[Celeste]
He was too far away—there was no way I could reach him in time. My legs felt like lead, my body refusing to move. I panicked and the bitter voice in my head whispered that I'd fail, like I always did.
Just give up. You'll never make it.
It would've been so easy to listen to that voice. To stand there, helpless, as the inevitable unfolded. After all, wasn't that what I always did? Back down. Let things happen. Watch people die... Watch people fall.
But then, his words echoed in my head: You've never fought for anything in your life.
And it was true, wasn't it? I'd spent my whole life afraid. Afraid of failing. Afraid of looking foolish. Afraid of losing what little I had. But now, as I stood there watching someone I cared about teeter on the edge, fear wasn't enough. I couldn
