see you tomorrow, Jimmy.
1089 Words
It’s…”
That was all I managed to say before Gabriel’s voice sliced through the silence like a whip.
“Jimmy! Bro, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Simon stiffened. I saw it in the way his eyes dimmed, his entire body folding into itself. In one smooth, practiced motion, he slammed the book shut, stuffed his books into his bag, and stood.
“Simon, wait,” I said, but he didn’t even glance back. He walked out of the library so fast it felt like he was trying to outrun something—me.
I moved to follow, instinct kicking in, but Gabriel grabbed my arm.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to catch up to him. He’s not okay.”
Gabriel didn’t let go. His grip was firm. “Jimmy… you need to give him time. And space. Let him breathe.”
I shook my head, frustration bubbling in my chest. “I’m not trying to overwhelm him. I just don’t want him to be alone. It’s dangerous to be alone when you feel that broken.”
Gabriel looked at me like he was measuring every word I just said. Then, gently, he let out a breath.
“Sometimes people need to be alone to process. Especially someone like him. He barely knows you, man. And right now, kindness can feel a lot like pity when you’re hurting.”
I hated how right he sounded. My fists clenched. “I’m not pitying him.”
“I know that. But he doesn’t.”
I stood there, torn between chasing after someone who clearly didn’t want me near and listening to the friend who knew me best.
Eventually, I let the silence swallow the decision. My arms dropped to my sides. I nodded.
“Alright,” I said softly. “Okay.”
Gabriel gave me a small smile. “C’mon. Let’s head to yours. I’m kicking your ass in FIFA today.”
The next day came as quick as a blink, the sun was out, but it didn’t make much of a difference. Not in my chest at least.
I sat by the sidelines of the football field, yelling stupid things to cheer Gabriel on like, “Use your legs, not your face!”—but even my jokes felt hollow.
Then… It happened.
My chest began to tighten—like someone was slowly squeezing my lungs. I tried to blink it off, rub my chest even, but something told me to look up. Not just anywhere. UP!.
I turned toward the school building, and my entire world froze still.
Simon was standing at the edge of the rooftop.
Right there.
At the very Edge.
My heart slammed so hard against my ribs, I thought I was dying. I was already on my feet before I knew it, sprinting into the building.
“Jimmy?!” I heard Gabriel shout, “What’s going on?!”
I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t even think. I just ran.
I ran like someone’s entire life depended on my legs.
I slammed through the building doors, skipped two, three steps at a time, tripping and scraping my knee as I forced my body to fly up the stairs. Blood rushed in my ears. My hands were shaking.
Finally I saw the rooftop door.
I burst through it—and there he was.
Simon. Still standing at the edge staring blankly at the ground.
“Simon!” I yelled, breathless, desperate. I sprinted toward him and grabbed him with every ounce of strength I had, yanking him back from the edge.
But he struggled.
He screamed.
“Let me go!”
“No!”
“LET ME GO, JIMMY!”
He pushed. I held tighter. He hit my chest but I didn’t care. I wasn’t letting him go.
“Simon—please! Don’t do this!”
“You don’t understand!” he cried, his voice cracking and trembling. “I have no right to be alive!”
“Then take me with you.”
Everything stilled.
Simon froze in my arms. His fists stopped moving. His breathing was ragged.
I whispered again, “If you’re going to jump, take me with you. Because I’m not letting you go.”
He looked at me like I had spoken in a language no one had ever dared use with him before.
“You don’t even know half the truth,” he whispered.
I looked him in the eye, holding his face between my hands now. “I don’t need to. Not until you’re ready. But when you are… I’ll be here and I’ll listen without judging.”
And just like that—he broke.
Simon fell. Not off the building. But into me.
Crying, shaking, breaking apart in my arms.
I held him. I didn’t say a word. I just… held him.
The wind brushed against us, cold and cruel, but I didn’t let go. We stayed there—two broken boys on a rooftop—with nothing but silence, wind, and pain between us. And somehow, that felt like everything.
Hours later, long after the school had emptied out, we climbed down together.
I carried his bag while he walked ahead, just a few steps. He didn’t say much, but every now and then, he’d turn around. Just a glance.
And when he did he'd give me a half smile.
It was small.
But real.
It felt like he was turning around to make sure I was still with him.
When we got to his front door, he finally turned to me fully.
He reached out and took his backpack. “Thank you,” he said.
His voice was soft, but his eyes—his eyes were alive again. It was just a little but it was lovely.
I handed the bag over, unsure of what to say, so I just nodded and turned to leave. I didn’t want to overstay, I knew my presence irritated him and I didn't want it to turn to hatred.
But then—
“See you tomorrow, Jimmy.”
I stopped, my feet froze to the floor.
My heart… it just stopped.
I turned slowly, not sure if I had imagined it all in my head.
But he was already halfway inside his house.
Maybe he said it because he felt he had to.
Or maybe… he meant it.
But I didn’t care.
I smiled like an i***t the whole way home.
Because whatever it was… I was so looking forward to tomorrow.
- Writer
