AUTHORS NOTE: I am so sorry I have not updated/posted new chapters in the last week. I have finals coming up so I have been studying a lot but I'm trying to make more time to write.

Last night I hardly got any sleep. The whole night Ryder was throwing pillows at me in a attempt to make me annoyed. Not only throwing pillows at my face, everytime I told him to turn off the T.V, he would turn up the volume. I'm suprised we didn't get any noise complaints from other people on our floor.

"Wake up." A voice whispered, rudely interrupting my sleep.

I groaned and turned to my left side, away from the voice.

"Psst, Autumn."

"Shut uppp." I mumbled, pulling the covers over my head.

"Autumn, wake the fuck up already!"

"No."

"Fine," Ryder sighed, giving up and walking away.

Finally he left me alone.

...well atleast I thought.

In a split second, Ryder ripped the covers off of me.

With eyes closed I even know the window was wide open, due to the cold air that rushed over my skin.

Goosebumps formed on my skin and I shivered.

I hate the cold.

"RYDER!!!" I yelled while sitting up. "What the hell is wrong with y-''

On the kitchen counter was a tray with delicious breakfast foods. There were two glasses; one filled to the top with apple juice and the other filled with water. Next to the apple juice was a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and French toast.

The one thing that really caught my eye was the red rose that laid next to the plate. It was a beautiful dark red that had glitter on the petals.

I was stunned. No one has ever done something so nice for me ever. Why would Ryder do all this?

Ryder picked up the rose from the tray and twirled it with his fingers. "Did you know the color red represents good luck in Asia?"

My mouth was wide open as I tried processing what was going on. Did he really do this...for me?

Ryder looked into my eyes and smiled. His cute smile made me feel comfortable and warm despite the cool breeze that filled the room.

He grabbed my hand and placed the rose in it, "Yeah, I had no idea either. The lady at the flower shop told me-''

"Wait." Now I was able to process what was going on. "You left the hotel? You know we're not allowed to leave unless we are with the group, right?"

He innocently smiled. "You know I don't care, right?"

I covered my face with my hands and sighed, "you could have gotten us in so much trouble for sneaking out."

"But I didn't. Win win situation am I right?"

Before I could tell him he was wrong, he walked over to the kitchen bar and pulled out a seat for me.

"Hurry up and eat or we're going to be late."

Getting out of bed, I walked over to the bar and sat in the chair. "Where did you get all this food?"

"Well I-''

"Wait wait wait. Why are you being so nice?"

"Because-''

"Is there a catch? Do you want something or-''

Ryder laughed, "chill out. I don't want anything. I was just making breakfast for myself and figured I should make you some too."

"Oh...thank you so much."

He shrugged like it was nothing. "Pfft, no need to thank me."

"Actually I do. You see, no ones really ever made me a nice breakfast before so I really appreciate it."

His eyes widened. "Really? No one ever?"

I shook my head, "no one."

We stayed in a moment of silence until he clasped his hands together and smiled brightly. "First time for everything!"

Taking a bite of the French toast, I smiled. "Yeah."

***

The group of students, Mr. Evans, a couple other teachers, and our tour guide entered the big elevator.

"A few daredevils in the past have parachuted from the observation deck we are heading up to," our tour guide stated. "But please do not act immaturely and be so much as a 'dare devil'."

My eyes landed on the screen that showed what floor we were on as the elevator continued to go up.

76...

77...

78...

"hey," Ryder bumped me with his arm to get my attention, "should I parachute off the building? That would be pretty sick, eh?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Be my guest. But just letting you know in advanced, I won't show up at your funeral."

Before Ryder could throw some (most likely idiotic) remark at me, Betty, the tour guide, began to speak again.

"It took only 410 days to construct the Empire State Building, which is much faster than you would think."

"Also another fun fact; a race up the stairs to the eighty-sixth floor is held annually and athletes climb a total of 1,576 stairs. So if you ever come back and visit, make sure to bring your athletic shoes!"

99...

100...

101...

102...

Ding!

The elevator doors opened.

Our group walked outside onto the observation deck.

"The Empire State Building has a total of 102 floors." Our tour guide informed us as we reached the top floor. "We are currently on the one hundred and second floor."

Hold up. Did she just say one hundred and two floors?!!?!??

Betty smiled at all the students. "Feel free to take pictures and walk around the deck as you please."

All the kids hurried to the outskirts of the deck and peered over the edge of the railing to see the city below us.

I didn't hurry though. My legs slowly and hesitantly moved me to the edge.

