Writing Prompt

I stare down the ledge of the cliff i now find myself on top of. Of course the one attractive man that matched with me turns out to be an adrenaline junkie.I’m super interested in L not so interested in finding out it the cord decides this is the jump it wants to retire on. But I'm going to put on a brave face and pretend I didn't just envision my own closed casket funeral. "You've done this before right?" i chance a glance at Colton. “uh not really but I've seen tons of videos and it seems amazing” not really? i swore he told me he does this all the time and that it's perfectly safe. "How comforting" I mumble under my breath as i silently count how many couples are ahead of us. 2 more couples and then were up. Is now the time I tell him about my insane fear of heights? Nope that was definitely 30 minutes ago when he picked me up at my apartment. Maybe i can make enough small talk that i get completely distracted and forget about my fear yep sounds like the best plan I got. "So what's your deepest fear?" I blurt out. L bursts out laughing "kind of personal for a first date don't you think?" "yeah, yeah you're probably right, but mine is heights" he starts laughing again but once i don't chime in he asks "wait you're kidding right?" i swallow the lump in my throat and prepare to tell this man who just spent $70 on each of us that I am indeed scared of heights “god no i was just kidding wouldn't that be crazy?” 1 Iadd in a laugh to make it believable. He buys it and begins laughing again. “oh, loooks like we're next"

Please notice that the male character in this story goes by ‘he’ not a name. This is not a true story. So I didn’t want to make it that realistic.

“Can I open my eyes yet?” I giggled while he kept walking up. “Not yet!” He laughed. Now, I was starting to get nervous. We had been walking up stairs for twenty minutes. “Okay! You can open your eyes!” He shouted. I gasped. “Uhhh? Why are you in a harness?” “We are going to abseil from this building!” “Okay…” I squeak. I really like him, but I am deathly afraid of heights. “Babe, do we have to do this? We just ate lunch and you know that’s not good for your stomach.” “It’s fine. If one of us blows chunks we can always stop.” Even just the thought of jumping from a tall building gives me the want to throw up, I agree. Because I want to impress him. I don’t want him to think I’m just some scared little girl. Even though my emotions are screaming at me to turn away, I strap myself up. I don’t plan on embarrassing myself anytime soon, so I lean off the building. Suddenly I become dizzy. I see stars and I quickly back up. “Do you want me to go first?” He asks. “No…babe, the truth is that I’m super afraid of heights. I wish you would have told me where we were going first. I would have been more prepared. I’m sorry.” “It’s fine. Just hold my hand! And I’m sorry I didn’t notice sooner. I should have known. You ready?” “Yeah…3…2…1…” And together, we take the first jump

My heart racing, just don’t look down I said to myself. Of course I looked down though. It’s just natural human instinct. I wish I hadn’t though, I feel light headed and worried. My date on the other hand, seemed so excited and ready to causally jump off a building.

Completing this task would mean so much to me though, over coming my fear, possibly winning over the guy I’ve been going out with for months. The person in charge of the event tightened our harnesses. I felt dizzy, but I jumped anyways.

Going down he yelled “isn’t this great.” I agreed but it wasn’t what I really meant. I started to feel sick, and I threw up. Safe to say we didn’t go on another date. I was too embarrassed to face him again.

I’m standing at the top of the building getting ready to abseil. I can’t lie, I’m panicking! But I can’t make a bad impression…

“Hey are you okay?” He asks, his voice was soft with a hint of worry. I looked up at him and nodded, “we don’t have to do it if you don’t want to?”

I shook my head, “I can do it.” He smiles. “Good luck.” He placed a kiss on my cheek. And with that said, he fell backwards.

My eyes widened, I rushed towards the edge of the building. I notice he was fine, he had a big smile plastered on his face as he walked down the building.

What am I going to do?!

If I don’t do it he will think I’m a wuss.

But If I do he will see me as a badass sexy women.

Okay I’m stuck.

Also I forget to mention, I’m highly afraid of heights, but when he asked me to do this I replied. ‘I love dangerous thing, and heights!’

How stupid of me!

I need to impress this guys so I’m going to do it! My date has reached the bottom, he’s waving up at me. I wave back with a fake smile on my face, I turn to the worker.

“Has anyone ever died on this?” He smirks and shakes his head. “Don’t worry, princess.” He tightened my harness, “you’ll be fine.” I smiled at his nickname. “Thanks.”

He stared deeply into my eyes “any time princess…”

The crisp winter breeze nips at my face, as Jennifer fastens the rope around her waist. “See this knot right here? This is how I slowly let out the rope” Jenny explains. All I can feel is my heart pounding against my chest, and the quick vibrations of my Apple Watch. I glance down “high heart rate” I see flash across the screen and think to myself, “gee, no shit Sherlock”.

