Ordinary morning

-Before the end of the world-

Our family would gather in the cozy confines of our small dining room – my parents, my two younger siblings, and myself.

"Nathaniel, go to the kitchen and bring the ketchup, please." Like a rite of passage for teenagers, I reluctantly rose from my chair, my violet eyes glancing at my younger brother.

"The only reason why you sent me is because I am oldest?."

"That's not true Nathan, I am sending you because you are most responsible." my mom responded sarcastically.

Josh shifted in his chair, his light brown curly locks briefly meeting my gaze, while Alice, engrossed in her screen, paid little attention, tapping her slender fingers through her black-dyed hair, her soft blue eyes shining.

"Are you again texting with your boyfriend?"

"Shut up Josh! he isn't my boyfriend." a chatter got distanced as I moved to the kitchen, my short black messy hair cast a comical shadow on the table, making me realize why people joked that only a bird was missing to complete a nest.

After dinner, two out of three kids would take care of the dishes – one washing, the other wiping and arranging. Today wasn't my turn, so I grabbed my jacket and hurried towards the door.

"I'm leaving. Don't wait up; I'll be back in the morning." An evening of fun was awaiting me at a friend's house. His parents were often out of town, turning their home into the venue for weekly parties. With a click of the key in the lock, I freed myself from our home, and my feet carried me along the main road on the sidewalk.

Like any young man, my interests were evolving, embracing the trifecta of alcohol, drugs, girls, and, for me, cars. Oh, how I loved those exhilarating machines. As I reached the stretch of the main road forming an 'S,' my friend's house awaited at the end. This was perfect, as our village was closed for amateur drift races that day, turning the street into a spectacle I could enjoy from his window.

Engines roared, and I paused on the safely separated sidewalk, captivated by the sight of cars drifting around each curve. Car after car, maintaining their drift through the entire 'S' curve – it was mesmerizing.

Fate played its ironic hand. What should have saved me became the instrument of my demise. I stood frozen in fear as a car hurtled toward me with its headlights ablaze. In that fleeting moment, a cascade of thoughts raced through my mind. Our gazes locked – the driver's eyes widened, realizing the race's end, mine wide open, acknowledging the end of my life.

"It can't be," I thought, believing the barricades would stop the car. But with incredible speed, it crashed through, slamming into me and pinning me against the fence that was behind. Dying wasn't that terrible, I mused; at least this was swift and painless. I met the driver's eyes once more – he was shaken and bewildered. Why?

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry," he repeated, his words blending into a mumble that faded away with the rest of the world.