ALYSSA'S POV
"You stupid bitch! You're so fucking useless!" Miranda yelled as she raised her hand high above her head and slapped me hard.
My head whipped to the side, a loud crack echoing through the room. I fell hard to the ground and grabbed my head.
I felt like my head was about to explode or fall off my neck. I looked up at her through tear filled eyes.
Shock and pain had me frozen to the ground. I couldn't believe she raised her hand on me for the first time ever.
She used to be so kind, loving and the sweetest person I ever met. She never made me feel like my mother was truly gone.
She would always sing me a lullaby when I was having a nightmare and having a hard time falling asleep.
Had that all been an act? Was she only pretending? And why? What for?
"Mom..." I called out weakly, my voice filled with pain as I stared up at her, my eyes pleading with her.
She glared at me and leaning down she grabbed me up by the hair and pulled me up roughly.
"Don't you ever call me your mom, you stupid thing. Your mom is rotting in her grave." She spat.
I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief. How could she say that to me?
She had never said anything painful to me...how could...
Before I could process anything else, she pushed me to the floor again.
She pointed a finger at me, her eyes burning with anger and hatred.
"You'll have to work to pay me for taking care of your orphan ass. Your father left nothing behind." She said.
I frowned as I tried to get up, "But Dad always talked about leaving me a trust fund..."
She lashed out with her leg and kicked me aggressively. The kick landed on my stomach and I screamed in pain.
But she didn't stop, she kept kicking me, until I was barely conscious.
"Are you calling me a liar, you useless orphan? You better find something to do or I'll kick you out!" She yelled.
But her voice sounded faraway as I was slowly losing consciousness.
As my eyes fluttered close, I wondered if this was the end.
'Mom, Dad...why would you leave me?' The final thought in my head as I passed out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That was years ago. I was only fifteen when my stepmom turned on me and made my life a living nightmare.
My father's death was still very much fresh in my head when I was tossed into the cold hands of the world.
My name is Alyssa Brown and this is my story.
PRESENT DAY
I groaned as I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I stretched lazily as I reached for the table and put the alarm off.
I rolled out of bed and landed on the floor with a thud.
"Ouch." I moaned as I pulled myself up as slowly as I could. My muscles ached and my bones screamed with every step I took.
Yesterday's shift had been punishing. I was on my feet for several hours stretch, serving tables.