Chapter 35: "After the Fall"
The bathroom was too quiet, except for the sound of Zariah's sobs and Jasmine's breathing.
Jasmine didn't let go.
Not when Zariah crumpled in her arms, not when her knees gave out and they both sank to the cold floor, not even when Zariah whispered, "I was really gonna do it this time."
She said it like a confession. Like a sin.
Jasmine's heart cracked wide open, but she held it together for both of them.
"I know," she said softly, stroking Zariah's hair. "I know. That's why I came."
Zariah clutched her shirt like a lifeline, fists shaking. "I didn't feel anything, Jas. Nothing. Not even scared."
"That's how it starts to win," Jasmine murmured. "When it makes you numb. But I'm here. I'm here, Zariah. And you're not doing this alone."
Minutes passed.
Or maybe hours.
They didn't move.
They just sat there on the bathroom floor like time had stopped and the rest of the world didn't matter.
Jasmine eventually glanced toward the drawer, then toward the blade Zariah had dropped. She quietly reached out, slid it out of sight, and tucked it deep in her hoodie pocket.
Zariah noticed—but said nothing.
Jasmine looked at her. "Can I clean you up?"
Zariah hesitated, then nodded slowly.
She rolled up Zariah's sleeve carefully. Her breath hitched at the sight. Fresh wounds. Deeper than the last time. Some still slowly bleeding.
She didn't speak. Didn't gasp. Just moved with quiet purpose—grabbing tissues, then the little first aid kit she always kept in her backpack now, just in case.
Zariah winced as she dabbed gently at the cuts.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, not even knowing if she meant for the blood or the pain or the silence that came before it.
"I'm just glad I got here in time," Jasmine whispered back. "That's all that matters right now."
Once the wounds were cleaned and covered, they both leaned against the wall, the chill of the tile still lingering.
Jasmine looked over. "Promise me something."
Zariah turned her head, eyes swollen and empty. "What?"
"If it gets bad again… If you ever get this close again… just text me one word. Anything. I'll come."
Zariah nodded slowly.
"I mean it," Jasmine said. "I don't care if it's the middle of the night. I'll climb through your window if I have to."
A weak laugh slipped out of Zariah's lips—a sound so rare it startled them both.
It wasn't joy.
It was survival.
And that was enough for tonight.