They Called Me Gross. Then I Changed Everything.

During the months I had a crush on Lucas Reed, the football captain, I tried everything to lose weight. One day after volleyball practice, I almost passed out from hunger. Lucas caught my wrist and pulled me into a quiet corner beside the gym. Can you stop starving. yourself. if anyone makes another joke, joke about your body, I'll shut them up. That was the day I thought Lucas might like me too, so after our football team won the next game, I walked onto the field. Lucas, I like you. What Lily Taylor, did you just say you like Lucas. voice carried across the field for one second, everyone went. silent. Damn, Lucas really is something even the fatty has a crush on. him. Lucas, is that why you keep rejecting girls you were saving yourself for her? You serious? My face burned, I could not say another. word. then a loud thud. A football shot past my ear and slammed into the ground behind me. The boys who had been laughing shut up. Lucas looked down at me. I just want to know one thingwhat made you think you could confess to me? Did you think my standards were that low? My whole body went stiff. The heat drained from my face. don't you think you're kind of gross? I could not take it anymore. I ran into the restroom. and locked myself inside a stall. Suddenly. Next time. look in a mirror before you embarrass Lucas. I stood there without moving, cold water dripped from my hair onto the floor. I had been mocked for my body for years, but Lucas was the. first boy who ever defended me. For a while, I thought my life could be different. but today Lucas crushed that dream himself. I finally understoodgirls like me did not get exceptions.

After that, I buried myself in schoolwork. On the next AP Calculus test, I beat Ethan Miller, the top student, for the first time. The moment class ended, Ethan moved his desk beside. mine. Miss Carter said, "I keep messing up the written explanations. " She told me to learn from you. Then he smiled at me. New seat mate. help me out It took me a few seconds to realize I had a seat mate again I was a little happy so I quickly pulled out my notebook Here. This is what I use, thanks When I looked up by accident, I met Lucas's eyes across the room He had been watching us for a while A second later he looked away first. I did not know my confession had disgusted him that much, so much so that he could not even stand to see me doing okay. The next morning, Ethan brought me two sausage rolls; I had just taken them when Lucas walked over with a low laugh. Didn't know you had such specific taste. man. Ethan's face changed. What do you mean? Lucas dropped a stack of printed pictures on my. desk for you. you like this type, right? Want me to bring you more tomorrow? Who the hell said I like fat. girls Oh. I saw you move seats, I thought you were into her. Was I wrong. Lucas's friends laughed with him. Ethan cursed under his breath, then he moved back to his old seat without another word. From beginning to end, neither of them looked at me, but every word was about me. My eyes fell on the pictures scattered across the desk The sausage rolls in my hands went cold Before Lucas walked away. "Why would you do this? "What. are you that desperate for attention every guy who sits beside you gets the full treatment?

After what Lucas did, everything got worse. One morning I found my desk covered in graffiti. I kept my head down and walked to my locker. The moment I opened it, a stack of printed pictures slipped out and scattered across the floor. Students slowed down as they passed and started laughing. I crouched down and picked up the pictures one by one. After that, no one wanted to hang out with me anymore; they were afraid they would become the next target. During lunch, I sat alone under a tree and took big bites of my food. Even though I never thought about dieting again, the only time I had tried to lose weight was because I liked Lucas more than food. Now I did not like him anymore. That Friday we had volleyball class. Halfway through class it started pouring. Everyone ran toward the gym entrance, they laughed and screamed while covering their heads, I followed behind them. Before I could reach the door, several girls started knocking me back and forth between them, I lost my balance and fell hard onto the wet court. My kneecap slid out of place, the pain was so sharp that I could not sit up. Then a person stopped beside me, I grabbed one pant. leg without thinking. I can't stand, can you help me? No Bella laughed. beside him Maybe if you lost weight. you wouldn't fall so hard I was soaked through Lucas did not look at me He walked past me. I can't help you. Rain kept running into my mouth, but my throat still felt dry. I could only try to push myself up near the gym entrance. I heard people talking"She doesn't look like she's faking it. " "This is too much. Should we help her? " "You like her? " "You go. " "Who the hell said I liked fat girls? ". It took me almost 10 minutes to sit up; I still could not stand, so I sat quietly in the rain. I forced myself to think about what Grandma might make for dinner, otherwise the pain in my knee and the eyes behind me would break me. In the end, I got up by myself. The voices at the gym entrance never stopped, and I did not dare look back. I limped to the security office and called Grandma After hearing what happened, Grandma decided I needed to get stronger From that day on, she planned my meals and made me exercise with her If they try to knock you down again, hit back.

