Am I Really a Jinx?

It was New Year's Eve, and we were moving to a new house.

I was wearing an old shirt that had faded and shrunk. Sniffling, I gathered up the courage to say to Mom, "Mom, I-I want to spend the New Year in the new house too."

The moment the words left my mouth, everyone stopped packing. Their looks were full of disdain.

Mom sighed and spoke with clear irritation. "Sharon Bell, stop being so selfish. It's the New Year. Do you want something to go wrong for us? You can go once things settle down."

I blinked back tears and nodded slowly.

I leaned against the door, listening as their voices grew fainter.

"Sharon has the flu. Would it be okay for her to stay here alone?"

When I heard Dad's voice, my chest tightened, and tears welled up.

"Oh, Dad, Sharon's a jinx! If she comes with us, what if the move doesn't go smoothly? It's the start of the year! Anything bad happening would be so unlucky!"

My sister, Siena Bell's, words hit me like a sharp needle.

"Yeah, she's sick. She's probably feeling bad, so let's go buy a lottery ticket! The worse she feels, the better our luck will be! Maybe we'll win big!"

Mom's voice faded into the background.

I sniffled, feeling like a ton of bricks was blocking my nose. Then, I crouched down and wrapped my arms around myself.

I had my New Year's Eve dinner—stale bread with mustard.

I curled up on the couch, feeling my body burn up, but at the same time, it grew colder.

It was unbearable. I dialed Mom's number without thinking.

"Mom… I feel really awful. My chest… hurts." I barely managed to say the words.

"What did you say? Wait! Two of spades? Raise!" Mom's impatient voice came through.

"Sharon, stop being so difficult. I'll pick you up in a few days! Remember, don't be too happy. I'm on a winning streak today!"

The call ended abruptly. I chuckled bitterly.

Yeah, I was the jinx. Mom said I couldn't be happy. I had to stay miserable so the family could have good luck.

I had to keep suffering for the sake of their happiness.

However, what if I disappeared? If I died, would they finally live a good life?

For a moment, I felt my body grow heavier and my heartbeat grow slower.

Suddenly, everything felt light, and the pain in my chest vanished. I slowly started floating upward.

I was really dead.

Looking down at the tiny figure curled on the couch, I felt a strange sense of relief.

I finally didn't have to be a burden on my family anymore. They'd live a good life from now on.

In my next life, I'd be a normal child.

A lucky child.