The Show of a Lifetime

Chapter Two

It was about three days from Christmas, and snow fell fast. I was sitting on my bed by the window, smiling with my cell phone in hand.

"So, you're on your way home?" I asked, smiling as I held my pillow.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see you." It was so close to Christmas, so I had gotten a small job while Michael was on vacation. I used it as a chance to buy him a Christmas present on my own for once. I was so excited for him to see it. He'd be so proud.

We were neighbors, so I always visited him for the holidays. My parents loved his parents, and, as goofy parents always wanted, secretly wanted us to be together. His parents were the sweetest people I'd ever met. His dad was hilarious and super laid-back. His mom was a beautiful, responsible woman. I loved them both and treated them like my own parents. In response, they treated me as one of their own.

"You guys are gonna be careful, right? The streets are dangerous, especially with how snowy it is." I had a lot of anxiety about Michael getting hurt, or anyone in his family, a matter of fact.

"We'll be alright, don't worry!"

"Come on, you know it isn't that simple," I said with a sigh.

"Of course, it isn't. I wish I could comfort you, but I don't know how you feel."

"I mean, I already hated the idea of you leaving. You're basically my brother in my eyes." He laughed, and I could hear him messing with his hair in embarrassment.

"Oh come on, don't put me on such a pedestal!"

"How far are you guys?"

"Not too far, maybe twenty minutes."

"You better keep talking to me. If you fall asleep on the phone again, I'll have your mom ground you."

"She wouldn't do that." He said confidently.

"I'll ground him beforehand if you'd like, Karina!" His mom commented in the background. I giggled as he panicked.

"Wait, mom, please don't!" He joked. He knew she wouldn't do that, but it was fun to tease him.

"Oh yeah, how's your grandma?" I asked, falling back onto my sky-blue comforter.

"Good! She got this adorable kitten to keep her company. His name is Socks!" I squealed, grinning at the idea of his grandmother's cat.

"That's an adorable name!" I exclaimed.

"Haha, I know." Then, I heard a small swerve of the car.

"Michael? Are you guys alright?"

"Yeah." He sounded tense and slightly panicked. "Somebody was driving weirdly, and we had to swerve. We're alright though."

"Thank goodness, that scared m-" My sentence was cut off by a louder swerve, and the sound of metal giving way. "Michael!" I cried out, gripping my phone. No answer. He was still on the line, but I couldn't tell what was happening. Later on, I found out the car had been hit on the side Michael was on, the car being pushed off the road and down a large hill. They landed in a ditch, fire engulfing the car. I could hear the crackle of the flames and the screaming of bystanders just through the receiver. I continued to cry out, hoping they were okay. My mom had rushed upstairs, hearing me scream. Tears were falling fast as I held my phone in a vice grip.

"Michael, please answer," I screamed out. I could hear him breathing heavily.

"Karina?" His voice was so weak, breathing labored.

"Oh god, please stay with me," I whispered to him.

"I love you..." He whispered to me.

"Don't say that, you make it sound like you're gonna die." I gripped my bed sheets as my mom stood in the doorway.