My Last Normal Day

The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the kitchen.

"You're going to be late," my mom called without looking up from the stove.

"I know," I mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast before rushing upstairs.

Today wasn't supposed to be special.

It was just another Monday.

Another day of pretending everything in my life was normal.

I threw on my favorite jeans, tied my hair into a messy ponytail, and checked my phone.

Emma ❤️

Meet us at lunch. Don't disappear again.

A smile tugged at my lips.

"Coming!" I shouted before running downstairs.

Dad was already waiting by the front door.

"I'll pick you up after school," he said.

"I can take the bus."

He hesitated.

"No. I'll come."

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

"Okay..."

The drive to school was unusually quiet.

Dad kept glancing at the rearview mirror like he was expecting someone.

"You alright?" I asked.

He forced a smile.

"Of course."

But I knew he was lying.

...

By lunch, I'd completely forgotten about it.

Emma was telling another dramatic story while Noah laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink.

For a moment...

Everything felt normal.

I just didn't know it would be the last normal day of my life.