Different

Part One

There's some things that I just don't get. Everyone's the same, really. We've all been born from the same mother, all been raised the same, and we've all been through the same hardships and reliefs. Yet, why do people treat me differently? I'm the same, honestly! What is it that makes me different...? What is it that makes other people "different"? I just don't get it...

"Iris!" my guardian yelled. "Get up! You'll be late!" Ugh, I hated having to hear that yell every morning. Why is she even yelling at me to do stuff?! She's not even my real mother....but she didn't know I knew that.

"IRIS!" she yelled again.

"Alright, alright! I'm up, Sav-- mother," I quickly replied back. It wasn't allowed for a child to call their "parents" by their real name. That, and I didn't want her to know I knew her secret.

I got up out of my bed and looked at my surrondings. Gosh, this isn't acceptable. Concrete floor, dangling lightbulb on the ceiling that occasionally flickered, and a matress on the floor that was considered a "bed". This was torture! No child should be living like this. I bet all the other kids have nice bedrooms with amazing (and comfortable) beds.

I went over to a big pile of clothing that was on my floor. As expected, all of them were dirty and...oh my gosh, don't even get me started on how they smell. The way I'm living isn't right; it shouldn't be like this.

From the clothing pile, I picked up a grey hoodie, some black jeans, and some mismatch socks. Of course, they had holes and stains all over them. I carefully put on my clothes, trying my best not to damage them any further. Once on, I ran upstairs to the bathroom. I walked inside and locked the door behind me. The last thing I needed was for my "mother" to barge inside and yell at me.

I walked up to my mirror, broken by hatred and bad moments. I remember exactly how the mirror broke.

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"Young lady, you better get in here right now," Savannah said.

"NO, YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" I screamed.

"Iris, I am not joking. Get. In. Here. Now!" she shot back. I could hear the hate and anger in her voice. I refused to listen, though. I had just found out that she wasn't my real mother. She wasn't the boss of me.

"Never...I hate you....," I mumbled under my breath.

"What did you just say?"

"I hate you!" She came over and picked me up by my arm. I was starting to regret what I just said. I-I was scared. So scared that I couldn't even move anymore, couldn't speak anymore. I was motionless. Paralyzed.

Savannah took me into the bathroom and slammed my motionless body against the mirror. Pain started to surge throughout my entire body. Blood started trickling down from my forehead. Yet, I still sat there completely motionless.

"Listen to me, you...," Savannah started to say. "Never say that again. The consequences will be even more worse if you do." Then, so her husband wouldn't blame her for the incident, she yelled, "Honey, come quick! Iris is trying to hurt herself again! What do I do?!"

My "father", Austin, came rushing into the room. "Oh my gosh... Iris!"

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That memory was burned into my mind forever. After that moment, I always obeyed Savannah. Never talked back to her, never showed my hatred. One of these days, though, life will change.... and I'll get my revenge.