Chance

Julia and Max were polar opposites to everyone else, maybe even to themselves. But, when the stars align just right, they realize they might have a lot more in common than they suspected.

    Julia Randolf had it all. She was undoubtedly the most popular girl in school, she even had a football-playing boyfriend, Nathan Evans. Her hair was long and dark with a tinge of red when she was in the sun. Her eyes were a dazzling shade of green with a ring of hazel around the edge. She was seemingly perfect. Julia was good at just about everything, and feared only one thing: herself. And she hid something, something that would ruin everything she worked so hard to get.

    Fletcher Anderson was an outcast, a loser, if you will. He ate lunch alone, right outside the auditorium doors, where Nathan Evans wouldn't be able to find him. His head held a mop of dirty blonde hair. And his eyes were a deep shade of blue, like the night sky. He was pushed around, bullied, beaten up, and alone. But he seemed to be content, not because he was alone, but because he knew that his misery was bringing joy to others. And he was okay with that.

    One day, after school, Julia was walking to the gas station that held her favorite taco stand right outside of it. She was walking alone, of course. No one could ever go home with Julia. She could never take the risk of someone finding the one thing that she kept only for herself.

    “I’ll have two soft, please. Oh, and no tomatoes,” she said the the man working behind the counter. He gave her a quick nod and scurried off to make her food. She leaned into the side of the truck and sighed, rather loudly. She crossed one leg over the other and stuffed her hands into her pockets.

“Rough day?” A voice asked from beside her. She gasped and put her hand over her chest.

“Jesus, you almost gave me a heart attack!” She breathed, chuckling a little.

“Sorry,” he laughed. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. And yes, it has been a rough day.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling. I’m Fletcher,” he said, putting his hand out for her to shake.

“Julia,” she smiled.

“I know,” he smirked. “Everyone knows who you are. Julia Randolf: captain of the cheer squad, perfect attendance, straight A’s, dating Nathan Evans. Am I missing anything?” He smiled.

“Depressed because what you just said is all I’ll ever be,” she said under her breath, barely loud enough for him to hear.

“I get it. I mean, we obviously have different problems. But it all comes down to the same conclusion,” he surprised her by saying that. She shot him a confused look and he continued, “I saw your wrist, Julia. And it’s okay, you're not the only one,” he said, holding up his scar covered wrists. Except, a few weren't scars, they were fresh cuts. Julia knew this because she had experienced them first hand.

“You still do it?” She asked. He nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine,” he shrugged.

“It’s not. I don’t know who pushed you to this point, but it’s their fault,” she looked at him with empathy in her eyes. That’s the first time they made eye contact, and she was absolutely baffled by the beauty of his eyes. 

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“Two soft?!” The cook called from behind the counter.

“Well, that’s me. But it was nice meeting you,” she gave him a warm smile.

“Likewise,” he smiled. She took her tacos and walked back to her house, where she ate her tacos and fell asleep with thoughts of the mysterious boy from the taco bus.

###

    Fletcher woke up the next day feeling better than usual. His mind was flooded with memories of yesterday after school when he formally met his high school crush for the first time. He was surprised when he saw the scars on her wrist, and he wondered what drove her to that. Maybe he would find out eventually, but he decided not to pry yesterday. Getting ready was always easy. He wore ripped skinny jeans and a t-shirt. But what really mattered is the pep talk he gave himself every morning before school. 

“Just 7 hours. 7 hours you have to get through. You're making them happy, so it’s okay. Just go about your business. Focus in class, take notes. One day you'll be making millions, and they won’t. So just try.” He let out a breath before swinging his torn up backpack over one shoulder and walking to school. 

    When he walked into the school, he spotted Julia. He gave her a smile when they made eye contact, but just as he expected, she didn't return it. She turned back to Nathan and continued her conversation with him, giggling and smiling like a little schoolgirl. Nathan lifted his gaze from hers and caught eyes with Fletcher. 

