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Dying: A Short Story

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Graduating should be easy, especially when you’ve already finished all your classes. All you need to do is receive a diploma, shake hands, then walk away. It should be simple. So why was Virgil stuck in the bathroom, on the floor as the anxiety crashed over him in never-ending waves? It wasn’t as if he wasn’t prepared. His parents had definitely gone a bit overboard, yet still tried to be conscientious of his anxiety over the whole thing. They had the gown nicely pressed, his hat customized with a little storm loud and rainbow on top, along with an after-party with just them and the dog eating cake and pizza. Nice, relaxing evening. Nothing to worry about. Except Virgil’s mind was reeling with the big question that haunts all graduates: …show more content…

He didn’t have any friends. His dog might notice, but Smokey was just a dog. She would move on pretty easily. Parents? Sure, they’d be a bit upset; raising a kid for eighteen years, only to have all that progress erased? That would be traumatic, to say in the least. But then again, the thought that they’d be devastated is under the assumption that they still liked him after everything he’d done. Maybe he was doomed for a life that would end at his own hands. So far, it hadn’t exactly been great—plenty of irreversible mistakes, too many problems that no one could fix. He was just bringing everyone down. Everyone Virgil knew hated him, except his parents and Smokey (or did they? He wasn’t sure). He wouldn’t last three days in the “real” world, not with all his history. It was like he was teetering on the edge of insanity, and there was nothing he could do. Concern gave way to apathy when he realized he didn’t care anymore. Not about his family, not about his future, and certainly not about himself. Why should he? Who would miss him when he’s gone? Sighing heavily, he pulled out a pocket knife. It was something he bought in secret for the sole purpose of ending his life someday. He didn’t expect to be using it this soon, but if anyone knew about the crazy turns life could give, it was

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