It was the kind of party people would talk about for weeks. The hotel ballroom on the twelfth floor was buzzing—music blasting, lights flickering, classmates laughing like the world outside didn't exist. After all, it was their Class 12 farewell, and someone's rich cousin had rented out the whole place for the night. Drinks were flowing (non-alcoholic, supposedly), snacks were disappearing fast, and someone had already spilled soda all over the dance floor.
Edward Virell stood off to the side, holding a fizzy drink he hadn't even sipped yet. The bass thudded in his chest, but he felt strangely disconnected. Like he was watching a movie with the volume turned up too loud.
Lucas Renshire, his best friend, was somewhere in the crowd being his usual chaotic self, probably trying to start a dance battle with the DJ. Typical.
Edward wasn't really feeling it. The lights, the noise, the heat from too many bodies in one room—it was all starting to mess with his head. He ran a hand through his dark hair and stepped toward Lucas, who was halfway through stuffing a cookie in his mouth.
"Gonna head up for a bit," Edward said, raising his voice over the music. "Need air."
Lucas gave him a thumbs-up and pointed to his drink like 'don't forget this'. Edward chuckled, left the cup behind, and slipped out of the party hall.
The hallway was quiet. Too quiet. The elevator, thankfully, was empty when it opened. He stepped in, leaned back, and stared at his reflection in the shiny doors. Black shirt, sleeves rolled, hair a little messy—he looked like every other guy at the party, but he didn't feel like them.
Ding.
Top floor.
He walked through the narrow corridor, found the metal rooftop door, and pushed it open.
And just like that, the noise disappeared.
The air outside was sharp and cool. The rooftop had a perfect view of the New York skyline—towering buildings, distant car horns, and city lights that stretched forever. Edward walked toward the edge, his hands tucked into his pockets, breathing in the silence.
Then—boom.
The sky exploded with color. Fireworks.
Right. He had almost forgotten. The city was lighting up the night for a festival downtown. That was partly why he wanted to come up here—to see it from above. Just him and the stars.
But then, the flash of red and gold lit up something else.
Someone else.
A girl.
She stood at the far corner of the rooftop, her silhouette briefly outlined by the fireworks. Medium-length black hair fluttered around her face, her coat catching in the wind. She stood perfectly still, toes at the edge. Her shoes were placed neatly behind her, like she had taken them off with care.
Edward froze.
The wind howled gently, and another firework burst above them. Blue this time. It lit up her figure again—just enough to see the outline of her shoulders, but not her expression.
Is she... going to jump?
His stomach dropped.
He took a step forward, his voice caught in his throat. Then another firework lit the sky.
"Hey!" he called out, not too loud, but firm. "Are you okay?"
She didn't move. Didn't even flinch.