Death Date

Chapter One

"Don't worry hunny" my grandma, Louisa, says... "I've heard that it's not that bad. At least that's what the scientists are saying now a days."

My mother rolls her eyes at her mom and the mere fact that my grandma would even say something like that.

"Grams... I love you but what scientist said this?" I say.

"Ella buns you don't need to worry, just have fun now and don't worry about it then." My grandma tries to convince me. My grandma was known as being hay-wired sometimes. She tried to make all the grandchildren feel better but sometimes you just couldn't do anything. Grams was kinda like acid in a strange way... She smelt bad and if you poured her to a horrible wound it would hurt like h*ll.

"All I'm saying is just don't overthink it... When it happens it happens." Grams says.

"Alright mom I think that's enough we'll see you at Ella's party on Thursday..."

"Oh okay you boring, old twat" saying as she was directing it at my mother. My mother rolled her eyes used to grams funny,sarcastic way.

"Bye Grams I love you" I say

"I love you too Hun bun. Remember I'll be joining you up there one day sugar plum" she concludes. I fully embrace gram knowing this is the last time I'll fully get to hug her and actually be with her forever. A single tear slowly trickles down my face, as I wipe it away, Gram looks at me, kisses me on the cheek.
And leaves.

*****************
"Ella come here" my dad says. My dad was always one of those "cool" dads or as my dad likes to say "he's hip,he's young, he's cool, what else do you need in a rad, cool dad?" He was in his late forties but still managed to work a hairstyle even though it was completely grey. My parents both evened each other out. My mother was always the quiet, boring one while my dad was the loud and obnoxious one. As I walk down the stairs I see both my parents waiting there with a big box and my little brother Elias there.

"SURPRISE" they say. I put on a "oh my gosh this is all for me face even though I knew something was going to happen today" it was ritual, they had to anyways.

"So Ella I was reading your bucket list and..."

"Oh God please don't tell me you read all of i-" I say in a rushed tone.

"Oh honey..." He pauses "of course I read all of it" but as I was saying I was reading it and realized you have to do at least 1 of the things because actually all of the other stuff was either totally illegal or not happening" he says.

"Dad!!!" I say quite embarrassed...

He opens the box and I see it. I see what I wrote down is right in front of me.

More than 100 hot dogs were in that gigantic box and the only thing I'm thinking is "YES FINALLY A HOT DOG EATING CONTEST"

My mother quickly rolls her eyes and groans in disapproval and my dad, Elias and me start by 35 hot dogs each.

20 MINUTES LATER

I somehow choked down 24 hot dogs while Elias choked down 40 and my dad choked down 56. How we did it, I still have no idea. After throwing up in the bathroom for more than 3 hours I head back down to check on Elias. He threw up in the middle but decided to be a trooper and try and beat his older sister!

"Hey Eli whatcha doinnn" I say.

"Elle tell me... Does it bother you knowing and all..." He says.

"What brings this up Eli" I say worry obvious in my face.

"I mean your DDate it's so soon. 19 years? How does that happen? My DDate isn't till I'm 73 but sis what's going on your mind??"

I'm shocked at Eli's revelation. I don't know how to answer or what to say and I always have an answer. Do I lie and say I'm okay or do I tell the truth? It's a law to not talk about your DDate till the day of.

"Eli I'm scared..so scared" I say as tears start forming in my eyes...

"Oh Elle I love you and you know that everyone in the past 85 years have done it, granted you're the youngest one in this community but I promise you'll be okay"

"I know I'll be okay I just I don't know what to say to every-" I say as I get cut off by my mother.

"Elias come clean up this fake poop mess you left down here! This is the 7th time this week are you kidding me?!?!" A slow smile comes to his face and he soon leaves telling me we'll talk later.

I jog up the stairs to my room and quickly shoot a text to Julie, my best friend since 6th grade, telling her I ate 24 hot dogs! I mean hey at least she'll be proud of me.

I start to think about what Elias had said. I don't understand why my DDate was so soon. I had two days. Two days till I gave my last breath. Two days till I said goodbye to my family. Two days till I never get to see Simon my douche of a boyfriend which was somewhat a plus. Only two more days of seeing my best friends Julie and Sabrina (Sabs). Why did society make this dumbass invention? Why did society think it was acceptable to make a machine where right as you are born it tells the day you die. I die in 2 days. They created it so instead of being sad you get to go out throwing a party. Nothing like saying a goodbye on your death date. Only 3 people have ever out lived their true death date and 2 of them were shot instantly when the government found out. Not by the people but by the government themselves. I sit alone in my bed thinking about my 18 years of living. Did I really "live life to the fullest" that's been society's motto for more than 85 years. I sit in my bed and ponder these things. How does this happen to a person like me.

"Elle c'mon get your fat ass ready! we're going to be late if you don't hurry up" I hear Simon say as he walks in not even caring. As much as Simon was a good friend and impressed all the girls, he was the most horrendous boyfriend ever. He cheated on me and I knew it. He yelled at me all the time and he even has slapped me. But the only reason I continue to stay with him is because it makes my mom happy. And I've always been known to disappoint her so why not make her happy by doing her favor. Simon's father was mother's boss and I guess you could say it was even arranged almost but I didn't care. I knew I wasn't the prettiest girl on the street and I wouldn't be catching many guys eyes so I just decided to stick with this douche.

"You know Elle, no one even cares about your DDate... It's almost like you're a disgrace to our community for someone to die under the age of 45." He says.

I ignore him and walk out in a pretty,floral dress with strappy sandals and a small purse. Simon rolls his eyes at how I look, grabs my hand knowing he'll have to be his charming self to my parents as we leave. When we walk down the stairs I notice I hear another voice. One I had never heard of before...

"I would like to simply apologize, this was a mistake beyond our knowledge and wasn't discover until 2 years ago" I hear a lady say.

I show Simon a "shh" sound and he actually listens as we listen in.

"What do you mean you apologize you fruit loop dingus" my father says with anger evident in his voice.

"Edward!" My mother says. Figures.

"You don't mess up our daughters death date. What do you mean her death date is actually tonight!" He says.