“I’m more of a truth guy, Nova.”
Of course you are.
I look around the area. They booked the place for us. I can see people at the gate waiting to get in, but they’ll only be allowed once we finish filming. I hate being a hurdle in someone’s well-planned day.
This activity is actually on someone’s bucket list right now. That old man holding onto—who looks like his daughter—this could be a lifelong dream of his and we’re wasting every remaining time he has left.
The crew, employees, everyone is waiting for us, and this isn’t even on Rhys’ list.
“How about we get to the top and if you really can’t do it, we’ll head back down?” I say it earnestly so he can see every bit of honesty and support on my face.
He stares, looks away, shakes his head, then nods. “Is this an ick for you?”
Yes.
“No, of course not.” I push him forward because even if he’s not excited, I sure am. Bungee jumping in Switzerland? Not on my bucket list but it sure as heck should have been.
The view from the top of the tower is breathtaking.
I’m in someone’s dream, playing the role in their desires, being the faceless character with no purpose, but I’m here and that’s all that matters. I’m trying not to think of the fact that Rhys doesn’t want to do this. Maybe once he jumps down, he won’t care anymore. In fact, maybe he’ll love it so much and want to go for round two.
Two employees work on our harnesses, they go over safety checks with us and even pull out a pop quiz. I’m nodding and trying to listen, but I’m hit with a sudden wave of nausea and insane butterflies.
Scratch that, there’s a new ecosystem developing in my stomach.
I will not back down.
“If I die, I’m going to kill you, Nova.” I look back at Rhys, who’s holding onto the railings. He looks pale and yellow. Then there’s the swiftness of him looking down and he shuts his eyes. “Let’s get this over with quickly, please.”
Then I’m bouncing, because as scary as it looks, nothing bad happens around here.
Or well, it’s rare for it to happen.
Then I’m gently pushed to the edge. Someone’s in my ear telling me not to be scared and I’m not.
All I do is look straight ahead, the curves of the mountains, the rugged personification of their skin lagging against the distant sharpness.
They count down in the back, but I jump before they reach one.
It’s not adrenaline that pulls me down, but the rush ofliving.
I think I’m screaming or yelling profanities. But I’m doing this. It’s the most freeing feeling.
My head dips into the water. My body aches. But I love every minute of it.
People are cheering. Heck.I’mcheering.
Then I’m being pulled out, the harness being taken off of me, and I’m heaving like I need to give others my level of confidence when I look up for Rhys’ turn, and he’s not there.
A camera zooms in on my reaction as I turn around, and peer over three of the crew members that came with us.
“Where’d he go?”
“Nova!” He comes running towards me, then stops, checks me head to toe and sighs. “I couldn’t do it. I’m sorry. When I was up there and saw everything below...” He shakes his head in pain.
The adrenaline morphs into an ugly, mucky feeling.
It’s not a big deal, but if he didn’t want to do it then he should’ve been careful about what he wrote down on his list.
