed after I had brought that razor to my skin just a few hours ago. Something small- like the flicking of a switch- but something just as drastic, almost turning the light completely off in my life.

My heart was heavy, my eyes were raw with tears and my body and wrist were aching like hell. I couldn't help but notice how all these feelings had disappeared when I found Harper's pile of books at the doorstep.

Sure, someone might argue- they're just a pile of books.

First of all, they're not just a pile of books. Go read Harry Potter, idiot.

And secondly-

They were just a pile of books given to me by Harper.

And somehow that brought a whole new meaning to the situation.

I got to my feet slowly, dreading going outside.

Joshua has been nice to you, Noelle. Just go with it. Do something for someone else for once.

Hastily, I shrugged a sweater on before stepping out of the house, embracing the cool late February air. As I passed by Harper's house, I couldn't help but sniff a little, crazily hoping to catch a scent of his musky lemongrass scent. Disappointed, when it wasn't lingering in the air, I frowned and walked a little faster.

Finally, I reached the wide green park bathed in the golden light of the sunset. Seeing that Joshua wasn't there, I glanced down at my phone, realising that I was two minutes early. Standing around impatiently for a bit, I dazed off, daydreaming about puppies and Hermione Granger and the aching thought of Harper- before I was startled to my senses, that is.

"BOO!" Joshua yelled from behind me. I let out a shriek of surprise, before tumbling into the grass, hitting my wrist on the ground. I hissed in pain, but Joshua didn't seem to notice, clutching his stomach and laughing his head off.

"Your- face- " he choked out in between laughter. No matter how much my wrist was hurting, a couldn't help but crack a little smile, rolling my eyes sarcastically at him. I pushed myself to my feet slowly as Joshua stared at me, his hands now limp at his sides, but still chuckling with amusement.