Where Did The Time Go?

Olivia

August 28th 2013

I awoke to someone gently shaking my shoulder.

"Riley, honey?" It was my mom.

"Mom, for the thousandth time- please call me Liv! If you call me Riley, I'll call you Leslie!" I shoved the blanket off and sat up.

"Oh, of course. I forgot again, I'm so sorry!" She genuinely looked apologetic.

"It's fine. So, why am I awake at..." I looked up at the clock on my wall, "7am!?"

"Birthday treat! Get dressed, we're going out for breakfast!"

"But-"

"Dressed!" She skipped out of the room, annoyingly leaving the door open.

I started singing under my breath, "Haven't you people ever heard of closing the goddamn door?"

- - - - -

I jogged down the stairs, pulling on my black hoodie. I'd chosen dark blue skinny jeans and a deep purple floaty tank top.

I strolled into the kitchen only to be engulfed by my dad.

"Bob, please! You're strangling the kid!" My mom smiled, drinking her coffee.

He let go and held me at arm's length, "I'm just happy! My only daughter is 16!"

I laughed at him, and noticed a tacky balloon tied around one of the kitchen chairs.

"Seriously, you guys?"

"You're only 16 once!" My dad winked.

"So, are we going?" I sipped at the cup of coffee my mom had poured for me.

"Hang on..." My dad ran out into the hall and came back holding a wrapped up box.

"Guys, I said no presents. We can't afford it!" I shook my head.

"Oh shut up and open it, Liv." My dad practically threw the gift at me.

"Fine." I ripped off the paper to reveal a black shoebox with the Vans logo on it. I carefully lifted the lid and there sat a gorgeous pair of black shoes with a section of tie dye on them- the ones I'd wanted for almost 2 years.

"No. I am not taking these. Take them back!" But I couldn't put them down.

"Yes, you can. If it makes you feel any better, they're slightly second hand. Only worn once to try them on, so they're practically brand new!" Dad smiled.

"You are literally the best parents ever, I love you so much!" I hugged them both in turn. Then slipped on the shoes.

"They're perfect. Thank you."

"Right, breakfast time!" My dad pulled the keys from his pocket and grabbed me and my mom by our hands.

- - - - -

"Where are we going?" I asked as we pulled out of the driveway of our little 2 bedroom home.

My mother turned around in her seat, "You remember that little diner we went to last Christmas? The one that did those incredible pancakes?"

"Oh my god, yes! We have to go there!" She smiled and turned back around.

I stared out of the window as we pulled up at the junction at the end of our road. We started to pull out when I noticed a car heading straight at us. The driver was on his phone.

"Dad, look out!" But it was already too late.

The speeding car collided with ours. I was thrown through the wind screen, smashing it in the process. The last thing I remember was flying through the air.