2022
I open my eyes and scan the room.
"Where am I!?"
It feels familiar. I know I've been here before, but I don't remember.
And then it hits me. I see gray. Is this a dream? Or the afterlife? Suddenly, someone enters the room.
"GRAY!? PHOEBE!?" Am I dreaming? I can't believe what I'm seeing right now—a young Phoebe and Gray. It's like I've traveled back in time.
"Why are you so surprised to see us,
EM? It's like you haven't seen us in years. Is it the effect of almost dying?" Phoebe says with a grin, and they start laughing.
As they come closer to me, I slap Phoebe to make sure this is real.
"Ouch!" she exclaims dramatically. "Why would you do that!? You ruined my blush." Then she pulls my hair.
"Stop it, you two. You were always fighting when you were together," Gray says.
"Duh, of course, that's our definition of best friends, right, Em?" Phoebe remarks.
"Tsk, EM, are you okay!? Why did you take the challenge? You know it's dangerous. It's your and Katy's fault," Gray accuses Phoebe, and they start arguing.
"Oh, really? Then why didn't you stop us? And I know you bet on Em," Phoebe retorts.
While they continue arguing, I freeze in shock. What happened? Did I go back to the past?
I remember almost drowning twelve years ago, and tomorrow night, that accident will occur, changing my life.
Is this a chance? Can I prevent that tragedy? Can I prevent Katy from experiencing it?
"Where's Katy?" I ask.
Before they can answer, someone opens the door, and it's Katy. As I see her, I immediately run towards her and hug her tightly.
"I miss you, Katy," I say, crying hard.
"Whoa, what happened to you, Em? Did something hit your head while you were drowning?" she jokingly asks.
"Nothing, I just miss you," I reply.
She knows I'm not joking and starts to comfort me.
"Hush, Em. I'm always by your side. I'm not going to leave you all," she says.
Gray and Phoebe stay quiet because they know I'm serious.
Others enter the room too: Jane and Blake, my best friends before that accident happened.
I remember this. We were at Katy's parents' private resort, where we usually hang out. It's Katy's birthday, so we're staying here for two days because we have classes on Monday.
"What is this drama, you four?" Jane asks.
"Haha, why didn't you call us to join?" Blake adds.
"Tsk, I know you two are flirting, so we didn't bother," Phoebe teases them.
"Shut up, Phoebe," Jane irritably says.
"I have nothing to deny," Blake playfully responds.
Jane smacks Blake in the face, and we all laugh.
"Come outside, guys. We should enjoy ourselves here," Gray suggests, and he starts running. Jane and Blake chase after him, while Phoebe and Katy stay behind.
"What about you, Em? Are you okay? Do you want to go outside?" Phoebe asks.
"I will stay here. My arms hurt, and I will read a book to pass the time. You two should join them," I reply, even though my real intention is to prevent that accident from happening.
"Tsk, typical nerd Emily. Haha," Phoebe jokily said
"Ok, Em, if you need anything, just call us," Katy said.
And they left, while I just lay down again, trying to process what happened to me.
I slap my face again and again, but nothing happens. Did I come back to the past? This is my chance to set things right.
I didn't realize I had fallen asleep, thinking of how to prevent that accident. I woke up, and it was already night. I got out of the room and went outside,where I saw them setting up for the party. Gray noticed me.
"Hey, Em, are you okay?" he asked, touching my head. I felt butterflies in my stomach and snapped his hand away.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I said and walked towards Jane and Katy.
"Hey, Em," Jane and Katy greeted.
"Hey! Happy birthday to my dear friend," I said to Katy and hugged her. Jane joined too.
"Thank you, Em, for always being there ever since we were in elementary. You always protected me, and you too, Jane. Thank you for being a great friend," Katy said to us. The three of us were friends since elementary school, and we met Phoebe, Gray, and Blake in high school.
I helped prepare the decorations and arrange the food, but I kept my eyes
on Katy. When we were almost finished, Phoebe suddenly went to Katy and whispered something to her. They both went to the shore. I stopped what I was doing and was about to follow them, but Blake stopped me and ordered me to help him blow up the balloons.
"Come on, Blake. My throat hurts," I excused myself and pointed to Gray. "Gray, help Blake blow up the balloons. My throat hurts," I said.
"Okay," Gray replied, and I ran towards the shore, but they weren't there. I came back and saw Katy with a downcast face.
"Is there something wrong, Kat?" I asked.
"None, Em," she said.
"What did Phoebe and you talk about?" I asked, and she froze.
"Oh, nothing. Come on, Em, the party's starting," she said.
I went inside the house and got the present for Phoebe. We gathered at one table, and in the center was the cake. I saw Phoebe with a gift too.
We started to sing "Happy Birthday" to Katy. "Happy birthday, Katy, happy birthday, Katy, happy happy birthday to our dear friend Katy." Katy blew out the candles, and we gave her the gifts.
"Thank you, guys," she said while in tears.
While we were eating, she opened our presents for her.
Me - Friendship bracelet
Jane - Luxury bag
Blake - A ring
Gray - Stuffed toy and a watch
Phoebe - Concert ticket to Katy's favorite band
That night, we celebrated Katy's birthday, and I saw Katy and Phoebe talking happily. Maybe I was just imagining things.