“Hey, Fletcher! Why don't you go find someone else to stare at? She’s mine!” Fletcher looked away and continued walking to his class. “Uh-oh! Running away to cut ourselves are we?” Nathan said in fake shock. Julia laughed nervously next to him, but Fletcher saw right through her, and she knew that. So when his eyes caught hers, she quickly shut her mouth. He kept walking and repeated his daily pep talk in his head one more time. 

“Fletcher! Fletch!” A voice said from behind him as he walked to class. He turned around and rolled his eyes when he saw it was Julia.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I didn't think he would say anything like that.”

“Yeah, it’s whatever. Don’t worry about it.” He smiled weakly. He didn't want to make her feel like it was her fault that he acted that way, but he didn't like how she stood and pretended like it didn't happen. He turned around and started walking again.

“No, wait!” She grabbed his arm to stop him from walking. Her touch made him freeze in his spot, and sent lightening through his veins. “I really am sorry. And I think you're really cool. We should hang out sometime.”

“Wouldn’t that ruin your reputation around here?” He said with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m trying this new thing where I do what makes me happy,” she smiled.

He smiled at her, “Thats great,” he beamed. “Oh, here,” he said, handing her his phone. She typed in her number and quickly gave it back to him.

“Julia!” Nathan called. Julia’s expression went nervous quickly

“I-I I have to go. I’m sorry,” she quickly made her way over to Nathan, leaving Fletcher alone.

“O-Okay! I’ll call you later then,” he called to her. 

###

Later that day during lunch, Julia realized her makeup had run slightly down her face, so she went to the bathroom to fix it. On her way back to the lunchroom she spotted a familiar head of dirty brown curls by the doors of the auditorium. 

“Fletcehr?” She called out. He looked up from his lunch tray and smiled when he saw it was her. “Do you always eat over here?” She asked, walking over to him.

“Yeah. Why?” She just shrugged in response. She slid down the wall next to him. “What are you doing?” 

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“Shouldn’t you get back to the lunchroom? Won’t your friends be mad if they find you with me?”

“They might be,” she shrugged. “But like I said earlier, I'm doing what makes me happy. Besides, Ally will just go along with whatever I do. The only person here who isn't really under my control is Nathan. And he’ll be really mad if he catches me with you. Wait, I’m not really sure where I was going with this. What was I trying to explain?”

“Why your friends won’t be mad if they find you here with me,” he replied.

“Oh, right! Um, well, mostly because I kind of have this thing where everything I do is cool I guess. With mostly everyone, except Nathan. Ally will do whatever I do, Anna does whatever Ally does. It’s just kind of a never ending cycle of monkey see monkey do.” Fletcher was about to reply, but she continued. “You know, when I first met you, I thought about asking you to be friends with me and my friends. But then I realized, you probably like being alone most of the time, don't you?” She looked up to meet Fletcher’s deep blue irises.

“How did you know?” He smirked.

“Because I used to be the same way,” she muttered, looking down at her hands.

“I-“ Fletcher started, but he was cut off by the ringing of the school bell. 

“Oh, sorry. I gotta go. But call me later or something,” she smiled as she walked away to find her friends. 

    She walked over to her locker to grab her stuff before heading to class. She thought she would see her friends in the hallway, but she didn’t. Thats when she heard the familiar sound of Ally’s giggle, then a kissing sound. She followed the sound until she realized it was coming from the janitors closet. She leaned up against the door to see if she could hear who she was with. She smiled, happy that her friend had maybe found someone or something to keep her distracted from her previous boyfriend. 

    But when she heard the sound of someones voice she recognized, her smile faltered. She swung the door open, surprised it was unlocked, but even more surprised at the scene in front of her. Ally was there, but her shirt was on the floor. The shirtless boy in front of her had his hands tangled into her blonde hair, and her hand was around his waist. Her back was pressed against the shelves that were lined with bleaches and mops and other janitor type things. But what really stood out to her, was the identity of the shirtless boy.

