Juniper...


    As I tried to figure out where on earth I heard that name before, memories of when I was Bianca came flooding in.


    It took all my willpower not to start bawling. Not because I missed my past life, but because I never got to say goodbye to my family.


    I really did love them. Even though we rarely spent time together. My parents were always out on trips, and Felix started college when I was halfway through middle school.


    That''s when my life took a turn for the worst.


    The person my parents hired as my babysitter was clearly only in it for the money, and in the interest of keeping my life private, we had a mutual agreement to pretend when my parents were around.


    It was stupid of me. I should have let them know about the bruises.


    Shivering, Juniper... no... I rubbed my arms as goosebumps erupted across my skin. Even though this happened in another lifetime, the memories still haunted me.


    After defending the new transfer student. the bullies started to pick on me too. It went on for weeks, but I figured I could wait it out until high school. especially with my new friend.


    The poor kid wasn''t as strong as me, so I did whatever I could to ease the burden. from taking the brunt of the abuse, to giving him a portion of my allowances each week. despite whatever else I needed the money for.


    It wasn''t until the first day of high school did my already fragile world finally end.


    I squeezed my eyes shut. Trying to drown out the horrible memory. I slowly took in deep breaths as I tried to calm down. I got up and managed to make it to the bed before collapsing.


    On the first day of high school.... that memory was as clear as day. Despite how I wish it weren''t so.


    ...


    "Please, STOP!"


    The boy in front of me laughed. Big and burly, his huge arm holding on to the neck of a fragile-looking boy, whose tears slowly ran down his cheeks. his eyes shut in defeat


    "Why are you so set on saving him? didn''t he betray you?"


    That reminder was like a punch in the stomach. and when I faced the kid in question. he turned away, guilt and sadness clouding his face.


    That kid... My only friend, Leo. Why...


    The older kid laughed at my expression.


    "That''s right? Weren''t you suspicious of how he KEPT needing money? Did you not wonder how he was able to find his way to us, no matter how much you tried to avoid us? That''s because he struck a deal. and it''s been going on for almost 2 months now!"


    Two months... that''s about a week after we became friends... Has it really gone on for as long as he claims?


    Apparently so, because that speech just caused a fresh wave of tears to fall down Leo''s face.


    I sucked in a deep breath. That may be true. But I decided to help him. it was MY kindness he took advantage of. And I was the one being thrown away, seeing as Leo was moving soon. So...


    "What gives YOU the right to decide his punishment? you''re worse than he is!"


    The guy (Acacius, such a dumb name, right?) Just laughed at me, slowly pushing Leo''s trembling form closer to the edge.


    "LET HIM GO! YOUR GONNA KILL HIM!"


    Acacius snorted.


    "Why should I care?"


    The worst part was, I was only half sure he was bluffing.


    My breath caught in my throat as I realized what I had to do, I nearly threw up my breakfast at the mere thought of the risk I had to take.


    All for that idiot.


    But as I stared at the trembling, guilt-ridden form of Leo, I calmed down. I would''ve done this for anyone, I''m sure. Besides, whatever the reasons, Leo was my friend.


    I sighed, accepting my decision. Trying to fool myself into thinking that things going wrong wasn''t that big a possibility


    Being a good person sucked


    With a scream. I rushed over towards the edge of the roof where they stood. taking advantage of Acacius''s surprise to pry open his hand. in a matter of minutes, Leo was free.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Leo shouted at me, and Acacius roared in anger. "I''M NOT WORTH IT. YOU SHOULD''VE JUST LEFT! DO YOU KNOW WHAT MIGHT''VE HAPPENED!"


    Before I could remind the dumb kid of our situation, Acacius, His thoughts clouded in anger, pushed me off the ledge.


    I grabbed his arm, desperate to hold on. Leo grabbed my other, desperate to save me. we almost made it.


    I almost sighed in relief.


    Stupid. Clumsy. Me.


    I managed to slip the same moment Acacius twisted his arm free. I feel down, dragging Leo along with me.


    The last thing I saw before dying was Acacius'' horrified expression, as he realized what he''d done.


    ....