When Two Stars Collide

Mystery Man

I was looking over the Golden Gate Bridge, my heart jumping out of my chest as the night's cool breeze pushes against my back. Thoughts bouncing back and forth through my mind, yes or no; do I give up or try again; jump or walk away; life or death. The headlights of a silver pickup truck blinded me as I turned to look towards it, the driver pulled over and parked their car. Petrified, not knowing what was about to happen I froze. I saw a silhouette of a man, maybe six foot, walk towards me. "I don't know what the hell it is you're doing, but stop. I've been in your place and I still am, this isn't the answer." His voice, echoed. I thought to myself, he couldn't be much older than me, maybe by a year or two. I zoned out, thinking about what he said and why he even cared when I was brought back when he came over and grabbed my hand. "Were you listening at all or do I have to ask again?" I yanked my hand out of his, "Ask me what?" he chuckled and looked at me with a smirk. "What're you doing here? Why do you think that this is the right option?" I didn't know what to tell him, the truth or a lie. If what he said was true he'd understand, but if he lied he would rat me out to Ms. Anne and I'd be dead. If I lied then he'd figure it out, "Nothing's been the same since my mom died, my dad became an alcoholic and the state sent me to live in a foster home. It'll be five years since she died in May, she was the only one who listened to me and understood almost everything I said. She's the only one who accepted me for who I was and had faith in me, now I'm alone and now there's nothing else to live for." He hugged me tightly and asked if I wanted to spend the night at his place and get to know each other. I took it without hesitation, we got in the car and started to drive off. He said something to me but I could barely hear it over the music, "What?" I shouted, he bursted into tears and turned the radio down, "Sorry about that," still laughing he continued to talk, "I said what's your name?" "I'm Alex, Alex Kyle." I stuttered, "Well hello Alex, my name is Connor. Connor Jackass." I looked at him, I tried not to laugh but failed miserably. "Is that really your name? I find that hard to believe." I couldn't help but smile, I don't know what it was but something about Connor did something to me no one's been able to do for a while. "Nah, I wish. I'd pay to have people announce my name in school and see the corruption it would cause." We pulled into the driveway and got out, it was pouring rain so we sprinted in as fast as we could to his door. When I finally got inside I was soaked from head to toe and I couldn't see Connor anywhere, I said his name once and gradually got louder. I looked outside to see if he was still out there. I shouted his name out the door, "Connor!" I turned around and the next thing I knew his finger was against my mouth and he was shushing me. "I don't know if anyone's home, here I got you a towel. You can hang your coat up here and take off your shoes over there, I'll be right back. Make yourself at home" I looked around, there was a coat rack by the door and a few shoes in the corner so I assumed that's what he meant. He jumped up from around the corner, "Sorry about shushing you by the way!" he laughed a little bit and swung back around the corner. I chuckled softly as I took off my jacket and slid off my boots, shivering. I wrapped the towel around me and tried to warm myself up. Who is he? Why did he stop me from jumping? I zoned out again.