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"Jacob, I'm not sure this is a sane idea -- "

"Cool your jets, S&S. This is going to be perfectly safe. You've seen Paul and Jared do it. You've heard Embry, Quil, and Leah talk about it. What's your problem?"

"My problem," I huffed, "Is the fact that I am not freakishly coordinated like you are. I’m extremely scared!"

"H," he looked over at me with a comforting look in his eyes, "I promise you, with all of my being, that you will not get hurt, whether it be emotionally or physically. You will not be scarred after this event. All you will be is eager to do it again."

That didn't keep me from being petrified of heights.
"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

Up the mountain we went, weaving our way through tangles of trees and clusters of rocks. It wasn’t until we were at a considerable height that I was dumb enough to look down.

"Oh dear Lord, save me," I muttered under my breath as I gaped out over the towering cliff edge. The waves below were swirling dangerously, and the height was colossal, even though we were on the lowest peak. A numb feeling spread through my stomach, while my heart seemed to jump into my throat. I gulped and turned around to see my lunatic diving partner grinning out at the sea.

"Ready?" he asked me excitedly.

"Never," I replied, shaking my head.

The sun appeared suddenly from across a sea of trees, warming the mountain instantly. But I wrapped my arms around my torso anyway, despite the temperature.

I then looked down at my body, clad only in a black one-piece bathing suit. I've always been skinny, but that was beside the fact. Surprisingly, I'd never been very comfortable with showing my body. I was quite conservative.

"Jake?" I questioned meekly.

"Mhmm?"

"If I die doing this -- "

"You're not going to die!" he shouted loudly, before jumping off of the enormous cliff, screaming happily the whole way. He landed in the waves with a huge, sloppy splash, and I took my chances and leaned far over the peak to see him grinning up at me.

"See?" he yelled, exuberance radiating through his voice, "It's an amazing feeling!"

I eyed him warily, and he tried to offer a last bit of comfort.
"I'll stay down here while you jump, and if you do start drowning, I positively promise to save you."

I shuddered fearfully, before nodding once. "Okay," I called, my voice barely reaching the water below, "I'm jumping now."

I took a huge breath, blew it out, gulped in air once more, and ran toward the horizon. When I reached the edge of the cliff, I jumped into the air, curling my hands around my legs, which were pressed against my body. And then I began to drop.

As I fell, my stomach gave a lurch of adrenaline, and I suddenly wasn't afraid anymore. The insanity of free falling was exhilarating. The water loomed closer and closer, but I welcomed its arrival, anticipating the plunge. I cannonballed into the ocean, and all my fears gave way to feelings of happiness.

Once I had reached six feet under, I uncurled myself and swam for the surface, inhaling air triumphantly.

I saw Jacob swimming toward me, a grin larger than the sun dancing across his face. Once he reached me, he drew me into as much of a hug as could be achieved while treading water.

As we drew apart, he whispered something into my ear.

“I told you so.”