Ashley stood a foot away from the edge. She had been standing here for the last five minutes fixated on what lay beyond the ground beneath her feet. She peered over the edge feeling the wind grow stronger in anticipation as she trembled.

The wind blew across her face and she breathed it in. Forcing herself to relax and enjoy the moment of exhilaration. Closing her eyes she savoured the initial excitement that stirred inside. Fixed to the spot she didn't dare move, she wanted to feel alive not tip over the edge.

Taking a deep breath she allowed her senses to come alive with the excitement of being so close to danger. Slowly she exhaled finding an inner peace at the heightened thrill.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Ashley."

The intrusive male voice startled her and she looked back to see a boy she recognised standing a few feet away watching her. She put her hand to calm her hammering heart which felt like it was about to break free from her chest. He looked at her with interest, not concern. An emotion she had expected in the circumstances as she knew what it looked like.

"That's a long way down," he said taking a step closer to peer over the edge. His stance casual with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Her mind was still reeling from his unexpected presence. Maddox Larson. He was dressed in faded blue jeans with a black Metallica shirt and a worn leather jacket. His eyes a light brown, almost amber colour looked passed her for a moment before they settled back on her face.

She swallowed. The cause for her nervousness was not clear. Was it the fact that he had caught her in a private moment or was it the effect of a direct look from him? Trying to keep his gaze was like attempting to look directly at the blazing sun.

His cocky confidence was in the way his stood watching her. She didn't really know him but she knew of him. Every girl in her school knew exactly who he was and most of them would kill be to have his attention. He was a troublemaker, he spent more time in detention than she did in cheerleading practice. They passed each other in the school corridors, all she really knew of him was from his reputation.

His usual eyes with perfect features made him a hit with the girls and the bad boy reputation secured their hearts. But not hers. She was indifferent to his ability to charm the majority of the girls in their school. Her life was messed up she didn't need any more complications and he had complicated written all over him.

"No open coffin if you take this option."

His words made her frown.

"They'll have to scrap you off the ground." He paused. "You know there are easier ways."

Her frown deepened and her hand dropped from her chest. She was unsure of how to explain what she was doing standing on the edge of a cliff. She brought her focus back down to the valley below her feet.

"Pills would be less painful. A handful of tablets and you drift off to sleep. Personally that would be my choice."

"Aren't people supposed to talk people out of things like this?" She found herself asking, surprising herself. "Not talking them into it."

"There isn't much I can say if you've made your mind up."

She could have told him she wasn't suicidal and end the whole topic but she didn't want to be forced to reveal her inner insecurity that she didn't feel like everyone else. At times she wondered if there was something wrong with her but she shoved the thought away.

Thoughtfully she bit her lip. Ending her life wasn't something she was contemplating but how did explain her reason for being there?

"That's not what I'm doing," She felt obliged to explain but she didn't elaborate making it clear she wasn't going to tell him anything more.

"Really? You could have fooled me." His voice light and teasing.

A normal person would have called help and tried to talk her into abandoning her objective but there was nothing normal about Maddox Larson. In his presence and under his scrutiny she felt nervous.

"Why are you here?" She refused to look at him. Each time she allowed her eyes to meet his she felt an immediate response that had nothing to do with the dangerous position she was in.

The sound of his footsteps grew closer, confirming he wasn't leaving.

"I like it out here. It's quiet."

He was here for peace and she was here for a thrill.

"I never took you for a nature lover." She threw at him over her shoulder.

She didn't know him very well but it didn't seem to fit in with what she knew about him.

"There's lots of things you don't know about me." This time there was no playfulness. "I didn't know you like to play with death."

"What do you want Maddox?" She asked, feeling annoyed he was invading her space. She had assured him it wasn't what he thought it was. Why couldn't he leave it at that?

"Nothing. I'm just keeping you company."

Briefly she closed her eyes feeling frustration mingle with her growing anger. He began to whistle slightly, the sound grated on her nerves.

"I want to be alone," she breathed softly hoping it would be enough to make him leave.

"Can't do that." His voice was closer than before. "Someone has to call the authorities after you jump."

Her frustration vibrated through her with anger and she shot him a glare over her shoulder. Then he did the unexpected again. Despite the full force of her anger he smiled. The full effect slammed into her chest. She swear her heart stuttered before it started up again and she found her breath. The only time she ever felt that same thrill was when she teetered on the edge of danger.

In that moment she knew Maddox was dangerous to her, like the nothingness beyond the edge of the cliff.

She didn't think in all the time she had ever known him she had ever seen him smile. He usually walked around with a half scowl on his face.

"It would be a waste." His eyes swept appreciatively over her and her skin burned under his gaze. She shivered slightly.

"What do you mean?" her frown deepened.

"You're hot," he stated with a one shoulder shrug like it was a fact, rather than an opinion.

Despite her irritation with him she couldn't stop herself from reacting to his compliment. She felt herself blush. Was he just saying that to keep her distracted as he believed she wanted to jump?

"I'm not going to jump," she assured him before moving her attention back to the ground below her.

"Then step away from the edge Ashley." It was the first time in their short conversation there was seriousness edge to his voice.

He had made it clear he wasn't going to leave so it left her with no option but to step backward. Then another two steps back and she turned slowly to face him. He studied her closely.

"I wasn't going to jump." She felt compelled to repeat and shrugged when he gave me a disbelieving look. It didn't matter if he believed her or not.

Standing so close to him she realised how tall he was. Passing him in the halls she have never taken notice that she only reached his shoulder.

"Then what are you doing?" he asked with a thoughtful look.

How did she explain that it gave her a rush she rarely felt in day to day life? Most days she trudged through each hour feeling numb. A slight breeze lifted her skirt slightly and stopped it from lifting higher with her hand.

"It's none of your business," she told him wanting to put a stop to his prodding questions.

Catching her in a private moment was bad enough, she wasn't going to tell him her reasons why. They weren't friends, they were nothing. They had never even talked before and she didn't expect that to change after today.

"I'm not suicidal." He didn't react to her words. Staring into his eyes she noticed what an unusual colour they were.

He seemed to see deeper than anyone else had bothered to look. He was so self assured unlike her, she felt like a mess trying to keep the curtains closed so no one would see.