Eighteen.

1

The sound of yelling and screams of joy filled the room. Noah Williams twiddled his thumbs as he watched the clock intently.

"Hey, it's nearly your birthday man. At least drink a little! You're gonna be 18!"

Noah looked up only to see his childhood best friend smiling back at him; Elijah Smith. They had first met in school at a young age and coincidentally, both of their parents worked together and knew each other quite well. Noah claims that it was all too cliché, but Elijah always states that it was fate and their friendship was meant to be. They weren't that friendly with each other at first, however, they've thankfully grown much closer and friendlier throughout the years.

"No thank you. I'm finding out the age I'll die in a bit and I'd rather not be drunk."

Elijah heaved a sigh.

"Gosh, you're so uptight. Anyways, hopefully it'll be the same age as me or something so that you don't have to live a whole few years without my magnificent being in your life. Your poor soul wouldn't be able to take the fact that you'd have to move on-"

He picked up a chair and sat next to Noah.

"Just shut up. Honestly, I'd rather not have you here. So annoying."

Noah kissed his teeth as Elijah let out a fake gasp.

"You're so heartless, karma will bite you in the butt one day for being so rude to me! I can't believe you wouldn't miss your best friend!"

Elijah clenched his chest dramatically but Noah only rolled his eyes at his friend's childish behaviour.

"Oh quiet down, will you? You're so sensitive, of course I'd miss you not being here idiot."

Elijah grinned and quickly went to hug Noah. Noah tried pushing him off.

"Hey- Get off! You're so heavy!"

"Heh, beg."

Noah looked at him in disgust.

"I ought to punch you in the face one day to get that shit-eating grin of yours off your face. Get off of me! It's nearly 12!"

Elijah chuckled.

"Alright, alright."

A few minutes passed and Noah was so focused he hardly heard the loud noises in the background. He had a few seconds left.

3.

2.

1.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!"

Yelled the party guests. Noah managed out a smile despite being anxious and nervous at the same time. His heart wouldn't calm down. He was finding out the age he'd die today. Today. He felt around his face briefly before standing up and rushing to the bathroom, ignoring his best friend's cries to take him too. He closed the door and looked at the bathroom mirror, his heart was pounding so hard he could have sworn it was close to the feeling of having a heart attack. He tried muttering comforting words to himself as he checked his forehead.

"Okay.. nothing there.."

He then looked around and checked his cheeks, he finally saw a small number appear. He nearly jumped with both excitement and fear. He looked at the number.

"15!"

Noah gleamed. But then realisation hit.

"Wait, what the fuck. 15?!"

Noah felt like he had been swallowed by a black hole. His heart had sunk to what felt like the Earth's core. He's 18 years old now. How is this possible? He was 15 three years ago.