Leandra's family

"Until when are you going to slack off, Leandra?"

My aunt's voice lingers on my ears. That was the first thing I heard from my Aunt Carmela. I closed my eyes a bit before sighing while doing the crocks.

"I fell asleep shortly because I had a rough day yesterday at school, Auntie," I said defeatedly.

Her eyebrows wrinkled, "Hah! I'm not buying that again, Leandra! You're staying and eating delicious foods here for free, and yet... You can't do household chores properly?"

Auntie left the kitchen and went directly to the sofa where her spoiled-brat daughter is there.

"Claret is here all day, Auntie. She had free time yesterday–"

Before I could finish my sentence, Claret interfered. "Mom! She's back at it again. Babbling back at you!"

Aunt Clara gave me a sharp look. I looked away and soothed myself and remained silent. There's no day Aunt Clara and her daughter comprehend me. All they do is spit inappropriately.

I've been with them since I was just two up until now that I'm already nineteen and a college student. Sometimes, I always pray to God and ask him why my life is so hard while others are not.

My parents died back when I was just a child. I never saw my mom– neither the two of them to be honest. The only way how to figure them out is by asking my Aunt about their appearances every time and taking a quick sketch about their faces.

"Clean the whole house, Leandra. Claret and I will shop today."

A hefty sigh came out from my lips. Aunt Clara's husband is already dead and she's the one who's working for our daily needs. She's an escort from a well-known club here in our town. Many politicians became my aunt's clients.

I don't like the work she has but I have no choice since it's the only way to withstand and pay for our daily necessities.

At a young age, I became knowledgeable of such things. Both Claret and I were trained by her mom but I never wanted to be like hers. My only goal is to become free from them and have my rights, freedom indeed. Being exploited and inebriated isn't easy. I'm weary and I don't want them to control my life.

Even if I work as a part-timer, it's still not sufficient to support me and my everyday necessities.

Like what normal teenagers do, I am the only one who cleans the house and almost the one who does the household chores despite how busy I am.

"We'll be having a field trip, Auntie. I want to join..." I said when I knocked on her door.

Auntie Clara is doing her make-up done but was interrupted when I went inside her room and told her that.

Her eyebrow instantly furrowed. "What do you want? Money?"

I bit my lower lip. Our school will be having a field trip in the forest on Saturday and I badly wanted to participate. We're going egg hunting in the forest near the mountain, an activity in our school. It's not mandatory but I badly wanted to come.

Our teacher told us that the activity will be held in the forest two hours away from our school. I got excited like what my classmates do but got disappointed after knowing I should get my aunt's approval upon joining.

Slowly, I nodded my head like a kid. I shouldn't always ask things out to her before doing something or else...

"My friends will be joining as well as the whole class and other blocks. I just want to ask if... I can join them?" I merely said.

I can say I'm scared of my aunt. Who wouldn't? She's thorough, manipulative, toxic, and cruel. Aunt Clara and her daughter don't hurt me physically but they do hurt, trench, and stressed the hell out of me mentally.

Aunt Clara closed her pocket. I remained standing, frowning while playing with my fingers.

"When is that going to happen?" She asked coldly while fixing her things.

I spoke, "T-Tomorrow, Auntie." I merely said.

"How much money do you need?"

I don't exactly know if I heard it right. Auntie Clara always complains whenever I wanna do something she doesn't want me to. Yet, it looks like luck is on my side.

The maroon dress she's wearing hugs her body tight. I couldn't say my Aunt is ugly but instead, I'll say otherwise. She's pretty, tall, curvy despite her age, and has still the allure.

Compared to her and her daughter Claret, there are bunches of differences between the two especially when it comes to attitude or personality.

Claret is tall. Her long wavy black hair bestowed more life to her meticulous complexion. Like her mother, she's not kind and not that bad either. Sometimes, we hang out but frequently don't.

"Enough for three days camping, Auntie."

Auntie Clara pulled a bill out of her bag. She stretched her long arms, I was about to take it using both hands when Auntie Clara seized it away from me.

