Tonight I went out with friends when I wasn't supposed to. I told my parents I was studying at a friend's house, but we went to the river instead. The weather was perfect and the water wasn't too cold. It was so close to summer, I was dying to be out of the classroom and in the sun again. I had so many plans for summer, so many things I hoped would happen. This was about to be the best summer ever. But those plans will never be fulfilled, at least not for me. Tonight, I died in the river.
It was silly, really. I wasn't wearing a life vest. When you're in high school, wearing something like a life vest isn't cool. I'm young and reckless, but there's no way I could die. Dying happens on TV and to grandparents. Death isn't for me. But the current was too strong and I got swept away. I tried to stay afloat but I became so tired. I fought until I took my last breath. One mistake cost me my life.
I'm no longer alive and there are so many things I want to say. I never got to say goodbye to my mom or dad. I'll never get the chance to say "I love you" one more time. I will never graduate high school or start a career. I will never experience what it's like to fall in love or become a parent. I'll never be able to console the people I loved, whom I hurt the most. All because I was irresponsible.
I was 15 years old and my story does not continue. My 16th birthday was going to be so exciting, I was finally going to get my license and drive by myself for the first time. Only a few more years and I'd be off to college. Maybe I'd spend some time traveling the world, like I always wanted to do.
Now, my dreams are just that: dreams. I wish I could stop my family from crying for me. Don't feel pain for my short lived life. I left too early and it is too late to change anything now. I overestimated my own abilities and I no longer reside on this earth. I could have avoided the river altogether, but everyone knows I was adventurous. I could have said no, yet I didn't. My story started and ended in this town and my story no longer keeps going. The river I died in will keep flowing and my friends I was with will continue to grow up. Oh how I wish I were still growing with them. I could continue my list of wishes, but they will never come true.
So let me say one final thing: I wish I had worn a life vest. Maybe I could have stood a chance, although we now will never know.
I'm sorry.
