text: "Dude! It's gonna be lit! Everyone is going to be there! What do you mean you aren't going?" Kevin was almost yelling. No, actually yelling. I didn't know what else to say, other than shrink under his wrath. "Bro, lay off-" Nick tried to pacify him, but that turned Kevin to the point of near physical violence. Nick grabbed him as he lunged forward and made a swiping motion. "Fuck you! You know how much I stuck my neck out for you to come? I told all my frat brothers that 'He's cool' and all that, and you're going to bail on me? I spent 50 dollars for us to go! Each!" Nick and Kevin wrestled for a little, but Nick was far stronger. He pushed Kevin off of him, and Kevin puffed his chest in rage and looked at me. "Tell me why, at least. You owe me that." Kevin stated "You don't owe him shit, Jacob. You don't want to go, that's it" Nick defended. "It's ok, man, " I started. I stood up and looked Kevin in the eyes. "Look, I'm really sorry. I really did want to go. Tell you brothers that I'm sorry, and I'll pay you back for my invite. But I thought that it was this weekend, not today. I mean, it's the 8th dude, you know I can't." Both of my friends instantly deflated. Kevin murmured "Shit *that's* today?", while Nick took a long exhale. The sudden silence was almost deafening as we all stared at the ground. Kevin raised his head to say something, than began backing towards the door. "Look man, I forgot. I'm sorry, uh, don't worry about paying me back. I got it. And I'm sorry I got so pissed, I, uh, pregamed a bit. If you don't want to be alone, then feel free to come. Wait, do you want us to stay with you this year?" Nick and Kevin looked at me expectantly, hoping this was the year I opened up about the death. It wasn't. I simply shook my head and winced at their collective sigh. I didn't look up, but I felt them squeeze me before I left. I waited like that until I heard the door shut, and their footsteps retreat down the hall. That's when I sunk to the floor, emptying myself of a years worth of pent-up pain and guilt and regret and and.... I wanted to tell them about him, so badly. I didn't want to do this alone. But I couldn't, because the person who died was me. An alarm shook me out of myself. That was all the time I left for grief. I had three hours to bargain for one more year. I went to my bed and slid it aside. Underneath was a inconspicuous gym bag weighed down with century old armor and weapons. What I was wearing that fateful day. I never wore the armor anymore, as it brought too much attention in the modern world. Instead, I simply drew my sword from all those years ago and began to head to the door. I invested in a umbrella shaped sheath years ago, which allowed me to move freely in public. I grabbed my keys and opened the door to find the grim reaper staring down at me. I almost flinched before steeling myself and pushing through the apparition. I walked down the hall and into the elevator. Just before the door closed, and hand forced the sensor open. I almost gripped my sword. To hell waiting till midnight, I'd deal with this right now. However, it was just a group of girls giggling about something. I shuffled to the far end of the elevator and they shuffled to the opposite end. They tried to muffle their conversation but I still caught snip bits as they looked over their shoulders in sneers. "He can't do it this time." "He should just quit at this point." "Why does he even want to live this long? I heard his life *sucks."* I shot the girls a look, but the doors opened at ground level and we all poured out. They began laughing about the party or something, leaving me to believe they didn't know what they were saying. I scoffed and tried to beeline for the door, but I heard Mr.Johnson call out to me. "Oh! Where you heading off to?" I forced a smile and looked back at him. "Ah I just don't like staying in that apartment all night. Gonna go for a drive." I turned to leave, but he didn't relent. "Oh? Well, have fun kiddo. Is it supposed to rain tonight?" "Well maybe! I got caught in a sudden storm once and I really don't want that to happen again." We shared a short laugh and Mr. Johnson rocked back in one of the lobby chairs. "Alright, don't let me hold you back from your date young mister. Just be safe and don't die ok?" I dropped my smile and Mr.Johnson gave a small wink. I turned towards the door as he began laughing at some other joke he heard. I went straight to the car and revved it, and noticed the clock read 11:00. Where...how? Was the elevator slower? The conversation... he was distracting me so I didn't notice him dilating time. Dammit! I'm not ready! I took off down the road, and made a mad dash towards the highway. Last time we had this duel in public, more people died, and I had to relocate completely! I just drove far and fast, not caring about the direction. I was one of two cars on the road. I cautiously readjusted my rear view mirror to watch the driver behind me sway and struggle to stay in the lines. I sped up a little to avoid him, but he maintained our distance. I glanced at him again only to see that he wasn't in my view. Or any view. Where- He hit me, sending both our vehicles tipping off the shoulder. We rolled a couple times before we finally stopped. The airbag almost knocked me out, and I lost track of everything. Where was he, where was I? The umbrella, no, my blade. I looked around, and saw it under me in the passenger seat. That's when I understood my origination; the passenger side was on the ground, and my seat belt was holding me in the air. I unbuckled it and fell with a soft grunt, onto the sheathed blade. I then kicked out my windshield, carefully crawling out on top of the car. That's when my hair began to stand on my neck. Another alarm called out into the night, echoing over the calling cries of the night. It was midnight.