[ WP ] Science has advanced to where we can predict the day and the month of our deaths , but not the year . Today is your potential death day .

Today is the day, I'm sure of it. Every year I dread my potential death, but I've never felt so certain of something before. Setting three different alarm clocks did n't wake me up on time, my students may never see their teacher again, or at all today. I've never understood the law that enforces us to follow through our daily routines on our death day. I mean if we're going to die there's no way around it. You ca n't fight fate. *Shit, * I'm 45 minutes late. It's a great thing I live two blocks away from school, I'm just torn between driving and walking. I suppose I'll drive my car, I'd rather die in a car crash than be ran over by one. 
 
 `` Where have you been?'' was the first thing Sarah said to me when I got to my class. I did n't expect her to cover for me considering today is her death day too. She could be lying in her bed still since she does n't have a first hour. Then again, the law does forbid breaking your daily routine and she comes early everyday to talk to me before my class starts. We've been best friends since I started working here 5 years ago. 
 
 `` None of my alarm clocks went off this morning, so sorry I'm late. Did you start them on their reading assignment?'' I asked Sarah. 
 
 `` Oh my god Rose, what if today is **the** day?'' Sarah asked me with alert eyes and a wrinkled forehead. A look that turned her unquestionably beautiful face into that of child that was just told Santa is n't real. 
 
 `` I really do n't think so Sarah, what happened to the idea that we're going to die together in a nursing home? You got a new idea for our same dates?'' I replied nervously, hoping she did n't see the fear written on my face. 
 
 `` Yeah you're right, nothing else would explain us having the same date. But hey, I've got some papers to grade, we'll talk later'' 
 
 `` Okay, see ya'' I said to Sarah before she left for her classroom. 
 
 When I finally looked around the room at my students I noticed none of them were reading. 
 
 `` Good morning'' I addressed the class cheerfully. All I received in return were blank stares. 
 
 `` No good morning for me?'' I said but still nobody replied a word. They were all just glaring at me in a dismayed way. 
 
 `` No really guys, is there something I should know?'' I pleaded with my classroom. 
 
 `` Miss Hicks, Billy has a gun'' blurted Liz, who has always been quick to tattle on her classmates. `` He has it in his lap.'' 
 
 That was when the first shot went off leaving the entire classroom in uproar and me certain that today was my death day. 
 
 Everyone was still in panic when Billy Lawesom fired the gun again. Standing there in pure shock I kept my eyes closed for what felt like hours, no, days. I woke up today feeling sure I would die, now in the class I had grew to love, I would breathe my last breath. Standing here now I know I will never have a family, travel, or go back to school to become a psychiatrist like I've dreamed of since I knew teaching was n't my true calling, is n't nearly as devastating as knowing Liz and whoever else got shot will never even graduate. I must plead with Billy, make him stop. Use the rest of your bullets on me, *please*. 
 
 `` Now Miss Hicks, I want you to go next door and get Miss Beak'' the shooter told me. I ca n't! No! Not my best friend, not sweet Sarah. Sarah who is getting married in 2 months. Sarah who just moved into her new house on the west side of town in a luxurious 2 story house. Sarah who has a great life to look forward to. Sarah, who is my best friend. I can not bring her over here to die in a place she ca n't wait to leave at 2:30. 
 
 `` Miss Hicks, if you do n't get her, I'll shoot again'' said the gunman. 
 
 `` Billy, why do you want Miss Beak'' I cried. 
 
 `` Because I have a bone to pick with her, you know what Miss Hicks, how about I come up to the front of the room and hold this gun to your head then walk you over to her room and kill you in front of her?'' bargained the kid I once knew as Billy. The Billy who's dad beats him. The same Billy that all of the kids make fun of for wearing dirty clothes and not bathing. 
 
 `` O-okay B-billy, I'll go g-get her'' I managed to spit out. 
 
 `` If your not back in 30 seconds, I'll kill everyone in this class. You and Miss Beak will be free from my wrath but in return you'll be the reason 24 innocent kids were murdered'' dared the monster. He motioned with his weapon for me to bring him his next victim, the woman I confide in. I must not walk too fast for he will shoot me before I can tell my best friend how much she means to me. I have just got into the hallway when I see Sarah's face perplexed face. 
 
 `` S-s-sarah B-billy h-h-as a a g-g-gun, he w-wants ta-talk ta y-you, we h-have 30 s-seconds b-b-before he s-s-shoots a-again'' I somehow explained. Sarah did n't say anything, she just walked into the dungeon as if she were a prince going to save his princess. I followed her, somehow. When I entered the room I felt the rooms air weighing me down do the floor, vomiting as I fell. 
 
 `` Miss Beak, you know how yesterday when you saw Liz making fun of me you gave me detention? And do you remmeber what you said to me before you sent me off on my way?'' the monster questioned. 
 
 `` I remember you calling her na'' 
 
 `` You stupid fucking cunt, you did n't hear what she said to me did you? You goddamn bitch, she was telling me she prayed my dad would kill me so she'd never have to smell me again. You did n't catch that did you bitch? You did n't fucking hear her because you'd rather send the homeless looking boy to detention than the straight A student, huh Miss Beak. Do n't worry, I got something for you.'' proclaimed Billy. He slithered over to Sarah, grinning at her as he walked. Then, directly in front of her he stood. So close their mouths were almost touching. He began to lift his gun, slowly lifting, lifting until the gun was on Sarah's chest. I closed my eyes hoping if I squeezed them tight enough I'd wake up from this nightmare. 
 
 `` Miss Hicks, you want to look at this!'' sang the snake. I opened my eyes to see sweet Sarah with her bare chest exposed. 
 
 `` Who wants to see me fuck Miss Beak?'' hissed Billy. 
 
 `` How you gon na do that Billy if you do n't have any balls'' whispered a brave soul. 
 
 `` Who the fuck said that?!'' Questioned the thing but nobody said a word. `` I'll fucking show you my balls then blow your fucking brains out! Fess the fuck up so I can end your fucking miserable life'' 
 
 `` It was Jeff!'' Emily cried before the gun went off again leaving the classroom in silence. 
 
 `` Now, where were we Miss Beak?'' Billy mockingly asked. 
 
 `` Kill me now, oh dear God, please. I do n't want this thing touching me anymore!'' was the last thing my best friend spoke. 
 
 `` Now that the bitch is dead, who wants to play a game?'' began the devil, `` Anyone got any ideas on what to play?'' 
 
 `` Yeah, how about Russian roulette with those last two bullets you got in that revolver?'' said someone far away. Billy stood quietly, a smile forming on his face. 
 
 `` Nah, I know what I'm going to do with these last two'' barked Billy before he shot the questioner. `` Anyone have any idea about who gets to eat the last bullet?'' I know who it's for. Me. This is what I've been waiting for all day, my death. Today is my last day and all I hope for is death to be painless. My last wish, the end of me to be quick. I have n't believed in God since I was a freshman in high school, so I do n't expect to wake up in a magic land. Just blankness, which would be a nice way to end this day. Nothing. What I remember from sleeping when I do n't remember my dreams. Nothing. It will be spectacular to end like that. My life to cease in this moment. 
 
 Finally, the last shot went off. 
 
 But, I felt nothing. 
 
 Am I dead? This ca n't be death, I'm still conscious. I opened my eyes to see Billy Lawesom lying dead on the floor. In that moment I knew the certain feeling of dying that I woke up with was not because I was going to die but my Sarah.
