the weird glasses

May 22nd, 20xx

Today is my 16th birthday, and it feels like any other day. My mom acted like she forgot, and my dad didn’t seem to care much. The only difference is that they took me to my grandparents‘ house for a „surprise party.“ I know the drill – I get to see my Uncle Lucas, who always gives me a generous present. Last time, he gave me $150, while everyone else gave me $20. I’m not complaining, though. I’m just grateful to see him.

I got ready for school in my usual attire – gray baggy sweats, a black hoodie, and white and black Nikes. On my way out, my mom greeted me and said, „Hello, Alissa. I’m surprised you’re ready for school.“ I could tell she was trying to hide her excitement, but I didn’t say anything and just nodded my head.

In class, I dozed off and had a strange dream about some weird-looking glasses with a strange voice calling out to me. I woke up to the sound of the school bell and thought about the glasses while walking down the hallway to get picked up. I saw the glasses on the table, wrapped in a box. I wondered if they were a gift from someone or if I was just going insane.

My dad teased me and said, „I say you’re going insane,“ as we drove to my grandparents‘ house. I shrugged and looked out the window, lost in my thoughts.

On the way, we picked up my mom and cousin. My mom acted like we were dropping my cousin off, but I knew better. She couldn’t wait to surprise me.

As soon as we arrived, everyone shouted, „Happy birthday, Alissa!“ and threw confetti. I thanked them all, but my uncle Lucas knew I saw it coming a mile away. He joked around saying he wouldn’t give me my gift, since I already knew what it was, even though I didn’t, he gave me a wrapped-up box that looked like the one in my dream. I opened it a little hesitantly, and it was the one thing I wasn’t hoping for was the glasses. I joked with him, saying I have a dozen of these but still thanked him. I accepted my other gifts and went home holding the glasses in hand. While in the kitchen, my dad was knocked out on the couch from drinking at the party. I looked back at the glasses slowly put them on and shut my eyes, thinking this is how I would die, but to my surprise, when I opened them I saw little orbs flying around me all with different things inside them, but one caught my eyes. It had one side with candy coming from the ground and the other side with green slime coming down. I tried to reach out to the orb and grab it. Next thing I know everything starts to swirl around me in colorful lights, then the next thing I know, I’m falling from the sky. Now I know I’m dead.