“Okay, let me help you with your harness.” Jenny looks over at me, and pauses. “You’re not, scared, are you?” She openly teases me playfully, but what she doesn’t realize is this is no game for me. It took every ounce of courage to walk out of the elevator to the top of this 65 story building, and now she’s asking me to “whatever the hell-sel” down it? No thank you.”

To be continued

I will never go on a date with an adrenaline junkie again.

I stared at Frazier who was hanging outside of the 4th floor window of the city hall building.

It was National Climbing Day and Prairie Creek, our quaint little town, was very enthusiastic about celebrating it. It’s not like we were home to the best climbers in the world or anything.

The mayor, Monty Matthews, used to be an avid climber when he was young and now he has reflected his obsession on all of the people of Prairie Creek.

In my 22 years here I never cared about such a pointless day due to my fear of heights. But this was the year that I wanted to venture out of my comfort zone.

I re-downloaded Catcher, our janky local dating app, and I put all my eggs in a basket hoping that I’d run into some luck.

Frazier was not lucky. He was hot and he had a job. And apparently he was good at lying as he never mentioned anything about being an avid climber on his Catcher profile, or his familial relation to Mayor Monty Matthews (second cousin, twice removed).

“Greta, you’ll love this! Woohoo!” Frazier yelled up at me. I peered over the window ledge. I can’t believe Prairie Creek would allow such a thing.

I shook my head vigorously and forced a smile. “No thanks” I yelled back. I glanced to the ground, which looked like a million miles down.

My palms began to sweat and my legs started to shake. No man was worth this much physical anxiety. I looked at Frazier one more time. He was so handsome and fun and adventurous…and hot.

But I didn’t sign up for this. I mean, not really. Not the climbing part. Who even does that for a first date?

My profile strictly highlighted my love for peppermint tea and reading books in quiet places. I wiped my hands on my jeans and tried to ignore my heart beating wildly in my chest as I yelled to Frazier once more.

“Hey, I’m not really comfortable doing this. I’m sorry I led you to believe otherwise. I’m gonna go”.

Before Frazier could answer I turned around and walked to the stairwell door taking my steps to freedom one by one.

No man was ever going to get me to rappel off of a building no matter how good he looked.

“You want to WHAT down a building?” I asked.

“Abseil,” he answered.

“Which is what exactly?” I asked.

“We’ll rappel down,” he said.

I raised my eyebrows.

“We’ll go down the side of the building together,” he said.

I inched closer to the guard rail of the building. I craned my neck over the railing and looked down.

I righted myself and quickly stepped away from the rail.

“Uh, nuh uh. No way. Not going to happen.” Just to be extra sure that he caught my meaning, I shook my head and made a large ‘X’ with my arms. “No,” I reiterated.

“Come on,” he said. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closed toward him. He rubbed my knuckles with his fingers. “Don’t tell me that you’re scared?”

“Well,” I said. “I won’t tell you about it then.” I avoided making eye contact.

“Don’t you think it will be so romantic?” he said.

“Isn’t this enough?” I asked. I threw my hands up in the air. “I already came all the way up here on top of this scary building for you.“

“Scary building?” he repeated.

I flung my hands up in the air again. Then, I reached for his hands and held them. I looked into his eyes. “I would do anything for you,” I said. “But to… abseil… down a building?” I shook my head. “No, I’m just not there yet.”

“But we’re literally here,” he whined. “Why waste this opportunity?”

I laughed in his face. Then, my laugh turned into a nervous giggle. Then, my laugh turned into a hysterical, roller-coaster-ride, collapse-of-my-sanity cackle.

When I looked up, I could tell that he was angry. “Oh, don’t be angry,” I said. “I just couldn’t help it. I just don’t see this the same way that you do. I just don’t want to jump off a building. Can’t we just pretend this didn’t happen and leave now?”

He glared at me. “You can leave,” he said.

“Oh, really,” I said. “Don’t pout. I just don’t want to do this.”

“Okay,” he said. “Then leave.”

“Fine,” I said. I walked toward the elevator with fervor. “I’ll talk to you about this later, when we’re on solid ground again,” I called back without turning around.

“We are on solid ground,” he shouted back.

“Sure,” I said. “Talking about jumping off a building is so grounded.”

Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuuuu-

What did I agree to? So, this guy I really like, and I’ve been talking to him for a while. Ben, his name is- finally asked me out on a date. He’s funny and smart, and has got one hell of a body. Totally my type. So I was ecstatic when he asked.