“Nathan,” she whispered. “W-What, I-I don't understand,”

“Oh shut up Julia!” Nathan yelled. “Go hang out with mister ‘I cut myself, I hate my life, screw the world I wanna be alone blah blah blah.’ You really think I don't notice how you look at him? Because it’s the exact same way you used to look at me, and the way I’ve always looked at Ally!” He said with a devious smile playing on his lips. “Oh look! There’s prince charming now!” He said, gesturing to Fletcher, who was walking down the hall whistling a familiar tune. “Hey, Fletcher! Come get your girlfriend! Since you guys can’t seem to keep away from each other!”

“I was just, like, coming to get my apple out of my locker,” he said, holding up the apple in his hand. “I didn't even know she was out here. I’m sorry man, I’m just gonna go back to class now,” 

“Yeah yeah whatever. I don't need your life story. And you,” he said, pointing to Julia. “Stay away from me and Ally. In fact, why don't you find somewhere else to eat lunch? We don't want you anymore.” Julia was dumbfounded. She felt everything she worked so hard to get slowly crumbling away, and there’s nothing she could do about it. She ran away, to the bathroom and into the stall, where the tears started flowing.

“Julia?” Someone asked quietly.

“Who is that?” Julia sniffled.

“It’s Fletch,” he said quietly. Julia opened the stall door and walked over to where max was standing.

“I-I don’t understand Fletch. I-I don’t�"“ She stuttered. Fletcher quickly wrapped his arms around her. 

“Shh, it’s okay,” Fletcher said as he stroked her hair. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, connecting at the back. Fletcher was so upset with Nathan for making Julia feel like this. She was an amazing person and didn't deserve any sort of pain. He was scared she might relapse when she got home, or worse. Then he got an idea. “Wanna go to Rico’s?”

“Right now? We just ate lunch,” she said, looking up to meet his gaze.

“Well, after school?” 

“Of course,” she smiled. She pulled away and went to grab her bag from the floor. Before she was able to make it out, the door swung open. “Oh, hey Anna,” she muttered. Julia was expecting Anna to be on Ally’s side, but when she was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug, her expectation changed.

“I’m sorry about what Ally did. And if it’s any consolation I'm not going to sit with them anymore. I’m gonna sit wherever you do,” she smiled. Julia was happy that she still at least had one girl friend. 

“Thank you, Anna. I’m just so confused I don’t even know what to think anymore. I thought he loved me,” she sniffled.

“I know honey. We all did. Who’s this?” She gestured to Fletcher, who was still standing in the girls bathroom. 

“Oh, this is Fletcher. Fletch, Anna. Anna, Fletch.” She gestured between the two of them.

“Oh, he’s cute. You guys should date,” Anna smiled.

“Oh my goodness! We've only known each other for 24 hours!” Julia exclaimed. Fletcher felt his heart sink. Although, he knew it was true. He might have known who she was, but they had only officially met yesterday. He would never have a chance with her anyways.

###

“So, how exactly did you find this place?” Fletcher asked Julia as they waited for their tacos.

“My dad used to bring me here, before he…I mean, he used to bring me and my mother here,” she said with a deceiving smile. One that Fletcher was all too familiar with. “What about you?”

“I used to sit behind here a lot and do my homework and stuff,” he said, pointing behind the gas station that the taco bus was parked in front of. She nodded in response. “So, do you ever plan on telling me about, well, you know…”

“Why I did it?” He nodded. “Ok, well I guess I can trust you. Um, I used to get bullied a lot. I dressed, well a lot like you. Kind of punk rock, but, as you’ve seen, that’s not exactly accepted at our school. It never really bothered me because my dad would always tell me that everything was okay, and I believed him. But, when I was 14, he was killed in Afghanistan. Gosh, my mom tried so hard to make me feel the same way he did.

 “But it didn't work. No one could ever comfort me the way he did. So, when I felt like I had no one to confide in, I turned to self harm. Then, someone caught me doing it. I don’t even remember who it was because I was so out of it. But word got around, people started to find out, and so they made fun of me even worse.

