The Wish I Made That Day

As kids, why are we expected to figure out our life’s path before we even graduate? How quickly are we meant to become cogs in the system? Like farm animals, they feed us and feed us until we’re nice and fat, ready to produce a ton of meat. School doesn’t want us to be the bright souls we’re meant to be. From the moment we take our first steps, the training begins. We’re on our way to becoming the next mindless drone in society.

I mean, I can’t complain too much. It’s not like I’m made to do much anyway. Math? Not my strongest subject. Communication skills? Eh, subpar at best. My father says I’m a wizard with computers, but he doesn’t realize I accidentally downloaded another virus onto his work laptop. I failed to install a pirated video game, but hey, there are dozens of single ladies in my area who want to meet me! I may not have any useful skills, but at least I have the charm of a playboy.

Buzz buzz. Buzz buzz.

As I sat in class, blankly staring at the “See me after class” note my teacher graciously left on the test I bombed, I felt a strange vibration in my pocket. I didn’t even have to look to know it was my best friend spamming my phone with messages.

I quickly crumpled my botched science test and tossed it into the wastepaper bin in the corner of the classroom. Sitting in the back left corner of the class, right by the window, I managed an impressive shot, considering my terrible aim. It’s a miracle nobody got caught in the crossfire.

Pulling out my phone, I was immediately met with—what the hell is this?

“DUDE”
“CHEGKJ THE NEWS RIGHIT NWO!!”
“WEATHEAR CHANNEL OR SOEMIOTG!”

I’ve known Marshall all my life, so you’d think I’d be used to his god-awful texting by now. When he’s excited, his fingers shake like crazy, which means his messages turn out like this.
You’d be wrong.

“What the hell are you saying, man?” I responded, because what else could I say?

“METEOR SHOWEEERRR!! I’m making hellaaaa wishes tonight, bro! Money, girls, fame, I want it ALLLLL! The whole group chat is meeting up to watch it! You coming??”

“Can’t. Got work.”

If I had a dollar for every time work got in the way of something cool, I’d have, like, twenty dollars. I’m not big on wishing on shooting stars or whatever, but I’ve got some nerdy friends who lose their minds over this stuff. I guess I’m less interested in the meteor shower and more interested in seeing my friends happy.

“Awww, fr?? You gotta quit, dude! That’s not the life for you!”

“Marshall, I love you. You’re a great dude, but you don’t know how the world works. If I quit my crappy retail job, the whole world might as well explode.”

“LMAOOOO okay, I get it. I’ll try to get pictures.”

Honestly, I’d feel a little hurt if he sent me pictures of the gang hanging out without me, but I know he means well. Tucking my phone away, I stood up and began the trek to the aforementioned crappy retail job.

Seeing as I can’t do much else in life, I imagine I’ll be working there until I’m gray and old. The customers piss me off, my coworkers suck, but I’m basically incapable of working anywhere else.

After a long, grueling shift, I was done. I thought about grabbing something to eat on the way home, but I needed a break from everything. My whole day had been dealing with people—school during the day, old customers in the evening, and annoying teenagers at food joints afterward? No thanks.

I hopped on my bike and rode aimlessly. A little “me time” felt overdue. Normally, I hate being alone with my own thoughts, but tonight, it felt necessary. I rode past my street and onto the quieter side of town. Thirty minutes later, I arrived at a camping spot my mom used to take me to when I was younger.

It was a large hill blanketed in trees, with a clearing at the center that was perfect for camping. Even as a kid, I knew when I needed to escape from the world, and this spot always gave me peace.

Finally, there I was. Settling into the grass, I rested my head on my arms and stared blankly at the sky. The meteor shower was long over, but every so often, I caught a stray shooting star.

I was pulled from my trance by a warm, wet sensation on my face. Tears. One tear, two tears, five, a million.

Even in this peaceful place, I couldn’t stop thinking about my life. I hated it. I hated it. I hated it.

It was draining. It was exhausting. I’d wake up early for school, go straight to work, then sleep. I had no time for hobbies. I couldn’t do anything beyond the level of an eight-year-old. I was useless. I saw no future worth living.

“Why couldn’t I be born someone else...?”

My mouth moved on its own. My soul spoke the words I didn’t have the strength to say.

“Why can’t I start over...?”

I wanted a new life—not just to be someone else, but to have a life worth living.

Shiiiiine.

I wiped my tears and took a deep breath. I came here to find peace, not to break down. The stars above me were beautiful. My life might’ve been a mess, but stars? Stars shined bright no matter what.

Shiiiiiiiiine.

“Okay, that’s definitely not normal.”

One star stood out, brighter and bigger than the rest. It grew larger, closer, second by second.

“That’s not a st—”

I never finished the thought. My body was obliterated in an instant. At the age of seventeen, I had the dubious honor of being killed by a meteorite. Of all the places it could land, it chose me.

The world went black. I couldn’t see or feel anything, but I could hear.

“Keep pushing, Freya! You’re doing so well!”
“You’re almost there, honey! Oh, they’ll be beautiful!”
“Push hard, miss. Just like that.”

Were these rescuers? Did I survive? I tried to call for help, but no words came out. Only a loud, piercing wail.

“WAAAAAAAAH!”

It took a moment to realize—I wasn’t trapped under a rock. I wasn’t bleeding out. I was... being born.

“Congratulations, you two. You’ve been blessed with twins.”

A warm hand cradled me. A woman’s voice, soft and loving, whispered through tears.

“Oh, Aren... You’re so beautiful...”

Aren? That’s not my name.

“Welcome to the world, Astrid,” said another voice, addressing the small child crying beside me.

It finally clicked.

I wasn’t dead.

I’d been reincarnated.