Of course I agreed, not even reading his full message. He had a tendency to write long paragraphs to me over explaining stuff, so I’ve gotten into the habit of just skimming through. I did see one word, though. ‘Abseiling.’ I didn’t know what it meant, and I just thought he was doing that thing where he uses big words for no reason. (He’s a writer, so- force of habit, he tells me.) I didn’t look it up. …I should’ve looked it up.

Goddamnit, I should’ve knew something was up when he told me to wear something I can move in.

He told me to meet him at the top of a building. Romantic, right? I didn’t think much of it, but I noticed a familiar creeping dread as I ascended in the elevator.

He greeted me at the top, wearing a goofy grin and what looked to be… climbing gear? And a helmet?

I laughed, and made a crude joke about me not being that rough, but he just looked at me confused.

…then he explained what we’re doing. I didn’t think to object for some reason, I guess I was just too… stunned to say anything. He helps me strap in with the gear he brought for me, bonked my helmet, and proceeded to… jump off the building. Well, jump is a exaggeration. He more… shimmied.

But he went down nonetheless. And I got to the edge, and looked down, seeing him dangling there by a rope, feet pressed against the side of the building, his hands beckoning for me to join him. He was still grinning, telling me not to worry, that he’s a professional.

I felt sick. And then I jumped.

My stomach drops further than I did, the rope catching me. I dangle there, the only thing keeping me from dropping god knows how many feet down is a rope. I feel dizzy, my heart pounds in my chest. I scramble, grabbing the rope, and making myself be upright.

“Not bad,” Ben grins. “Most people don’t make it this far.”

I manage a shaky smile in his direction, and he starts teaching me how to go down, demonstrating. I’m trying not to show that I’m scared, but man is it hard. I feel nauseous, but follow like he did, lowering myself.

Okay, I tell myself. This is okay. I’m fine, just don’t look down.

I hesitantly glance down.

OH SHIT WE ARE REALLY HIGH UP WHY AM I DOING THIS AM I STUPID?

Ben is talking casually like nothing is happening, and we’re not dangling off a building.

“So,” he starts, tilting his head. “Dinner after this?”

“I- uh,” I stammer, trying not to think. “I’m actually feeling a bit… nauseous.”

He immediately is concerned. “Really? If your not feeling well, I can get you back up on the roof-“

“No, no! It’s fine!” I insist. “It’s just…”

I stare at the side of the building for a moment, trying to come up with words.

“…I have a fear of hights.” I mumble finally.

“Oh shit.” He says simply.

“But!” I exclaim before he can say anything else. “Maybe… this’ll be a way to conqueror my fear?”

He stares at me, before a small smile appears on his face. “Just let me know if we need to get on solid ground.”

I nod, and he takes my hand wordlessly as we start going down.

He resumes talking, and I notice… that it’s actually helping. His hand is big and warm, and… solid. We continue inching down the building, just making conversation.

We’re on the ground before I know it. My feet hit the concrete sidewalk, and I just stand there, blinking at the ground.

“Hey?” He pokes my face. “You okay?”

“That… wasn’t so bad.” I admit slowly, startling myself with this realization.

“Great! Maybe we can go again to-“

“Hell no.”

Lemon pledge and Flo Ride hung heavily in the air. In the shadows in the crook of the hallway, we clung to rough textured walls. I clutched my ribcage to muffle my hammering heart. Jamie gave a subtle nod to the left. We moved in tandem away from the maintenance team to the stairway door.

The hallway was narrow. I could feel my breath quicken as the walls grew closer. Jamie looked back at me. I caught his broad grin and I imagined a cartoon cheshire cat. What would he say if I told him I was kind of afraid of heights. That I was once afraid of most things.The bubble of laughter pushed the walls back as we climbed the stairs to the roof.

The slam of cool air made my eyes water. Jamie pressed me against the closed stairwell door. He was saying something about the rooftop cameras. His breath was warm on my neck. Liquid excitement raced up my veins. Jamie leaned towards me and I kissed him hard. Our lips and hands were frantic.

Last summer I learned sky diving from Marco, an instructor. I tingled from the ruah of wind squeezing my bodies we plummeted. Three months ago Ivy taught me free diving. We tangled in the deep blue darkness gasping for each other. Last week I found Jamie on YouTube. He is an Spiderman, an illegal climber of buildings.

