Celestai

☞ 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑎 POV

"Carissa, Carissa!" The strict headmistress called me for the thousandth time.

"Yes, Miss Kendrick," I exhaled, as I walked to her. What the hell did she want from me?

As I walked towards her, I got slapped on the face by her. Like, what the hell was that for?! I  disliked her so much.

"I've been calling you for the thousandth time, you wretched girl," she told me, and continued her yapping. I put my hands on my face to feel where she had slapped me.

"So I got slapped just for not answering? You're such an ass and I can't keep up with your shitty attitude anymore," I said back at her.

"I'm leaving, and I'm tired of being your little puppet. I'd rather stay on the streets than be with you," I said, walking to my room.

"Well, so be it. Leave," Madam Kendrick said. "I don't care at all, foolish girl."

I entered my room and packed all the necessary stuff needed. I just had a blanket and an old tote bag. At least it's something like home, except I don't have a home.

"Hmph!" I packed what's needed into my tote bag, including a book my mother had given me when I was little: The Magical Games. It makes it seem as if everything is magical. I packed it into my tote bag and left.

I heard Madam Kendrick telling the other kids,

"Don't be like her. Someone like her can never be loved. She's a mistake to this world," she said. I was so angry.

"Shut your mouth, you old hag! You're just a toxic old lady who can't mind her freaking business. Now I know why you can't ever get married!" I yelled at her, and the other madams of the orphanage laughed. Mrs. Kendrick, I wish I could have seen the look on your face as I slammed the door as I left.

My life had been terrible ever since my mom died while I was at the age of six, and I moved into this orphanage lonely and alone. My dad used to beat me up, and so he died of drugs, and I didn't really care about him.

I felt lonely all through my life. But there's a particular part of my mother I kept with me—the only book I carried everywhere. Even the book name was magical. I'd read the book almost every night to remember mom.

But things change in life eventually; you just have to wake up to reality. I walked and walked until I reached the market, hoping to find a job.

I helped some market women; the last one sent me to her son's house to deliver some flowers.

After she gave me the directions, I was already used to doing errands for Mrs. Kendrick. Why the hell was I still thinking about that old hag?

—AT HIS HOME—

I

arrived at his house. I knocked once—no reply. Second. Third. Nothing, until I turned around to leave and the door opened.

A guy with black messy hair, in a white button-up shirt leaving the top two unbuttoned, in some minion boxers and in white socks, was standing there looking at me. What a total weirdo. He looked 18.

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn't laugh.

"Umm... thanks. My mother definitely sent this to me, didn't she?" The way the words came out was smooth and his smile was so cute.

"Yeah," I said. I was smitten by his personality. I handed over the flowers and left. As soon as I turned to walk away, a red-haired girl approached me and started telling me some shit.

"So you're Penelope, you boyfriend snatcher!" she said, enraged. And I am not a boyfriend snatcher. I'm too young.

"I... I don't understand," I said, because I was kinda confused about who Penelope was.

"Don't play dumb with me," she said, turning her gaze to James, "and how dare you cheat on me, James, with this brunette bitch!"

"I am not a bitch!" I snapped at her, and she got more angry. Clearly, I wasn't helping.

"You kinda got it all wrong—" James tried to say, but she interrupted him.

"Don't lie to me. We both know you're cheating on me with this brunette bitch, giving her flowers now on our anniversary!" She looked at me, then back at James. Emphasis on flowers. She has trust issues.

"I was given this by my—" James was cut short by the red-haired lady again.

"Penelope, I know it's her and I'll end her." She looked at me and turned to leave. Jeez, no need to threaten me. I already got the warning. So what the fuck is her problem?

"I'm so sorry, Emily's bipolar and gets jealous easily," he said, looking really regretful.

"It's ok." I took my tote bag and walked away. I decided to go anywhere.

So I started my journey and reached the highway. I saw a shooting star and made a wish.

Mom always said dreams come true. Or was it wishes? I don't really know.

"I wish I could have a second life anywhere. A place my mother and I loved." Even though I knew wishes don't come true—it's just for kids.

As I was about to walk across the highway to the other side of the road, when the traffic light was red, a freaking red sports car crashed towards me with a lot of force.

"Boom!"

I blacked out. The impact of the car was huge; it pushed me over the bridge.

"I don't wanna die yet. I'm just sixteen," I said, crying and drowning into the huge lake. Bleeding and dying, losing consciousness. I couldn't even see; everything looked blurry.

"Can't I just have a fucking second chance?!" I yelled, my voice muffled in the water. And everything went black.