“That’s when I decided I was done with it. I had my mom take me to the mall, and did my best to dress like all the popular girls. I got a job, and payed my way through therapy. I was willing to do anything to keep my mom from finding out. But it helped me stop cutting, so it was worth it. And I guess the rest is kind of history. What about you?” She asked, looking up at him.

“My parents are still around, but not really in the way I want them to be. Everything was actually really great in middle school. But when I was in 8th grade my parents split up. My mom started drinking a lot and eventually she just became full blown alcoholic. She would get really mad really easily and eventually she started hitting me.

“The night I first started cutting, was the night she hit me for the first time. A few months later one of our neighbors saw through the window. Luckily for my mom, she didn't call child services or anything. She did call my dad though. And he moved back in with us. He still lives with us now. They don't really talk to me much, so I'm pretty much on my own for breakfast and dinner. Sometime he makes dinner, if he has time.  But other than that my house is pretty chill. Everything's pretty much fine,” he shrugged.

“Wait, if everything’s fine, why do you still do it?” She asked, confused.

“If I didn’t, people wouldn't have anything to make fun of me about,” he said nonchalantly.

Julia’s eyes went wide. “Wait, you're telling me you like being bullied?”

“Well, it’s not that I like it. I just don’t care enough to do anything about it.”

“Wait, but i still don’t understand why you would continue to cut yourself for no reason.”

“Because, if I can make someone smile, even if it’s at my own expense, I'm going to try.”

“Huh, now how about that. Meanwhile, you're standing outside a taco bus with, who is most likely, the meanest girl at our school,” she shook her head.

“I don’t think you're mean at all. You may do some mean things, but that doesn't make you a bad person. I think you've been sucked in by the rules of society. The ones that tell that, because of you're ranking on the social scale, you have to be mean to people. But you're actually one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my entire life.” She scoffed in response. He chuckled a little. “Seriously! You accepted me, and that’s saying something!” He laughed. She soon joined in his laughter. Julia didn't know what would become of this, but she knew her and Max needed each other. 

###

The next day rolled around and Julia decided, since she was already back at the bottom of the totem pole, why not bust out the old red flannel and black skinnies. She wore a tattered t-shirt, with some band on the front that she couldn't quite make out because the words were so faded out. She paired it with black ‘Vans’ and didn't even curl her hair. 

“Hey,” Anna said when she saw Julia walking up.

“Hello,” she said, dragging out the ‘o’.

“So, priorities. Where are we sitting for lunch?”

“I don’t really know. Wherever I guess,” she shrugged. But in the back of her mind, she knew that was easier said than done.

“Why don’t we just sit with Fletcher?” Anna suggested.

“I mean I could ask, but I think he likes his alone time,” Julia said.

“I’m sure he wouldn't mind. Plus, he pretty much has ‘alone time’ all the time,” Anna chuckled lightly at her own words.

“Hey! He likes it. He told me it’s more fun to not have any rules to follow,” Julie defended.

“What do you mean ‘rules to follow’?” Anna asked.

“I mean, we always did what we thought everyone wanted us to do to stay where  we were on the social scale. And we never really did what made us happy,” Julia said.

“I guess you're right. I didn't really notice at the time, but now I feel different. Like I can actually be myself. Like there were,” she hesitated a minute to think over her words. “chains, you could say, holding me back.”

Julia’s expression went slightly sad, “Was that because of me?”

“No, not you specifically. Just all of us as a group kind of put us in a bad spot. We all thought we were doing the best you could in high school. Living life to its full potential. But we weren’t. We were trapped under some sort of spell and we didn't even know it. It’s so much more fun now. I mean look at me! I’m not even wearing heels today. I’m wearing ‘VANS’.” She had the biggest smile on her face. Julia loved to see her friends smile.