I followed him, flirting a little but playing it aloof. If there is one thing I learned it was that adventure junkies loved the chase. I’d perfected my online hard tease performance. I don’t know what junkies for adventurers loved. We looked over the building’s edge. 525 Crenshaw was the tallest building in Altoona. Jamie was practicing for the Hancock in Chicago by climbing structures in his hometown. He invited me to climb and I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

The world was hundreds of feet below. Jamie was saying something about our descent. We chalked our hands and mounted the edge. Jamie tossed me a quick kiss. His big brown eyes were bright with excitement as we drowned in adrenaline. I was drunk in this moment as we step out against the sky.

My stomach dropped to my ankles as I glanced over the edge. I couldn’t tell if he could sense the fear swelling in me. John Acosta. He was 5 foot 10 with caramel brown skin. I just had to swipe right. With his profile picture showcasing his muscular build, a smile with a set of beautiful teeth and dimples as deep as the ocean, I couldn’t resist the date offer. I had to see if this piece of God’s art was really wanting to spend time with me or if I was getting catfished. It was at that very moment, I realized I shouldn't have told him I was an adventurous and competitive person. I just wanted to peak his interest since he was in his bicycling gear in a few of his pictures.

“You said you like adventure and competition. So, I figured this would be something we could do. I’ll see you at the bottom.” He chuckled as he effortlessly flung his body over the edge.

I was mortified but his smile was refreshing. It cooled the fire blazing inside me for a small fraction of time.

“Not my idea of a rooftop lunch, but I’m up for the challenge,” I yelled through gritted teeth. Who was I kidding? I had a mini heart attack while riding the elevator up here. There is no way I am getting on the side of this 800 foot tower with my extreme fear of heights. I started to back up slowly but was stunned when I felt something as hard as a brick wall hit my back.

“Not so fast ma’am. That’s the only way down. The door is locked and won’t be opened again until tomorrow morning. It gets really cold up here overnight so I don’t suggest waiting.” A man's voice protruded through the wind.

My throat fell to my chest.

My body quivered as the equipment guy tugged and pulled on each strap. He explained where to place my hands and how to position my body but my attention was on the sky and how far I would have to abseil. He could sense my fear.

“The way you walked backwards when you bumped into me is the same way you are going to walk down this building. Keep your eyes on the glass windows and stay focused on your next step. Take deep breaths. You will be fine.” His pep talk was soothing. It was like he could hear the internal prayer I was saying to my Creator.

“Father God, your hard headed daughter has gotten herself in yet another pickle. Yea I know, I know. You told me not to get on the dating app and I did it anyway. Forgive me Lord. I have to do better. In the meantime, could you please get me out of this one? And if I must take on the consequence of being disobedient please see me safely to the bottom. In the name of Jesus it shall be done. Amen.”

My quivers went into overdrive as I took my first steps over the edge of the building. I looked down to see where John was. Big mistake. The distance between me and the tiny specs I happened to catch a glimpse of sent me into a panic.

“I can’t do this!” I screeched while stiffening my legs and hugging the lines for dear life. “Hey, hey! No stiff legs remember.” The equipment guy grabbed my hands. “This hand here and this hand here. Eyes straight. Keep your legs bent and slowly walk backwards. Concentrate on your steps. You can and will do this. John is under you and I am above you.” He gave me a wink and hand motioned for me to look straight ahead. I closed my eyes for a second and whispered, “Thank you Father for this helpful man.”

“Tiny steps. Don’t look down. Tiny steps. Don’t look down.” I repeated to myself as I began my descent. I started to loosen up as I got comfortable in my step to hand rhythm.

If the equipment guy was a little cuter I wouldv’e told him I was no longer interested in his overly adventurous friend and asked if he was single. I wished I got his name so I could look him up later. I couldn’t believe I was still capable of being shallow while in a life or death situation. This world view of a biological clock and desperation to solve my own fear of dying alone has me being foolishly impulsive. Why am I like this? And why am I trying to figure this out on the outside of a skyscraper?

Before I could get back into focus I heard a WHOOSH and bird chirps surrounding me. The stabbing pains from their beaks on my neck and back cause my feet to slip and my face hit the tinted glass. A few seconds later I realized I was sliding down the building at lightning speed. I yelled for help but was unsure anyone could hear me. As I began to panic I felt my body slam into what felt like another brick wall.

“It’s okay I got you. I got you. Calm down. I got you.” John reassured me as he wrapped his arms around me. “It..it…birds…” I managed to cry out between sobs. “It’s okay. I know. I saw the whole thing. Shhh. I’m going to turn you around and you are going to wrap your arms and legs around me. We are gonna walk down the rest of the way together.”

John tried to make small talk as we finished our adventurous date together but I was over it. It was nice to be carried, but not nice enough to risk the plans of a second date. Once we were all planted safely on the ground I took a moment to step away to thank God I was still alive and safe then I bid them farewell.