There were only two things that Laney really held as her own, her studies, and her coins. She knew the only way she could ever live a life of her own was to work her way out, whether that be to complete the list of chores given by Franny, or the studies given to her by teachers. If she didn’t, there’d be no telling when she would ever escape the suffocating grasps of her wretched present. Now, the coins. As far back as Laney could remember, finding any type of bright golden coins meant everything. If she saw it, she just knew that everything was going to be okay. They would bring her luck. So, with each new coin she found, she put it inside her small
wooden chest in her secret compartment next to her dresser. Her father nor Franny knew they existed, and she planned to keep them that way.
Within a few hours, the house was spotless, and her stomach still empty, but with an illuminated smile Laney knew that it was time to head back to her room, as the beautiful wonders of Ancient Rome and Elizabeth Bennet were waiting for her in her bag. Laney loved this time the most, escaping off to faraway places, and meeting independent girls falling in love and
completing the extraordinary.
“ One day, Laney, one day” She whispered, as she opened her first book, ready to see what new adventures awaited her today.
Months were spent reading her way to the top of her class, bringing a new A+ back to Franny everyday, with her reward being a new chore like scrubbing the toilets or getting one more apple peel for dinner.
“Oh, so you think you getting your brain all fat is gonna get you some love?...Ha!” Franny roared to herself at the table, the room’s silence being pervaded by her monstrous laugh.
“No, of course not,” Laney replied sarcastically,
wishing she could take it back.
“Is that attitude coming out of your mouth! Oh Laney, listen to me. You are never going to be more than the boring slob sitting across from me, so don’t think your fancy books are going to make it so, got it?”
“Yes, Franny, I know” Laney murmured. She bit her tongue so hard trying not to let the tears escape her eyes, that the copper taste of blood ruined the mush of peas in her mouth.
As soon as “dinner” was over, Laney went and locked herself in her room for the rest of the night.