“I’m really happy you finally feel like you can do whatever you want. And I feel like we can be whoever we want now. It’s kind of sad if you think about it. Like, we wasted a lot of our high school years doing what society told us was the right thing to do. And we’re just now realizing that, that’s just not the case. We can dress however we want. Look at me! I’ve honestly never felt more myself,”  Julia smiled, because she was genuinely happy.

###

3 MONTHS LATER

   No matter how much she may be enjoying it, this lifestyle was hard to readjust to, for Julia at least. It felt weird not to curl her hair every morning, or go through the constant suffering of high heels. But she liked it, and it was much better than before.

“You look great today, Jules.” Julia sighed and grunted shortly before spinning on her heels to the utterly annoying voice behind her.

“What do you want, Nathan?”

“I just thought I’d tell you how sorry I am,” he pleaded. Julia rolled her eyes. “I’m not the same person I was 2 months ago. I’m changing, because I didn't realize what i really had until I lost you. I need you, and I didn't realize that until after it was too late. And for that, I’m sorry. Please, Jules, just give me another chance?” She sighed lightly, before agreeing to go on a date with him. One date, she told herself. It’s just one date.

      Well, one date turned into many, and before anyone could blink, Julia was back with Nathan. Meanwhile, Anna and Fletcher were eating lunch right outside the auditorium doors, just as they had before. The only difference was, Julia was eating  with Nathan. Fletcher and Anna had grown to be quite close, bonding over their anger towards Julia. 

“I just can’t believe her!” Anna shouted. “I mean, we were so nice to her! Especially you, I mean, she spent so much of her life making your life hell and you were still nice to her-”

“Anna..” Fletcher said.

 “And you still accepted her and let her sit with you at lunch and I mean I did too but like still I mean-“

“ANNA,” Fletcher finally raised his voice.

“What?” She looked down at him in his place against the wall.

“Calm down.” He waved his hands in a downward motion.

“You’re right. You're right. I mean she hasn't completely turned her back on us… has she?” Anna pleaded as she sat down next to him on the outer walls of the auditorium.

“Not exactly. I mean she’s been kind of a b***h but, she has a boyfriend now, and I mean, who are we to take her away from that.” He mumbles the last part.

“I know you like her, Fletch. And I know them dating is eating away at you. Especially because you know that there’s literally NO way he's being faithful, no matter what he says.” She sighs.

“Well, you've pretty much got me figured out,” he chuckled. She laughed as well. “I just feel bad for Ally-“

“Speak for yourself,” she scoffs. “I thought she was my friend. Apparently ‘friend’ means, sleep with other friend’s boyfriend, and choose other friend’s boyfriend over me when other friend finds out about the shenanigans of you and your cold-hearted, cheating, lying, betraying, back-stabbing, armpit-sucking self. Ugh I fricking hate her.” Anna sighs, coming down from her melt down.

“Mmm- wait did you just say, ‘Armpit-sucking’?” Fletcher smiles.

“Yes. I don't really know why. But, yes.” She admits and Fletcher bursts out into laughter. Causing Anna to join.

   Little did they know, Julia was watching the from right outside the bathroom door. Watching them laugh and talk and have fun, without her. She felt a bit of nostalgia from those few weeks she was sitting there with them. She missed it. And she missed them. But Nathan was holding her back, she couldn't get away from him. Not even for a second. 

   She started to feel slightly jealous of them being able to do what they want whenever they want while she’s stuck hanging out with just Nathan. She loved Nathan, but aren't you supposed to want to spent all your time with the person you love? Maybe she didn't love him like she thought she did. Maybe she had feelings for someone else and that’s why she didn't feel the same about Nathan. Either way, love or not, Nathan was her boyfriend and she just could not ditch him to sit with her friends, right?

   Suddenly her eyes were locked with those of a deep blue. She immediately pulled back behind the wall she was leaning past and took a deep breath, looking down. She decided, she was going to sit with them tomorrow. Nathan would be mad, but he’d get over it. She was mostly worried about if they would accept her back or not. Honestly, she had no room to blame them if they didn’t. She treated them horribly and she deserves whatever bad things they had to say about her. 