The next morning, one of Lucas's friends came over to move his desk. Lucas said he felt sick after yesterday; he's taking a few days off and asked me to move his seat. After saying that, he seemed to realize how cruel it sounded. He met my numb eyes and quickly added. "Not because of you, don't overthink it. " I blinked hard; I could not understand why being bigger than other girls made them hate me this much. I only ate a little more than they did. Was that really so disgusting? Three days later, Lucas came back; he walked into the classroom with his arm around Bella Hart's waist. Bella was captain of the cheer squad and every guy's dream girl, and I was Lily Taylor, a nobody people only remembered when they needed a joke. Chase could not help whistling, damn Lucas finally got yourself a girlfriend, so is it real or just for show? Bella pouted like she was offended What do you mean, do I look like the kind of girl who lets random guys put their hands on my waist? Lucas lifted his brow lazily, Lucas did not deny it, people started cheering and teasing them, I lowered my head and looked at my workbook. At least no one cared about what happened that day anymore, no one had time to laugh at me, that was already good enough.

Sebastian suddenly lost his balance. I hurt too much to walk, let me rest for a second, okay? I opened my mouth, but when he made another soft sound of pain, I could not refuse. Lucas's eyes turned cold at once. He had just taken one step toward us when Blake and Bella caught up from behind. Oh, Fatty and Ghost Boy, what are you two doing? What did you call her fatty. am I wrong, Sebastian punched him before he could react. I rushed between them and shoved. Tyler hard Run! Only when we reached the nurse's office did I let out a breath. "Thank you Sebastian. "But next time, just ignore him; he won a taekwondo tournament before we can't beat him. But he was bullying you, Lily, I can't let anyone bully you.

After that day, Sebastian and I slowly got closer, but he was still strange. He never took off his mask. He barely talked to anyone else, but he always ran with me after school. My body changed too. Without noticing it, I had gotten stronger. Grandma was pleased. She said I looked healthier now. I never expected Lucas to be the first person at school to notice. That afternoon, I sat on the lawn finishing the low fat turkey bowl grandma had packed for me. I had just picked up my lunch box when Lucas suddenly grabbed my wrist. You're dieting again? That's none of your business, Lucas let go, Lucas pulled me toward the cafeteria. you get dizzy when you starve yourself, did you forget planning to pass out again? If you don't let go, I'll bite you. you really don't know who is good to you. Drop the act after that, I turned and walked back to the classroom, Sebastian was lying across his desk alone. Is your stomach hurting again Sebastian slowly lifted his head. Yeah. I wanted to buy medicine but I forgot where the nurse's office was. I saw you downstairs just now, but you were talking to some guy. So I didn't want to interrupt Lily. it hurts. I'll go buy it for you right now, wait here. I'll go with you, that way I can remember the route. I held his arm and helped him. to the nurse's office. and when we went downstairs, we ran into Lucas.

I stayed home for two days before going back to school. That morning, Grandma only let me eat one whole wheat egg sandwich. I felt miserable, but soon Ms. Carter walked into the classroom. Behind her stood a strange transfer student. Ms. Carter looked around the room; her eyes finally stopped at me. "Sebastian Cole, sit beside Lily. " After that, she hurried back to the office. Sebastian sat in the empty spot beside me. Neither of us seemed interested in talking. But Blake could never keep his voice. down Lucas, look this guy is weird His whole face is covered What is he disfigured? Probably. if he looked good, why would he hide his face? Ghost Boy and Chubby Lily New couple alert. Lucas did not react He only spun his pen lazily and said nothing For almost a month, Sebastian and I barely spoke I did not want to talk I was afraid the same thing that happened with Ethan would happen again Then one afternoon after class I noticed Sebastian lying across his desk After hesitating for a moment I walked over. Do you have a stomach. ache? I'll take you to the nurse's office. Luckily, he did not pull away when I touched him; he was almost 6 feet tall, and most of his weight leaned against me. Good thing I was sturdy; otherwise, I would not have been able to hold him up. The nurse gave him medicine Then she asked me to get him some water I ran to buy it then hurried back By then Sebastian was the only one left in the nurse's office. You dislike me that much and still help. me. That's pretty kind of you. Lily I don't dislike you I thought you hated me so I didn't talk. to you Why would I hate you? Because I'm fat. I suddenly felt he was probably not disfigured at all.