Happy Mistakes

Chapter 10: Birthday

Alex POV

As the days passed, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, tinged with a bittersweet undercurrent. My birthday was approaching—a milestone that I had always dreaded, a reminder of loss and heartache that still haunted me to this day.

Ever since I was a child, birthdays had held little appeal for me. The memory of my tenth birthday loomed large in my mind, casting a shadow over what should have been a day of celebration and joy.

It was supposed to be a day filled with laughter and presents, a day spent surrounded by family and friends. My grandparents had planned the trip to the amusement park as a special treat for my birthday, a chance for us to create cherished memories together. We had packed a picnic lunch and excitedly piled into the car, eager for a day of adventure and fun.

As we drove down the highway, the sun shining brightly overhead, the air filled with anticipation and excitement. My grandparents sat in the front seats, their smiles beaming as they talked about the rides we would go on and the treats we would enjoy.

But then, without warning, disaster struck. A sudden screech of tires echoed through the air, followed by the sickening crunch of metal on metal. Our car lurched violently to the side as another vehicle slammed into us from behind, sending us careening off the road and into a nearby ditch.

In the chaos that followed, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I remember the jarring impact, the sound of shattering glass, and the feeling of weightlessness as our car tumbled end over end. And then, suddenly, it was over. The world came to a standstill as we lay battered and bruised amidst the wreckage.

I struggled to make sense of what had just happened as I looked around in a daze. My grandparents, who had been sitting in the front seats just moments before, were now trapped inside the mangled remains of the car. Their faces were pale and drawn, their bodies limp and lifeless.

Panic surged through me as I realized the gravity of the situation. I screamed for help, frantically trying to free them from the twisted wreckage. But despite my efforts, it was clear that there was nothing more I could do.

By the time the emergency services arrived, it was too late. My beloved grandparents had been taken from me in the blink of an eye, their lives cut short by a senseless act of recklessness. And in the aftermath of the accident, I was left grappling with a whirlwind of emotions—grief, guilt, and a profound sense of loss that threatened to consume me whole.

Even now, years later, the memory of that fateful day still haunted me, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the pain of losing those we love. And as my birthday drew nearer, the weight of that loss hung heavy on my heart, casting a shadow over what should have been a day of celebration and joy.

As I sat on the couch, lost in thought, my phone rang, jolting me out of my reverie. I glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Ethan calling. With a sigh, I answered, hoping that his cheerful voice would lift my spirits.

"Hey, Alex! How's it going?" Ethan's voice came through the phone, filled with enthusiasm.

"Hey, Ethan. I'm okay," I replied, mustering a weak smile. "What's up?"

"I was just calling to see what you wanted to do for your birthday," Ethan said eagerly. "I have a few ideas, but I wanted to make sure it's something you'll enjoy."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The truth was, I had never been a fan of birthdays, especially after what happened to my grandparents. But I didn't want to dampen Ethan's enthusiasm, so I decided to be honest with him.