Her eyebrows shut up, "You've been a good girl these past few days, dear. I don't like what you did earlier but I'll just let it slide this time."

Slowly, I bit my lower lip and sulked. "I'm sorry, Auntie."

One person caught my attention. She entered Auntie Clara's room wearing her off-shoulder fitted dress, sandals, makeup, and her sling bag. Uh, Claret is being polished with her various fashion style.

Sometimes, Aunt Clara is good to me but she often throws crooked words against me. Nevertheless, I still do whatever she says. She was the one who supported me financially, and the least I can do is reciprocate it by doing all that she wants even before up until now.

Claret gave me a meticulous look. "Where are you going again, Leandra?"

"U-Uh.. a camping–"

Her eyebrows furrowed, "A camping and you need money?" She sarcastically said.

Slowly, I nodded. "Yes..."

"Look at this girl, you've been staying here for already 18 years yet... my mom still gives you money? You have a part-time job, right? How thick your face is?"

All I wanted is to come and have fun with my friends in the camp. I've been hearing taunts every day from Claret and to be honest, even if I'm used to it already, I still get hurt. Is it still normal?

Mind you, Aunt Clara wasn't like that always but I can say both of them gave me trauma. A collision I don't wanna talk about.

"Just let her, Claret. Shut your mouth. I'm already agitated,"

Claret's eyes rolled, "Fine. Whatever you want, Mom. Let's go," then followed by her meticulous tone.

Auntie Clara gave me a few dollars I should spend during our trip. Right after they left, a long and heavy sigh came out of my mouth. Feeling suppressed by the hot air inside, I quickly meandered outside and went directly to my insignificant room.

We don't have any classes during weekends. I decided to fix all my clothes including all the necessary things I'll bring. The camping will last for three days, which means, we'll be there exploring and discovering things in three days.

I don't have any problem with that. It's just that... I don't think my Aunt and cousin would. Knowing both of them weren't cleaning, cooking, and doing the laundry, for sure, they'll get mad.

But still, if only I had the chance to flee from them, I'll gladly take that chance no matter what it takes.

"Should I just bring more pants or leggings and shorts?" I asked, talking to myself like a crazy girl.

My friends and I are excited and scream anticipation while talking in our group chat. All of them already sent the pictures of their packed things except for me.

Not until my phone vibrated and they wanted to have a group call. A small smile crept on my lips when I saw them giggling and looking excited for tomorrow.

"Hey, are y'all guys ready for tomorrow?" Travis asked while having a huge smirk on his lips.

I leaned on the wall and rested my back there before nodding, "Thank God my Auntie let me." I said with a hint of solace.

Rose swirled her eyes. "Gosh. It seems like your abusive relatives will get happier if you vanished!"

My lips curved and formed a sad smile, "No. I doubt it,"

"Anyway, have you all got your tickets for tomorrow's bus?" Brooke inquired.

All of us said the word yes. The bus we'll be riding tomorrow is free. Since it's a project and required to be done, the gas and the fees are already on the school's shoulders. Not bad, huh.

But our food is already upon us. Trevor and the others already bought a few. Good for five packs and our everyday meal valid for three days.

"What do you think will happen tomorrow?" Lucas asked out of nowhere.

My eyebrows wrinkled, "Of course, they said there's an egg in the forest near the mountain. Like... a dinosaur egg?" I chuckled.

Trevor reacted, "Oh, yes! That's what our professor said, right? Whoever can find that egg will be given a price of A+ in your grades?"

"Yes!" Rose conceded.

Our phone is on a video call. All of us. I was just silently fixing my shirts I'm gonna wear tomorrow when Brooke spoke, "I'm gonna make a vlog tomorrow about ghost hunting."

"Dude, it's egg hunting, not ghost hunting," Trevor said, laughing a bit.

He's fixing his bow while in front of us.

"Haven't y'all heard the rumors of that mountain near the forest?" Brooke added, piquing our interest.