Lockdown 101

1

For years, I was thinking about the day I would turn 18 years old. How would it feel? Would my parents finally give me the freedom I was seeking for? All these questions wanted to be answered. But the one thing I never considered is not being able to celebrate it.

Believe me or not, I knew there was something odd about this year. Parties, having fun and celebrating my 18th birthday didn't matter to me as I thought it would. I just wanted it to be done and to finally move on. But then, my best friend insisted that I would at least throw a small party with my closest friends. And so did I, but guess what? Half of them would not have been able to make it if I hadn't brought the date forward. That's how I celebrated my birthday a week earlier.

Save the pity, I wasn't disappointed at all. I was just not feeling the excitement that one feels on his birthday. Besides, we had exams the whole time and my little birthday party was the only thing we were holding on to. However, once this little improvised thing came, we were not feeling it anymore. We stayed sober, didn't talk much. All we ended up doing is lying on the couch watching music videos. I don't blame them, it was a rough week.

Then came my real birthday week. I wanted to make the things right this time and celebrate it in a restaurant with my 2 best friends.

" - How about a japanese restaurant? We could eat sushi, you know how I love sushi, I suggested.

- Sushi sounds good. But don't you think it's a bad idea to eat in an asian restaurant after all what is happening in China with that virus? said Ines.

- Come on Ines. It's Layla's birthday, let her decide... replied Noa. To be honest, I know how important it is for you to go out on your birthday but my parents really take that coronavirus seriously. I know it's ridiculous right? There's no confirmed case yet  but they're still panicking over it.

- Well, how can you blame them? They're both doctors. At least try to convince them, I'm sure you'll find a way! I said.

- Don't worry. I've got 2 days left before your birthday."

We were walking our way back to school when I noticed my ex boyfriend.If I tell my friends, they would only think I'm still not over him.

"- Look, Layla, to the right! yelled Ines.

- Shhm! Could you be more discreet? There's no way he didn't hear you! I complained.

- Don't be such a drama queen , he would have turned around if so, she said.

- He is looking at you. Don't look around and act natural, whispered Noa"

I overcame the post-breakup loathe but I definitely didn't want to eye contact with him. After our breakup, we didn't left things friendly at all. Besides, not too long ago his driver nearly hit me with his car as I was crossing the street.

Anyway, I never wanted to be in a relationship ever again. Not that I was heartbroken but I felt like it was such a waste of time and energy, especially for someone like me. I wasn't the romance-desperate kind of girl but at the same time I think it's pointless to be part of a relationship if you're not emotionally committed. I did meet some nice guys, but except for my own ego, I didn't want to push things further.

It was half past 6 and I was still waiting for my driver to pick me up.  Thankfully I wasn't the only one waiting outside school. The funniest part about that,  is to witness how everyone starts socializing with people they barely know or even appreciate. But suddenly a shrill ambulance siren started screaming, quieting down all the chatting. Everbody was intrigued and curious to know where this ambulance howl was coming from. Two minutes later, the truck finally appears in front of the main entrance of our high school. We were all panicked. Is someone in our school dead? Is the school building in fire ?

My pocket was buzzing and I took out my phone to see hundreds of unread messages sent in our class chat group.

Ines: Apparently terrorists intruded the hall and someone was shot

Adam: Impossible my mother is a teacher. She would've had told me.

Samy: I think someone fainted and they just need an ambulance.

Those were the last messages in the group chat and I clearly had better to do than reading all of them. The school guardians were as confused as the students. One of them got a call and ordered his collegue to open the doors.

Everyone was staring at the doors to finally discover what was really happening. A grown man and a teenager emerge out of the school. They were both on foot, clearly not fainted or dead. I could see the relief and disappointment the students had in their eyes. They were expecting worse.

I heard a girl saying that the man was a sports professor in our high school and that the teenager is his student. But why did they need an ambulance?

Next thing I know is our school is closed since then and so is the whole country.