Eighteen.

4

Noah woke up the next day quite peacefully, it was much quieter in the house thanks to all the noise from the party and the hundreds of guests gone. He had forgotten about his number and was in a pretty good mood. He was finally 18 after all. He dragged himself up and groggily made his way to the bathroom to do whatever he needed to do. He was in between brushing his teeth and glanced up, he noticed his number and smiled until it dawned on him again. It was still 15. Well, that ruined his good mood for the day.

He finished up and then walked downstairs to eat breakfast, although he had lost his appetite once more after seeing the stupid mark. If he had gotten even 45 or something, he would have been content. Why in the world did he have to get his age from three years ago? It was all too much and too complicated to comprehend. He finished his breakfast with much effort before cleaning up.

He then slouched back on his sofa and scrolled aimlessly on his phone for a bit. He sighed before putting it down. He still hadn't told his mum or dad about his number. Elijah was the only one who knew as of yet. He was still unsure as to whether it was a good choice to tell Elijah though, Elijah usually lets out big secrets when he gets too comfortable with someone. Noah slapped his cheeks lightly.

"Bad thoughts lead to bad happenings, just think positively and it'll be okay-"

Noah then made a disgusted expression.

"What am I saying- Have I really gone crazy?"

Noah wasn't the type to say such cliché and cheesy things so the fact that he said it on his own will was absurd, even to him himself.

"Noah, are you up already?"

He glanced over and saw his mother smiling softly, he smiled back.

"Yeah, I woke up about an hour ago."

"Ahh, okay. Have you gotten your... well, your number yet?"

Oh no. What was he supposed to say? 'Yeah mum! I was supposed to die three years ago! But here I am! Living and breathing! Even I don't know how such nonsense is happening but it definitely is haha!' No. Of course not. He managed out a fake smile.

"Oh.. uh.. well, you see.."

He didn't know what to say.

"It's alright if you don't want to tell me honey, I'd rather not know anyways."

Noah breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, okay mum."

His mother soon walked away and Noah slouched back once again. Seriously, what the hell was he going to do? He groaned in both annoyace, fustration and confusion. In the midst of it all, his phone bleeped. He raised a brow and picked it up before unlocking his phone and viewing the message.

Elijah - Heyy, I managed to find someone that might be able to solve your problem!

Noah - You did? Who?

Elijah - Wow, that was quick 😳

Noah - ??

Elijah - You usually take at least an hour before replying to me lolol

Noah thought about it, did he really take that long? That was besides the point, he wondered who Elijah had found.

Noah - Well, that's kind of irrelevant to the subject. Who did you find?

Elijah - So, I asked my cousin, you know, the cousin that didn't have a number? It took a lot of explaining to be honest so I expect a big thank you from you

Noah - Can you not sidetrack? I'll thank you after confirming you got a legitimate doctor and not some random person who claims to be one. And explaining? Don't tell me you told her.

Elijah - Jeez, we've known each other for years and you're still as cruel as ever 😔 Of course I didn't tell her 😐 Why should I even help someone as heartless as you? 😔 You should be glad I have a good heart 😔

Noah - Okay, okay, I'm sorry, stop acting like a child. Can you please tell me who you found now?

Elijah - Okay, it's a doctor at some hospital, I think the name was Redwood Medical Facility. Apparently there's a doctor there that goes by the name, Dr.Slipdic

Noah - Are you serious?

Elijah - Yes.

Noah - Dr.Slipdic?

Elijah - Yeah, that's his name, why?

Noah - ... Are you sure he's legitimate? Because Dr.Slipdic sounds like some freakshow doctor and my life is at stake here.

Elijah - Do you really not trust your best friend? Gahhh, even after all we've been through 😭

Noah - Fine, I'll trust you. 🙄 When's the appointment? Did you make one?

Elijah - Ahh right, I scheduled one for tomorrow, it was very difficult because they said they needed to speak to you personally but I told them that you were busy and after a while they gave up and made it :D

Noah - Tomorrow? ARE YOU STUPID? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EMOTIONALLY PREPARE?

Elijah - HEY, I WENT THROUGH SO MUCH EFFORT TO GET THIS APPOINTMENT, DR.SLIPDIC WAS VERY BUSY AND THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WAS NEXT YEAR

Noah - AND YOU BELIEVE THAT? JUST HOW FAMOUS IS THIS DOCTOR? HIS NAME SOUNDS INNAPPROPRIATE YET HE'S SO BUSY HIS NEXT APPOINTMENT IS IN A YEAR? HOW ABSURD. YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST LET ME SCHEDULE IT MYSELF.

Elijah - JUST ACCEPT IT WITH GRATITUDE AND STOP SCREAMING

Noah - If he's some weirdo who can't do his job right, I won't spare you.

Elijah - Just trust me on this one buddy, he'll help you 👍🏻😁

Noah only hoped that Elijah was right...