###

Fletcher’s breath hitched in his throat when his eyes locked with hers.

Anna looked at him with wide eyes and an amused little smile. “What just happened?” she chuckled.

“A, I think Julia is watching us right now.” He swallowed hard.

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I just made eye contact with her while she had half her body poked out from behind a wall,” he explained as if it was normal.

Julia rolled her eyes. “That doesn't mean she’s watching us. She probably was just trying to see what we were doing.” Fletcher gave Anna a moment to process what had come out of her own mouth. “Ooooohh, yeah. Why is she watching us?!” Anna finally shouted.

  Julia’s eyes went wide when she heard Anna’s shout. “Crap,” she muttered to herself. She ran down the hall to her locker rather than back to the lunchroom in fear of being seen by Fletcher and Anna. 

“Anna, stop yelling,” Fletcher chuckled.

“Sorry, sorry. That just is confusing to me. She’s probably upset because she’s stuck in the lunchroom with Ally, who hates her guts, and Nathan, whose guts she secretly hates.”

“She doesn't hate his guts, obviously,” he sighed.

“Maybe not hate. But she does have despise for him. Somewhere, in that little heart of gold she's got,” she rolled her eyes.

Fletcher chuckled. “I know. But obviously the love outweighs the hate. Or ‘despise.’” He put the word in quotes. 

“Well, why don't we just stop thinking about it, and talking about it, especially. Starting tomorrow, she's not worth our time. Cool?” Anna looked up at Fletcher.

“Cool, “ he smiled.

  Julia felt a warm tear roll down her cheek as she heard her say that. ‘She’s not worth our time.’ She’s right, Julia thought. Julia didn't deserve friends like them. She didn't deserve anyone, really, did she? After all, she’d faked her way to the top, and stayed there for a hot minute, then dropped back to the bottom. Rock bottom, she told herself. She had hit rock bottom, and she didn't even notice until now. 

  She had lost the 2 best friends she’s ever had. She’s back with her cheating ex. She’s sitting at a lunch table and pretending to be friends with the girl her boyfriend cheated on her with. She’d even considered cutting a few days ago. It was just a thought, really. She pushed it aside immediately, though. But it still scared her, because she hadn't even thought about it since before she started dating Nathan all those years ago. And now, here she was, thinking about it again. And again, she was scared.

###

2 DAYS LATER

“I’m really glad we went a whole day without thinking about the whole Julia thing,” Fletcher said the Anna. In between eating his food.

“Yeah, I think its been good for us. I mean, it doesn't make me nearly as mad thinking about it anymore,” she said.

“Yeah-“ Fletcher started, but was cut off by Nathan’s angry snarl above him.

“Where is she?” He groaned. Fletcher looked up, connecting his eyes with Nathan’s.

“Who?” Fletcher said.

“Julia, you imbecile,” Nathan spat.

“How would I know?” Fletcher rolled his eyes.

“I don’t know! She’s just not answering my calls and she’s not here so,” Nathan rolled his eyes back.

“Well, she’s probably just sick, buddy.” 

“She would still answer my calls.”

“Well, go check on her or something. I don't know what to tell you,” Fletcher said.

“I can’t! I already skipped one class today. I barely got away with it, so if I get caught again I’m gonna ride the bench at Friday’s game.”

“So what, you want me to go check on her?” Fletcher asked.

“Yes, I guess that’s what I'm saying.”

“Well me and Anna have free period now, so I guess we’ll go. You down, Anna?” Fletcher looked over at her.

“I don’t really want to, but I guess I’ll go,” she sighed.

“We’re going.” Fletcher looked back up at Nathan.

“Okay, be back soon and tell me what the hell is going on,” Nathan said. Fletcher rolled his eyes as he stood up. He reached out his hand to help Anna up.

“We’ll be back next period. Let’s go, A.”

