My Name Wasn't In The Script

"What the hell? That’s it? She died in the ending without even knowing her reason for becoming like that? That’s so unfaaaiiirrr!!!" Frustrated, I threw the book onto my bed. I only read the last chapter, but it felt like I was the one killed in the ending. Yes, I know she’s a villain. But she had her reasons! And she just dies like it was nothing? They did her dirty. So dirty! "Estella!" my aunt’s voice echoed from downstairs. Of course, I heard her right away. My room’s upstairs more like in the attic, a storage room turned into a bedroom. I don’t have parents anymore. They died in a car accident when I was ten. Since then, I’ve lived with my Aunt Esmeralda, her husband Uncle Ramil who’s basically addicted to cockfighting and alcohol and their two daughters, Clarisse and Janine, both around my age. And they are not kind. Yes. Straight to the point. They treat everything I do as if I owe them my life. Sure, they paid for my education from elementary to senior high, but they never fail to throw it in my face. Calling me “bad luck”, a burden, useless you name it. "Yes, Auntie!" I yelled back, trying hard not to let the irritation seep into my tone. I climbed down from the attic and was greeted by Aunt Esmeralda’s scowl. Uncle Ramil was slouched on the sofa, beer in hand even though it was only two in the afternoon. Clarisse and Janine were busy on t****k, swapping gossip. "What took you so long? I’ve been calling you! Wash the dishes, then clean the bathroom, okay? And don’t be lazy!" "Yes," I said, bowing my head. I had no choice. This wasn’t my house. I was just an extra in their family’s story. After finishing all the chores they gave me, I grabbed the garbage bag. The last task taking it to the big trash bin outside. I was almost out the door when Clarisse suddenly said, "Hey, Estella! My tulip necklace is missing from my room!" I raised an eyebrow. Oh? Just sharing? What’s that got to do with me? Want a microphone so you can announce it to the whole neighborhood? "Eh? And what am I supposed to do about that?" I replied, annoyed, without even looking back. She suddenly marched up to me and yanked my hair. "OWWWW!!" I screamed. "You stole it, didn’t you?! I knew it! You’re just jealous because I have things you don’t!" "What?! I wouldn’t take that! Let me go! I didn’t steal anything!" "You did! Liar!!" Without hesitation, she threw me to the floor like I was a worthless ragdoll. The garbage bag slipped from my hands and rolled across the tiles. And Aunt Esmeralda, Uncle Ramil, and Janine? They just watched. Like they were enjoying a live drama. "Give it back before I get angry GIVE IT BACK NOW!" "I have nothing to give back because I didn’t take it!" I cried, clutching my scalp that felt like it was about to rip off. "JUST GIVE IT BACK!" Aunt Esmeralda roared. My head hurt. My body hurt. My heart hurt. I wasn’t going to admit to a crime I didn’t commit. And even if I wanted to give back what they were looking for… what could I possibly hand over if I didn’t have it in the first place? Then Uncle Ramil spoke. "Wait… is this what you’re looking for?" In his hand was a tulip necklace. Clarisse’s tulip necklace. Clarisse immediately released me but not gently. She shoved me so hard that my head almost hit the floor. "You probably planted it there, huh? Classic move," she accused, glaring at me. "Just throw the garbage already. God, you’re all so noisy," Aunt Esmeralda grumbled, as if she was the one inconvenienced. Shaking, I stood up. One hand clutched the trash bag, the other still cradled my aching head. I stepped out of the house, unsure of what I was supposed to feel. Exhaustion. Pain. Anger. All at once. The big trash bin was across the street—the spot where the garbage truck picked everything up in one go. Still holding my head, eyes still wet from tears, my body trembling, I stepped onto the road. Halfway across, I heard it. "BWAAAAAM!" I looked up... A red car. Fast. Headed straight for me. I wanted to move. I wanted to run. But… I couldn’t. It was like something was holding my feet in place. Like time stopped for me, but not for it. One second. Two. BANG! I flew into the air, the trash bag with me. Sounds blurred together screams, tires screeching, the thud of my body hitting the pavement. The last things I felt? Cold. Pain. And silence. …And then everything went dark.