I was busy glancing at the 2:00 that stared back up at me. After making my decision, it felt insignificant yet significant at the same time. The time I had left didn’t matter because I was going to die anyways, but it did matter, because one way or another, this bargain with death had gave me time to make amends. To understand more.
Yesterday’s confrontation with the volleyball girls was eye-opening for me. It made me realize many things like the fact that there’s good and bad in everyone. This didn’t only apply to Dante, but to everyone else, meaning that the volleyball girls couldn’t be completely bad people. Just insecure perhaps.
I pursed my lips, Since when did I become so… deep…
Speaking of, now that I think of it, Monica, their team captain, was never among their crew. This made me feel a pang of guilt as I realized that I wrongly accused her.
“Kat,” Emma snapped a finger in front of me, “Hello? Earth to Kat?”
I blinked rapidly, waking up from my trance, “Sorry, just thinking.”
“About what?” She took a bite out of her panini.
“How to fix things,” I stood up, gazing at Dante’s table, “I’ll be back in a sec,” I rushed off, leaving a dazed Emma sitting there with a couple of my other friends approaching her.
Weaving through the tables before finally stopping, I caught Dante’s eyes. He nodded at me and I returned the favor. Our conversation yesterday set things straight, but we still weren’t on the best of terms and he’s not the only one to blame.
“Monica,” I cleared my throat, shifting awkwardly as I felt everyone at the table’s eyes on me, “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I was accusing you of something you didn’t do… I was just being prejudice and ignorant,” Dante’s lips quirked upwards at my words.
Monica waved me off, smiling, “Nah, it’s fine. I get why.”
“And Sofia,” I turned to the brown haired girl who stopped mid spoon, “And friends… You’re insecure I get it. But I just wanted to say that you guys are gorgeous so yeah… and don’t bully. Like please…”
I got an awkward nod in response. Grinning triumphantly, I sauntered all the way back to my lunch table, joining my friends, but not before I caught my brother’s gaze burning holes into the back of my head once again.
***
“I told you you would change your mind,” Luke sat on my desk, long legs dangling off as I opened my eyes.
“Mmph,” I rolled over, engulfing myself in darkness once again, “Let a girl sleep in on her last day alive.”
“So you have made your decision,” He sounded disappointed, “Might as well just end it now.”
I instantly jolted upright, “No. Don’t. Not yet. Please.”
“Why not?” Luke had an amsued look in his eyes, “You’re just going to die anyways.”
Licking my lips, I responded, “Because I want to support my brother one last time. And I want to make more amends,” I added lightheartedly, “You know, leave a good last impression before dying so people will buy me better gifts for my funeral.”
Unfortunately, my joke fell flat, an unsettling feeling sinking into my gut.
I was going to die today. For good.
It was hard knowing exactly when you’d die, but I guess you could say I was lucky in a sense. Most people don’t get a warning. Besides, no one else deserved to take my spot. That was just wrong.
YOU ARE READING
Bad Blood
Short Story"A soul for a soul." The last thing Katerina Manning expected was to die at the age of 16. Having lived a short and unfulfilling life, she would do anything for a chance to live again. So when Death turns up with a deal that gives her just that, sh...