My hands tightly griped the handle as I peered over. When my eyes got a good look of the city below me, I realized that we were really high up. Higher than I expected.

Holy shittttttt.

"By the way everyone," Betty said out of the blue, "the Empire State Building is about 1,454 feet tall. Isn't that splendid?!"

Please stop with all the facts, Betty. You're going to give me a heart attack!!

I placed my hand over my heart and was suprised at how fast it was beating.

Sure I have fears. I mean doesn't everybody atleast have some type of fear? Like for instance some have the fear of spiders, reptiles, or even the dark.

I've always had different fears. But right now, I have never been so scared in my entire life.

My body went stiff, sweat tricked down my forehead, and my heartbeat was beating at the speed of light.

Grace rested her hand on my shoulder, "hey Autumn, are you okay?"

I know I am safe since I'm with the group, but something about being this high up is the least safe thing in the world.

What if the building collapses while I am up here? What if someone pushes me off the edge and I plummet to my death? What if there is a nuclear bomb planted in the building and-

Shutting out my thoughts, I inhaled a shaky breath.

"G-Grace?"

"Yes?"

I gulped nervously. "I t-think I'm afraid of h-heights."

Grace wrapped her arm around me with comfort. "Autumn, try to relax. We are safe, trust me ok?"

Since I felt paralyzed, I could only turn my head to look at her. "I'm going to pass out if I don't get out of here. Literally my heart is going to explode out of my chest. This is so freaking scary why do people ever come this high up?!"

My lips kept moving at a fast pace and words that did not make sense came out as panick and anxiety overwhelemed me.

How amazingly tragic is it to go on this trip only to get away from my father, which I fear, in order to get to New York and face a way bigger fear which is heights?

I must be cursed. Yup, that's definetly it.

My senses weren't really intact so I barely noticed Ryder come up to me and Grace.

"Is there something wrong with her? She looks more pale than a ghost." Ryder observed my current state, worry laced his voice.

It was even colder at this altitude so my shivering, goosebumps, and teeth-chattering were on over drive.

Grace removed her arm from around me. "Apparently she's afraid of heights."

"Hmmm. I wonder why she wasn't afraid on the plane ride or the elevator."

"Probably because in both of those situations we were inside. But now that we aren't, that fear has finally come to life." Grace figured, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

"I need to get out of here or get inside atleast." I whispered through my gritted teeth.

Grace sighed, "I can take you-''

"No," Ryder cut her off, "I'll take care of Autumn."

Grace looked at him with unease. "Um ok, fine. If you say so. But please tell me if I need to be of any assistance."

He nodded, "roger that."

When Grace walked away, Ryder grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

On the inside of the 102th floor was a gift shop and a coffee store with some tables and chairs.

Automatically I felt warm since the heaters were blasting hot air.

Ryder sat me down in one of the chairs and pulled up a chair right in front of me.

"Here, take my jacket." He said as he started to take it off.

"No no no," I stopped him, "you need it. It's really cold and-''

"I'm fine. You're not. Just let me give you my damn jacket, Autumn."

Giving in, I put on his jacket. "Ok fine but can you go back with the group. I don't want to ruin this once-and-a-lifetime experience for you. Go out and have fun, I'll be okay in here."

"Even though I've only know you for a couple months, I'd rather care for you than do anything." Ryder whispered so quietly that I barely heard.

Actually, I couldn't hear anything he just said. Must be the altitude and my ears got plugged or the constant shivering.

"What?" I scooted my chair a little closer in order to hear him repeat what he just said.

His cheeks turned red and he looked at the ground. "Nothing nothing. I didn't say anything."

I snuggled into his jacket more. "Oh alright."

My eyes met his and immediately, I was pulled in.

His brown eyes sparkled with emotion.

So...much...emotion.

A thousand emotions consumed into the strongest one of all. The look in his eyes was trying to send a message but I couldn't decipher it.

"What are you staring at?" I asked him, feeling a little nervous under his gaze.

His eyes didn't sparkle anymore. Instead, they were laughing at me.

"You know I'm going to make fun of you for being a scaredy cat, right?"

Annoyed, I rolled my eyes. Of course he will make fun of me. Of course.

"You're a jackass. I hope you know that." I spat in furry while he seemed to be enjoying himself.

He winked at me, "practically my middle name."

I glared at him. It should be his first, middle, and last name.

"Shut up," I demanded.

"Ok. But first, want me to buy you a hot chocolate?"

And just like that he was back to 'caring'.

I stared at him with puzzlement. One minute he's a jackass, the next he's caring.

Jesus Christ, this boy confuses me.