They took Anna’s car, seeing as Fletcher had never been to Julia’s house. Anna herself had only been there once or twice to pick her up and whatnot. When they finally arrived Fletcher rang the doorbell of the Randolph house, expecting Julia’s mother, but getting no response. He checked to see if the door was unlocked, and to his surprise, it was. They went inside cautiously. They called for Julia but got no response. Fletcher told Anna to look around downstairs while her went up. He looked through all the rooms until he found her sleeping soundly in a room that must’ve been hers. He smiled slightly, and sighed, realizing she must’ve just overslept. He almost didn't want to wake her up. She looked so peaceful, like she had no worries. Against his wishes, he shook her slightly.

“Julia? Jules?” He said softly. “Come on, Jules. Anna, come here!” She came running in the room.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She asked with a worried expression.

“I-I don’t know. She won’t wake up.” He muttered worriedly. Anna quickly grabbed her wrist and saw that she had some fresh cuts.

“Max, max,” she nudged him.

“Yeah?” He looked over his eyes went wide when he saw her wrists.

“Oh no. We have to call someone,” He stuttered.

“Who?”

“911!” He yelled.

“Okay, okay. I got it.” She quickly dialed the number and told them the situation. They said they were on the way and would be there soon. Fletcher held her hand until they got there, and then when they loaded her onto the ambulance, he struggled to let her go.

###

Suicide. It takes lives everyday. Luckily for Fletcher, today was not the day he would have to experience that tragedy. The doctors told Julia’s parents she had ingested large amounts of prescription pills. They told Fletcher and Anna what happened and thanked them for going out to look for her. Fletcher couldn't help but think what would have happened had he got there any slower than he did. But really he was just worried about Julia’s current state. The doctor said she would have to sleep overnight in the hospital, and then she could go home. Fletcher had been building up the courage to go talk to her for hours, and he finally felt like he was finally ready. He walked into the room where Anna and her had been talking.

“Can I have a minute, A?” He nervously looked down at her. 

“Of course.” She stood up, allowing Fletcher to take her seat. When he heard the door click shut, he locked eyes with Julia.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“I’m so sorry, Fletch,” she muttered softly, tears welling at the corner of her eyes.

“For what?” He asked.

“All this. Dragging you into this. You shouldn't have been the one to find me,” she sniffled.

“I’m glad I was,” he said. He grabbed her hand. “Why did you do it?”

“I thought I lost you,” she whispered.

“Yeah, I know the feeling,” Fletcher whispered. “But you know you could never really lose me, right? You could literally kill my whole family and you’d still have me.” He laughed.

“Oh my gosh! Stop,” She laughed.

“Seriously! I have a weird infatuation with you that I can’t seem to shake and I feel like I would honestly take a bullet for you.”

Julia didn't really know how to respond, so she smiled and looked back down at their intertwined fingers. “I would rather take the bullet myself than live without you.” She chuckled to herself. “This is just so confusing. I mean, I thought I was supposed to love Nathan. I can’t imagine a world where anyone’s in my future except him. But now, I can't even see him in my present,” she sighed.

“Well you don't have to worry about that one anymore.” They heard a deep voice behind them. “My mom called me. She’s an RN. Said she saw you in here and thought I should come check on you.”

“Nathan-“ Julia started.

“You know, it’s funny,” he chuckled dryly. “I thought this relationship was doing as much good for you as it was for me. You made me a better person. And now, I don’t even know what that means.” He turned on his heels and walked out without another word.

Julia and Fletcher shared a look before Fletcher went running down the brightly lit hospital hallway. 

“Nathan!” Fletcher called. Nathan looked back at him and stopped.

“What?” he groaned.

“I understand you don't like me. But, if you care for Julia at all, give her a chance to explain. She’s got a lot going on right now. She could use as much support as possible. I get that you don't want to hear this, or anything, from me. But just go talk to her. You'll regret it if you don’t.” Nathan blinked once slowly and took a deep breath before agreeing. 

