One thing I know for sure is that I'm going to die a 16-year-old girl, in this lone school in Parkland, Florida, killed by a madman with a gun.
Of course, I'm scared, who the hell wouldn't be? I didn't think I would be dying today. I thought I was going to give my history presentation,
The one I had been working on for two weeks.
I am prepared for that, I even have notecards to go along with the presentation.
I am not prepared to die today. I am not prepared for my entire life to be over. I am not prepared to live out my final moments trapped in a cramped classroom filled with 20 other petrified kids.
I thought my life would be more than 16 uneventful years.
I thought my life would consist of adventure and excitement. I wanted to travel the world, and fall in love.
Speaking of love, I just realized today is Valentines Day.
How ironic.
So many hearts yearning, loving, aching, beating over cheap gifts bought at rundown drugstores.
All the while this man is killing off our heartbeats with an AR-15 he probably bought at a Walmart.
I got a valentine today, not that it matters anymore, but it's nice to think about it in these final moments.
It was from Jake.
I found it on my desk during French. It was a $2.99 Hallmark card that had a picture of a peanut butter jar and a jelly jar, both saying,
"You complete me!"
On the inside, he asked me out on a date to the Olive Garden on East Cameron street.
At lunch, I told him yes.
It was all kind of stupid, but I was excited, I was actually planning what I was going to wear when I heard the first shots.
Now, none of that stuff matters anymore.
Presentations, dates, clothes, valentines; none of that matters. Because I'm going to be dead in less than five minutes.
I can hear the shots getting closer, I can feel the terror leak out of these sweaty teenagers pores.
I close my eyes, I try to block out the screams echoing off the lockers, I try to block out my tears, I try to block out the blood-curdling shots.
I try to block out my ineffable fate.
I try to imagine a better future for myself, even if it will only give me one second of joy.
At least I will be happy before I become another blood stain on the floor.
#neveragain
Of course, I'm scared, who the hell wouldn't be? I didn't think I would be dying today. I thought I was going to give my history presentation,
The one I had been working on for two weeks.
I am prepared for that, I even have notecards to go along with the presentation.
I am not prepared to die today. I am not prepared for my entire life to be over. I am not prepared to live out my final moments trapped in a cramped classroom filled with 20 other petrified kids.
I thought my life would be more than 16 uneventful years.
I thought my life would consist of adventure and excitement. I wanted to travel the world, and fall in love.
Speaking of love, I just realized today is Valentines Day.
How ironic.
So many hearts yearning, loving, aching, beating over cheap gifts bought at rundown drugstores.
All the while this man is killing off our heartbeats with an AR-15 he probably bought at a Walmart.
I got a valentine today, not that it matters anymore, but it's nice to think about it in these final moments.
It was from Jake.
I found it on my desk during French. It was a $2.99 Hallmark card that had a picture of a peanut butter jar and a jelly jar, both saying,
"You complete me!"
On the inside, he asked me out on a date to the Olive Garden on East Cameron street.
At lunch, I told him yes.
It was all kind of stupid, but I was excited, I was actually planning what I was going to wear when I heard the first shots.
Now, none of that stuff matters anymore.
Presentations, dates, clothes, valentines; none of that matters. Because I'm going to be dead in less than five minutes.
I can hear the shots getting closer, I can feel the terror leak out of these sweaty teenagers pores.
I close my eyes, I try to block out the screams echoing off the lockers, I try to block out my tears, I try to block out the blood-curdling shots.
I try to block out my ineffable fate.
I try to imagine a better future for myself, even if it will only give me one second of joy.
At least I will be happy before I become another blood stain on the floor.
#neveragain
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Madison C
Mar 02, 2018
Wow. This is powerful. It offers a different view and side of this awful tragedy that one may not expect, which I think makes it even more meaningful and hard hitting. I liked how you were able to show that all of these victims had dreams, plans, and lives. All of which were lost and taken mercilessly. I thought it was also unique and powerful that this 16 year old is in this position and anticipates her death, something I wouldn’t have thought to do, but is impactful and important to communicating the point. I thought it was a great idea.
The last line was heart stopping and I found myself just sitting, thinking, and reflecting. Something that all good writing should make people do. Thank you for making a powerful impact on me and hopefully many others.