chapter 1: The Girl
Hey, this started out as an English assignment! I just thought I might go somewhere with this though. Let's see what happens! disclaimer: i do not own anything from this (except the things you don't fully recognize!)
"Katherine? Such a common name. No daughter of mine shall be bestowed with such a name."
"But ma'am, the girl is already four years old. You cannot simply change the child's name." The orphanage's operator did not understand. Then, how could he be expected to? He didn't know the child's unique purpose.
"I tell you, she will not be common! She is to be mine! I shall name her what I please!" I shouted through my door, dust coming from the ceiling as I shook the bedpost.
"What is her name to be then, m'lady?"
"I am NOT your lady! You may call me ma'am or Miss Havisham." I said, turning a delicate red with fury.
I am to be nobody's lady. Never again…
"As for the child, her name shall be," I paused thinking for a good name suitable for a child to be of my house. "Estella, her name is to be Estella."
"Very well, I shall change her papers," the frustrated man walked away from my bedroom door.
I opened it a crack to see that he was gone before I shuffled out. I walked past a mirror and paused. My dress had turned an off-white color in recent times. My stockings were wearing through in the toes of my feet and at the heels, and my skin was paling.
This will not happen to my daughter. This time she will be the one to break his heart.
My plan had worked thus far: I was going to be avenged.
I glided down the corridor in the dark and stopped at the third door to the right. The child, Estella, awaited my presence. I opened the door, quickly, so that I could see what damage the name "Katherine" could have done.
Oh, what work they leave for me…!
When I opened the door, the child stood up (which was fine) but I was greeted with a smile, and an attempted hug.
"I'm not yet your legal guardian, Estella," said I, using her new name. "It would be inappropriate, therefore, that you should hug me. The reason being that I am still upper class to you."
The child's eyes watered. What reason did she have to cry?
"Well, it isn't as if I won't love you when you are mine! I am not cold-hearted!"
I am broken-hearted.
The little girl nodded, taking a tiny fist and rubbing her eyes.
"Now, let me look at you." I held her at arms length and looked at her. Her skin was still soft from infancy. Her hands were not permanently damaged: I would soap them in saltwater later. Anybody could clean her ratty hair. It was just-
"Your eyes."
She shivered, "I'm sorry, ma'am," her squeaky voice apologized.
"Apologizing is a sign of weakness. If you are to be a Lady, you will not apologize, unless I ask for it. As for your eyes, I was going to say that they are the one thing that doesn't need replacing. But the personality behind them most certainly does. You will not be inferior nor nervous."
"Yes, ma'am,"
"Good, now go take that brush on the dresser and give it to me."
She did as she was told and I began to fix her dirty hair.
The project begins…
Well, that's all I've got for now! Please review me! Thank you!