Laying off

Selina enters her father's house, noticing a woman, Helen, sitting comfortably on the couch. After a quick glance, she thanks her father for the ride, ready to leave the room.

Richard's voice cuts through her exit, sharp and irritated. "Hey, brat! Are you blind? Can't you see someone sitting here?"

Selina turns back, unfazed. "Who exactly?"

Helen smirks, her tone dripping with disdain. "So you threw your manners away before coming in?"

Selina shoots back, her voice cold. "If you had any, you wouldn't be here."

Richard's face twists with rage. He strides toward Selina and slaps her hard across the face. "How dare you talk to her like that?"

Selina glares at him, holding her cheek, her eyes filled with defiance. "Let me make this clear, Dad. I am not the old Selina you knew fifteen years ago. Don't ever lay your hands on me because of this trash you call a mistress."

Helen, stunned by Selina's boldness, snaps, "Are you out of your mind?"

Selina's voice is calm but laced with venom. "Yes, but at least I have shame. Go work on that, shameless woman."

With that, Selina exits the room, leaving Richard seething with anger and Helen both shocked and furious. Richard clenches his fists. "Don't worry, I know what to do."

The restaurant is lively with the hum of chatter and clinking cutlery. Anne sits across from Thomas, a young businessman. Their conversation is casual, filled with small talk.

Thomas boasts about his growing business. "So the business is growing, and our company is expanding."

Anne raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Shouldn't you be in school? Don't you have classes to attend?"

Thomas stiffens, defensive. "I have a home tutor, thank you very much."

Anne smirks, her tone mocking. "No offense, but how old are you?"

Thomas glares at her, his pride wounded. He stands abruptly, pushing his chair back with a scrape. "I'm done. That's not how you speak to me."

Anne watches him leave, a slight smile playing on her lips. "It was that easy to get rid of him?"

Just as Thomas storms out, Taylor enters, concern etched on her face. "What did you say to him?"

Anne grins mischievously. "Mom, look, they're coming back."

Taylor spins around in panic. "Where?"

Anne laughs, getting up quickly. "See you at home."

She hurries out, leaving Taylor standing there, flustered and confused. "Anne... this girl…"

Selina lies in bed, her eyes fixed on a photograph of her mother. Her voice is soft, filled with longing. "Goodnight, Mom… so sad you're not here to put me to bed."

Her phone suddenly rings, pulling her out of her thoughts. She picks it up. "Hello… what? Why didn't you tell me, Dad? Now I'm home alone. Alright, I'll lock the doors and windows. Bye."

She hangs up, rising from the bed to secure the house. But as she moves, she hears footsteps. Her heart pounds as she sees a shadowy figure near her window. Panic sets in.

"No, no, I'm afraid of the dark. Hello… Dad, are you back?"

The silhouette moves closer, and Selina's fear escalates into terror. "No, no, don't hurt me! Noooo!"

The police station is quiet, with only the hum of paperwork and the occasional ring of a phone breaking the silence. Kelvin, a senior officer, stands by his desk, reviewing a report. James, another officer, approaches him.

Kelvin looks up. "What's the report, James?"

James grins, proud of their work. "We caught the thief."

Kelvin nods, satisfied. "That's good news. He should rot in jail for the rest of his life."

James chuckles. "That will teach him a big lesson."

Suddenly, Selina bursts into the station, her face pale with fear. "Please help me, there's someone in my house and no one is home."

Kelvin looks at her with annoyance. "You again?"

James smirks. "Last time it was your dad hitting you. Today, someone is in your house. You're a crazy girl."

Selina's voice trembles, pleading. "Trust me, sirs. I swear I heard footsteps and saw a silhouette."

Kelvin waves her off dismissively. "Get lost."

James shakes his head. "Crazy kids."

Selina's eyes fill with tears. "I am not crazy!"

Both officers shout at her. "Get out of here!"

Selina turns and leaves, crying softly. "I am scared…"

Miss Lizzy stands at the front of the classroom, her gaze sharp as she surveys the students. "You all have an hour to finish the test."

Sophia, seated nearby, eyes Selina with a cruel smile. She discreetly throws a paper under Selina's desk and raises her hand. "Miss Lizzy, I think Selina is cheating."

Selina's head snaps up, shock and indignation in her voice. "What? I studied hard for this test. There's no way I would cheat!"

Miss Lizzy narrows her eyes and walks over to Selina, searching her thoroughly. "There's nothing here, Sophia."

Sophia insists, "Under her desk."

Miss Lizzy bends down and pulls out the paper, her expression hardening. "You cheat!"

Selina opens her mouth to protest, but then she stops herself, her voice quiet and resigned. "I didn't… you know what? It was me. I guess I didn't study hard enough."

Anne, sitting nearby, looks at Selina in shock. "What?"

Miss Lizzy points to the door, her voice cold. "Get out. You are done with your test."

Selina nods, her face expressionless as she heads for the exit. "Anne, I know what I did."

Anne watches her leave, then stands up, defiant. "I was also cheating. Here's my booklet." She follows Selina out of the room.

Selina sits alone on a bench, tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders shake with silent sobs as she whispers to herself, "I won't defend myself anymore because I am tired of being called a liar."

Anne rushes over, worry etched across her face. "Selina, what was that all about? Since when did you start lying?"

Selina wipes her tears, her voice bitter. "No one would have believed me except you."

Jake, who had been listening nearby, steps forward. "And me."

Anne turns to him. "Hi, Jake."

Jake nods. "Hi, Anne. I know you can't do something as serious as cheating."

Selina sighs, her voice heavy with defeat. "The head didn't believe me, Anne. I am sorry I didn't tell you this earlier… I am on probation."

Anne gasps. "What? But you didn't do anything."

Selina shakes her head. "Of course. I am always at fault, and this is the last straw. I'll probably be expelled."

Jake's eyes widen in disbelief. "What?"

Anne stands up, determined. "I have to tell Mr. Joe the truth."

Selina grabs her arm, stopping her. "It's of no use, Anne."

Anne stares at her, confused. "Selina, why are you so relaxed as if nothing has happened? This isn't you."

Selina shrugs, her voice tired. "I guess I am tired of crying."

Jake steps closer, his voice firm. "Don't tell me you are giving up, Selina."

Selina looks at both of them, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Sorry to burst your bubbles, but I don't have a choice."

Anne shakes her head vigorously. "You do have a choice. Let your voice be heard. Tell them the truth."

Selina's voice breaks as she speaks. "I have been telling them the truth since high school but I am still here, being bullied every day."

As if on cue, Michael and Sophia appear, their voices dripping with mockery. "Aww. Are you in pain? Do you need help?"

Sophia adds, "We feel like crying."

Jake steps forward, his fists clenched. "Both of you should leave before you regret it."

Selina places a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "It's fine, Jake. I'm going home anyway."

Michael grins wickedly. "So soon? You haven't met your new friends."

Before anyone can react, Michael shoves Selina toward a snake pit nearby. Selina screams in terror as she falls, her voice echoing in the air.

"Ahhhhhh!"

Jake and Anne scream in horror, rushing toward the pit.

"SELINA!"

The scene fades out, leaving only the sound of their cries lingering in the air.