JASON

…

« Yaaaahoooo! I am on top of the world! » the boy screamed, raising his arms in sign of victory. He was standing very precariously on the summit of the tallest skyscraper of the city. Not even on the actual roof, just on the tip of the antenna. His feet could barely fit within the surface and to say that it was a risky position to be in, would be an understatement. Yet for some reason that boy didn’t seem to care. Tanned skin tone, brown hair and blue eyes. He was evidently very young, wearing a pair of jeans and a purple hoodie.

« What the hell…how did you get up there?...No, GET DOWN THIS INSTANT! Don’t you see how dangerous that is??? » the guardian of the roof had apparently heard his scream and came out to check the situation. Surely, he was note expecting to find a teenager up on the very tip of that colossal building. Nor did he want to deal with a dead high school boy during his shift.

« I am sorry gramps, but the view from up here is just the best! You should try it. I can see the entire city…all the other skyscrapers saluting me like their king…and people and cars seem like little toys, or ants…only the sky above me… ».

The guardian, in his thirty-five years of service had never seen something like that. That kid was completely out of his mind. A total nutcase. He could understand teenagers’ hormones and stuff like that, but that was an outright desire for death!

The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if to inhale the feeling that he was experiencing. The guardian was shaking in panic.

« …this is what Freedom feels like gramps…what it tastes and smells like…Pure, Absolute Freedom…».

The guardian looked horrified, as the kid leaned back and just…let himself go. From that height, with that little jump, he easily went beyond the rooftop barrier and straight down the side of the skyscraper. That crazy boy had just launched himself to the ground from the tallest point in the city.

Without being able to even emit a sound, the old man instinctively ran towards the hedge of the building, looking down. Considering the height, he would probably see the boy still falling…and then the moment when…

But there was nothing. Not a boy falling. Not a corpse on the ground. Not a crowd of screaming people.

Just the usual city. And the birds. And the sky.

That kid had just disappeared in front of his eyes.

…

« Hey beautiful, I don’t think I have met you yet ».

The girl turned around, with a slightly dazed look on her face. She was used to be hit on, but not from high school kids. How old was that boy? Fifteen? Sixteen at best?

« Ok kid, I appreciate the courage, but you are punching a little bit out of your league here. Aren’t you too young to be hitting on college girls? In fact, how did you even get in here » she rightfully asked considering that that club was supposed to be 18+ only.

« Maybe I am young, or maybe I just look young. What does it matter? What matters is that I am fun and…I bring fun! » with the most natural gesture he could do, he took out a roll of bills from his pocket and waved it in the air. Were those…five hundred dollars bills? « To be clear, I am not trying to buy your time or anything, I would never dare to! But hey, you are a beautiful lady and you look like someone fun to hang around with. And I am sure your friends are too. So why don’t you talk with them and bring them over here? I can definitely use some company and…well, I am sure you can use some free booze, right? » he winked.

The girl laughed, enjoying the “sales pitch” of the boy. Did all high schoolers have that much confidence these days? They definitely did not have that much money.

« Fine…I’ll go talk to my friends and see what they say…I am Bella by the way. How do I call you, mystery kid? » she put her hand forward for the boy to shake.

« You can call me Jason » he answered, as he lightly touched her hand with his and leaned forward mimicking a kiss on the hand, making the girl giggle.

…

« Oh. My. God. I can’t believe this! » a dark-skinned girl with flamboyant afro hair and e beautiful blue dress, was addressing one of her friends next to her.

« Bella is seriously kissing a high school kid! » she almost screamed, her voice reaching pitches high enough to be considered noise pollution. The other four girls she was sit with echoed her noises. Every one of them, including some very dazzled passers-by, was looking at a very unusual duo kissing passionately. A flaming hot college girl, probably in her early twenties, with black hair, blue eyes and a smoking red dress. And with her tongue in his mouth, a…teenager with a white t-shirt and messy hair. Definitely not a scene you see everyday. Why the hell was she kissing him?

A few options come to mind. Perhaps she decided to give this kid some story to tell or something to remember. Perhaps it was a little prize for the fun (and free alcohol) he had brought. Perhaps she was just black-out drunk. Probably a mix of all three.

« Can I tell you a secret, Bella? » the boy said, as he stopped the kiss and grabbed her hands. She nodded, looking in his eyes.

Perhaps there was another explanation. Or at least, another factor to consider. Maybe, just maybe, there was something just irresistibly charming about that kid. The sheer confidence with which he talked and moved. The insolence of always speaking his mind without any consideration for the possible consequences. The brazenness with which he expressed his desires and wants openly, as if he had nothing to hide or nothing to fear. There are not many people as charming as someone who is completely Free.

« I have…an ability. Something very unique. It sounds cheesy, I know, but I can show you. But I want to warn you that it will blow your mind. And I also want to tell you that I haven’t shared this with anyone yet. » was he lying? She couldn’t tell. « But I feel like we have a special connection, you and I. So, Bella, can I show you something extraordinary? ».

This sounded so movie-like to be just plainly stupid, but at this point what else could she say? Wasn’t she already trapped in that little kid’s game?

Unfortunately, all fantasies come to an end at some point.

« Bella? What the Hell are you doing?? » an angry looking young man was staring down at them next to the table. Pretty good looking, squared jaw and wavy black hair to the base of his neck. If it wasn’t clear by his build and stature, his tight t-shirt said it clearly: “Rugby Team”.

« Are you for f***ing real? Are you seriously goofing around with a kid?? » he raised his voice, slamming his hand on the table. People all around jumped from the sudden noise, before launching worried looks at the table.

« Kyle, what do you want! We broke up two months ago, you have to get over it! And who I “goof around” with, is none of your business! ».

« None of my business eh? We have been together for two years. Two years! Everything about you is my business, do you understand?? » he started screaming, increasingly furious, as he grabbed her wrist to pull her out of the table. A third hand locked his wrist.

« Ehm…listen fella'…I understand the jealousy and all - I mean not this much, you should probably have it checked out by a professional or something – but I understand! In fact, you are free to express your disapproval with her or, better, with your friends. But I draw the line at “touching”. Haven’t your parents taught you that a lady shouldn’t be touched but with a flower? » the so far silent kid had evidently surprised everyone with that sudden “heroic” intervention of his. Was he really about to start a beef with that giant? Was he stupid? Or just plain insane?

« Listen, kid. You clearly are too young to realize what’s going on. So I’ll give you a chance to get out of here. Shut that f***ing mouth of yours and get the hell out of here. Cause if you think that I am gonna let you humiliate me in front of my friends and my girl just because you are a minor, you are very very wrong. If you make me, I will happily punch that f**king smile out of your stupid baby face, you hear me? ».

« I hear you loud and clear » the boy said, standing up and getting out of the table. Without saying a word, he just walked passed Kyle and the couple of friends standing behind him, moving towards the exit. Was he going to abandon that girl? But it was the sensible think to do…than again, what would happen to that poor girl? Should they call the police?

« Now, let’s get back to our - » the rugby player was interrupted by a big slice of pizza smashing against his face. A few people laughed, but most of the spectators just put a hand on their mouths, shocked.

« Ups ».

Jason stood at the entrance of the club, biting off another slice of pizza, as he winked provocatively to the furious giant.

There was no doubt about it.

That kid was just completely crazy.