Slim

Chapter One ChloeI stared at my reflection in the mirror, observing how my top clung tightly to my body while my jeans were a little bigger than what most girls wore. As a child, I used to imagine myself as a tall supermodel with the stereotypical "slim waist" that all the boys desired. But as the reality of being a "fat girl" set in, I faced constant bullying and ridicule. Weighing in at around two hundred pounds, I became the target of relentless taunts. Every day, as I walked through the school gates, I was greeted with hurtful comments like, "Hey Fatty, I heard you sweat bacon grease." The popular kids were merciless, chipping away at my self-esteem until it crumbled.This all began when my mother fell ill. I struggled to cope with her absence, turning to food as my solace. I hoped people would understand that I was going through a difficult time and accept me for who I was. Unfortunately, society had different plans. Instead of empathy, I received the opposite. It seemed that n

ChloeThe more Hayden drove, the more sober I became. And with sobriety came the flood of memories and emotions. Depression. I had been battling depression since I turned nine. It was a pain that nobody could truly understand, not even my parents.What I longed for was to hear them say, "Don't worry, sweetie. We're here to help you." But instead, those words came from the therapist they sent me to the very next day. Therapy was never much of a solace. It felt like going through the motions, with someone paid to question me rather than genuinely care.But despite the darkness, suicide was never an option for me. As much as I despised my life, I held on to the belief that things could get better. I couldn't bear the thought of passing my pain on to someone else. Hayden glanced at me briefly, and as we passed under a streetlight, I noticed a birthmark on his cheek-a dark shade of red that resembled a perfectly placed splash of paint. He was about to say something when the flashing red

ChloeHayden looked at me, his eyes devoid of emotion as they locked onto mine. I wasn't sure why we were staring at each other, but the intensity was palpable. The therapist had stepped out of the room for a brief moment, and I made the mistake of glancing over at Hayden. Now I couldn't tear my gaze away from him."What's wrong with your mother?" he asked, leaning back and rubbing his temples. I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to share that part of my life with him. It wasn't because I didn't trust him, but because I didn't want to sink back into the depths of depression by dwelling on it."It's okay," he shrugged nonchalantly, his thick accent making it difficult for me to find my words before he swiftly grabbed his phone and began typing rapidly. I leaned my head back just as the therapist reentered the room and settled back into her seat."Okay, Slim. Now it's your turn. Where are your parents?" she inquired, oblivious to my silent warning. Unfortunately, she didn't catch on."Keep

ChloeLunchtime came and I reluctantly made my way towards the cafeteria to grab my lunch, hoping to find a quiet and secluded spot to eat. However, as I entered the cafeteria, the room fell silent, and it seemed like everyone was laughing at me. The feeling of humiliation overwhelmed me, and I fought back tears and the urge to scream out in frustration. Keeping my head down, I walked towards the food line."Maybe you shouldn't eat today," the Cafeteria Lady joked, and laughter erupted from the people in line. I remained silent, grabbing my tray, and tried to make a quick exit from the room."Yo, Chloe!" a familiar female voice shouted, and I looked up to see Leah beckoning me over. She smiled and motioned for me to join her at the table where Leah, Lilly, Zeek, and two other guys were sitting.Hayden was nowhere to be found, so I took a seat next to Zeek, who greeted me with a goofy grin, his mouth full of fries."Hey, Love," he winked, and Lilly playfully punched him in the shoulder

ChloeNodding, he signaled with his hand for me to follow him. As Hayden led me through the large crowd, I tightly held onto his hand, fearful of getting lost. I observed his muscular back as he navigated through the people, receiving greetings along the way. My hands shook frantically, signaling the onset of a panic attack. I had hoped to drown my anxiety in alcohol, to forget and numb the overwhelming emotions. But here I am now.We finally made it out of the crowd, and I instinctively let go of his hand. He glanced at me but didn't question my actions. We climbed a flight of stairs, and there were bathrooms in front of us. Without hesitation, I hurriedly entered the ladies' bathroom. Inside, I silently released my pent-up emotions, suppressing my sobs so that Hayden wouldn't hear me. The fear of him reacting violently towards me lingered, and the mere thought of it terrified me. I'm too fragile for my own good. I yearned for a day when I could transform into the confident girl o