Nobody could say that I didn’t earn what I had. Don't get me wrong, my highschool life wasn't one of luxury, popularity and amazing grades, but it was more than I could ever ask for. After years of struggling socially, I made an effort to make the most of my fresh start. I fought my shyness, I started showing who I really was, and I got myself a group of friends to hang out with, people that I really enjoyed being with. I studied hard, and although I wasn't an A student, my grades improved to a point where I felt like I could earn myself a good future. I started doing sports, trying new things, getting out of my comfort zone, and enjoying the years that everybody told me would be the best of my life. Not only that, but I felt really comfortable at home, and the relationship with my parents improved a lot when they started seeing that I was on the right path. Hell, I even fell in love with somebody that loved me back! My days weren’t something of fantasy, but for once, I was happy. The effort seemed to pay back, and there wasn't a better sensation than waking up, excited to go through the day. People say that when you are in a good moment in your life, you don’t appreciate it, but I think I did. I mean, I didn't think everyday about how lucky I was, thanking the Lord and shit, but I was grateful for what I had. Looking back, it almost seems unreal to know how the smallest of details can change a life so much.  

The 22th of july started just like any other day. Summer was just around the corner, and that meant the end of the school year. I was excited for the days to come, having no pressure, going on a vacation, spending time with my friends and my girlfriend… but, the course wasn't over yet, and I had to focus on the task at hand: using the end of the school year as an excuse to celebrate. I woke up early, happy and relaxed, knowing that we wouldn't do any work on the last day of school, and I started getting ready. I walked lazily towards the bathroom, and I turned the hot water on. I sat, still sleepy, waiting for the water to heat, as the vapor filled the place and clouded the mirror. I undressed, and got inside the shower, feeling as the warm touch of the water started waking me up. After the shower, I got on my school uniform, glanced briefly at the mirror to see if my hair was decent, and got downstairs for breakfast. The smell of toast and eggs filled my nostrils, as I sat down and started eating, without even answering back my mom’s “good morning”. I didnt wanna be late, after all. Finished quickly, fetched my backpack, watched inside to see if I had everything I needed, and ran to the door. I shouted a quick goodbye behind me, as I opened the door, and I rushed to the street, barely hearing my mom’s answer. Luckily for me, the train station wasn't far away. I got there just in time, panting a little bit, and I went through the doors just before they closed. I sat on the only empty seat I found, next to a very serious looking business man, and I felt my muscles relaxing, as if they knew that they didn't have to run anymore. There was roughly half an hour to school, so I plugged my earphones in, and tilted my head back, listening to my music. I must have had a bad night, cause I ended up falling asleep. Luckily though, I managed to wake up two stops before mine, having just enough time to clear my head and get up. I walked out of the train station, turned the corner, and looked at the other side of the street in front of me. Groups of highschool students were walking through the sidewalk towards the school building. Some were smiling, somewhere deep in their thoughts, some were talking with friends they found along the way. People varied, of course, but you could feel an aura of relief and excitement for the summer holidays. I heard a faint but familiar voice, shouting my name from across the street. I had my music loud, but I still could hear the voice of my girlfriend over it. I looked at the other side, and I saw this girl, my first love, smiling and waving at me. She was standing next to my best friend and his girlfriend, and seemed to notice me while she was chatting with them. I started crossing the street without hesitation, wanting to join them. It may have been the music, or maybe the fact that I felt a bit sleepy, but I didn't realize what I was doing until I saw their face change from happiness, to surprise and fear. I was crossing at a red light. I overheard the loud noise of brakes, giving me the split second needed to turn my head to my left. And there, in a moment that felt like an eternity, I saw it. Less than half a meter from me there was a white small truck, trying to slow down in vain. But it was too late. I guess that, being in that kind of situation, I should’ve seen my life go before my eyes, reliving every moment. But the only thing I felt was the cold touch of metal, the screams of the people I loved, and then, darkness. 

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Sensations came back to me almost immediately, hitting me with an overwhelming wave of smells, bright lights, and loud noises. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. My breathing was accelerated, and I could feel the fear and the cold sweat on my body, as if I just woke up from a nightmare. I was standing on what seemed to be a sidewalk. I looked around me. The hot monday sun cast its light on the street through the spaces between the high buildings that formed it. The street was alive, and busy, full of people rushing to wherever they were headed. Honking cars, buses, and taxis filled a road where traffic seemed to be advancing slowly. Overwhelmed, I looked at the people surrounding me. I must have screamed, or breathed heavily all of a sudden, because, even in a busy street like that, people had stopped to watch me, with confused and worried eyes. Paranoid, I took a look at my own body. Nothing seemed to have changed, my proportions were the same, and I could even see the same spots I had on my abdomen and chest. I didn't see any wounds. I was intact. And then, I realized something so obvious that made me feel stupid for not seeing it before. The only reason that I could see my body that well was because, well, I was shirtless. Not only that, but, around my neck, I had this ridiculously big green scarf that covered most of my shoulders and half of my face, with one end hanging behind my back, almost touching the ground. The place was different, yeah, but it felt like a completely normal city street. The only thing weird about it was me, half naked, panting, with a gigantic green scarf around my neck at the beginning of summer.