Written by Railey Robinson

It was Friday, May 10, 2024. My birthday was tomorrow and I was turning 16 years old. My mom had been hinting to me that she was going to get me my dream car, a white Bronco. “It’s 3:20,” I said to myself, “There are 10 minutes left of school.” I kept watching the clock down to the minute. “5,4,3,2,1,” I said, as the bell rang. I finally got to go home and get ready for my party later that night at 8pm. I saw my mom, who got off of work early. She surprised me and said we were going to the DMV, which is where you would typically go to get your driver’s license. I was so excited. The time had come to get my drivers license. 

We finally got there and I couldn’t sit still. About 20 minutes went by and an old man with a deep and tired voice said, “Marina Demetra.” 

“That’s my name!” I said to my mom. 

My mom gave me a big smile and said, “What are you waiting for, go!” I walked into the room and it wasn’t as uplifting and happy as I thought it would be. The room looked blank, it was so bland and boring. I took my picture and I couldn’t stop staring at it. I walked out of that room with the biggest smile on my face. My mom told me how proud she was of me and that she had a big surprise for me back at the house. When we walked outside my mom insisted on letting me drive, so I did. 

When my mom and I got home, she suggested that I go and show my dad my drivers license. I walked up to my Dad’s office door and before I opened the door, I heard, “Has the car been delivered yet?” I slowly walked away from the door so my dad wouldn’t hear me but I couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

I burst through the door with a grin on my face going from ear to ear. I screamed with excitement, “Is it my car, is it my car?” 

My dad said “Maybe, maybe not,” I smiled at him, and he waited a minute before saying, “It’s outside in the driveway.” 

I screamed at the top of my lungs, “Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!” I walked outside and there it was. Standing right in front of me was my dream car. A white Bronco with eyelashes on the lights. I ran up to both of my parents who were both videoing and taking pictures with smiles on their faces and I said “Y’all are the best parents I could ever wish for!” My dad said at the same time, “You’re welcome Marina.” 

My mom added, “You deserved it with all of those good grades you’ve been getting.” 

I looked at the time and it was 5:32 p.m. I had exactly 2 hours and 28 minutes to get ready for my party. I Also had to count the 30 minutes it would take me to pick up Eliana and get back to my house. While I was at school my mom hired someone to set up my sweet sixteen party decorations in the ballroom. My party theme this year was a disco party. It was going to be the best party ever! 

I took about 45 minutes to pick out the perfect outfit. I ended up picking out a silver, shimmery dress with sparkles. I was overfilled with joy when I found the dress because it went perfectly with the theme of my party. I was putting on the finishing touches of my makeup when I saw that I got a text from Eliana saying, Where are you? The party starts in 20 minutes! I rushed to put my shoes on and I ran outside to my car. I got in my car and started to pull out of the driveway. I made it about 2 minutes down the street and I realized that I forgot to tell my mom that I was leaving. So I decided that I would just text her. I was told over and over again

that I shouldn’t text and drive but I thought to myself that this was an exception because my mom would be looking for me. So I decided to text my mom. 

The light was red. I thought I had time. But as soon as I got on my phone the light turned green and the car behind me blew its horn at me. So I drove, still on my phone, when I began to hear the sound of a car horn getting closer and closer. I had just sent the text when I felt something hit me on my left side with a very hard force. Next thing I knew I was in the hospital. 

I woke up to my entire body feeling numb and my parents sitting in the hospital room with me. They were both crying. 

I heard a knock on the door. It was the doctor. He walked in with a look on his face like he knew something bad. He approached my parents and said, “I hate to tell you this, but your daughter has been pronounced dead.” My mom let out a heart-wrenching scream. Even my Dad had multiple tears rolling down his face. Dad usually doesn’t cry, so I knew he was sad and hurt. My best friend Eliana walked in, out of breath. My mom looked up and Eliana just knew. Eliana burst out in tears and I felt so bad. 

I said “I’m right here, I’m not dead.” but they couldn’t hear me. So, I started to cry and walked up to my mom and at least tried to give her a hug, but I just walked through her. I then started to cry, and still no one could hear me. 

I finally realized that I was in fact dead and I wasn’t coming back.