“Hey,” Julia breathed as he walked into the room and took a seat at the infamous bedside-chair. “I’m so sorry Nathan.”

“I just want to know if there was something I could've done differently. To make you stay.” Julia shook her head rapidly. “Because I know I haven’t been the best person, but for you, I put all my crap aside because I want you to see me for the person you think I am. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be that person for you, Julia. I just wish you would've told me you felt like this. You're just the only constant in my life and I couldn't imagine losing you,” Nathan sighed.

“There was nothing you could’ve done. There’s nothing anyone could’ve done. I didn't tell you or Fletcher or Anna or anyone because I didn’t want to be stopped. I’m sorry you couldn't have been the one to find me.”

“If I would've known I would’ve gotten kicked out of school before I let Fletcher go in my place.”

“Hey, this may not be the best time. But, now that you've experienced it, try to lay off Fletch a little. He’s a good guy and he doesn't deserve all this anymore.”

“You’re right. I-I know I’ve been a bad person, but I’m going to try. I don't want to be this person anymore. I’ve seen what is does now, and I want people to stop thinking that this is what I want for them, because I don’t. I don't want to have to come visit anyone else in this hospital and I don't want any else to ever feel like I feel right now. I feel like I’m breathing a constant sigh of relief, even if this has made you realize you want Fletcher more than me. Were you serious about that, by the way?” He looked back up at her.

  She nodded her head slowly. “But not how I said it. I still want you to be in my life, just not romantically. You've been a huge part of my life and I can’t just cut you out. I may not love you, but I still care about you. I mean, I do love you, just not-“

“Just not in the way I love you,” he looked down at his feet. “It’s okay, I understand. You and fletcher are good together, and you know I just want you happy, okay? So do me a favor, go be happy,” he smiled before walking out, allowing Fletcher back in. Julia smiled to herself and breathed a sigh of relief.

  Fletcher looked at her with an unknown emotion in his eyes. “So how was it?” He asked.

“As good as it could’ve been, I guess,” she shrugged. But really, she knew it was deeper than that. She felt like that was the best conversation she’d had with Nathan in some time.

“So, are you sad I found you?” Fletcher asked. She just shrugged in response.

“I think I am. I’m mostly just glad you stayed after you did.”

“Of course I stayed. You mean the world to me. And I don't know how I would gone on had I not found you.”

“I love you,” she blurted out. Fletcher raised his eyes from his hands to her eyes. He smiled widely and flicked his eyes down to her lips. Then up to her eyes, then back down to her lips. Julia’s heart was pounding in her chest, and Fletcher felt like he might pass out. Julia took matters into her own hands after a while. She kissed him, and she felt in in her toes. In. Her. Toes.

  She loved him, this random kid from the taco stand that somehow went from her best friend, to a stranger once again, to her literal lifesaver, to the person she was in love with. She didn't know how it happened, but she wasn't complaining. Nor was she upset. She was content, odd for someone who was sitting in a hospital bed after an attempted suicide. But she was, and she knew it.

###

6 MONTHS LATER - GRADUATION

“Julia Randolf!” The announcer said. Julia walked out onto the stage and looked down at her mom, who had tears in her eyes and a smile playing widely on her lips. After everyone had been called up, the graduates immediately threw their caps up in the air and ran outside where they ripped their gowns off to reveal their expensive outfits hidden underneath. Fletcher and Julia shared a kiss in the courtyard.

“So cute!” Anna said as she looked down at her phone, where it was obvious she had taken a picture of the 2 kissing. Fletcher and Julia rolled their eyes. But Julia secretly hear Fletcher ask her to send it to him, which she smiled at.

 

  Fletch and Julia  had never been happier than when they were together. Julia and Fletcher were 6 months clean, without the help of therapy, only with the help of each other. They were each other’s rock and salvation. The both of them could barely get by without each other. They loved each other and longed for each other every second of the day. They were the most random, inconvenient, unideal, and best thing that had ever happened to each other.