The skyscraper stood tall against the smoky sky. It was arched majestically and the glass windows sparkled and shined in the morning sun. It was a beautiful building, but had the misfortune of being surrounded by other, equally beautiful buildings that made its own beauty nondescript. If that structure could talk, it most definitely would have lamented to you about the terrible fate it had to have been built on that corner of Garner and Franklin, but buildings couldn’t talk. They were built to house things that talked. And so, the story of that particular beautiful skyscraper now comes to a screeching halt. Now, let us adjust the reader’s point of view so that you may take a gander at what is on top of that particular skyscraper. It is not a blot, but indeed a human. A girl to be exact. She is precariously standing on the ledge of the edifice, and her bare toes are peaking out from underneath the concrete flooring of the top floor. Her name is Ashlyn.

Rain. Ashlyn lifted her hand, and levered it until it was stretched out in front of her, as if asking for alms. Soft pattering was heard as drops of water splashed in to her cupped hand. There was no railing, and a little wrong footing and she would fall 486 feet to her death.

“Hmm?” Another girl stood behind her, bundled up in layers of thick clothing. She looked like an Eskimo compared to the scantly- dressed, barefooted Ashlyn. She held a black umbrella over her head. “Ash lets go.”

Ashlyn gave no answer, but instead chose to focus her attention down. What a long way to fall…

“Ash… Ash its cold.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Max pouted. “Why did you drag me out here? It’s a Saturday. I could have been safe at home. And warm.” Max shifted uncomfortably back and forth between her feet. Ashlyn had always been weird. But this was creepy. And dangerous. Max didn’t like how intently the other girl stared at the 486 foot drop.

“Ash. Its dangerous to be standing there like that. Get off. Let’s take the metro. I’ll buy you a melon bar.”

The promising offer of frozen milk did not budge her from her spot on the edge.

“Ash. What’s wrong?”

The silence seemed deafening.

“Aaaaaash.” Max drew out the word. “If you don’t answer, I’m going home.” She wasn’t. She would never leave Ashlyn behind but was just a little embarrassed to be the only one participating in the conversation. And cold.

“…Max. Why are you my friend?” She said this very calmly, but it was very disconcerting.

“What do you mean?” Max fidgeted. “There is no real reason. You’re my friend. I’m yours. That’s all there is to it.”

The silence following that statement was only affected slightly by the pitter-patter of rain.

“I want chocolate.” She got off the ledge and slipped on her shoes.

“What?”

“You said you’d buy me an ice cream.” She grinned impishly at Max, then walked to the door that connected to the inside of the building. Max followed her to the door.

“I feel like this was your ulterior motive.”

--Mary Poppins

Artwork by Alexis