Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lily pov

The slap landed like a thunderclap across my left cheek, the sound echoing through the crowded cafeteria like a gunshot. My skin burned instantly, heat flooding my face as I felt the blood rush to the surface, turning it a deep, humiliating red. I stood there frozen, tray still in my hands, staring at the girl who had delivered it my own twin sister. My blood sister. The one I had loved and protected since we were little girls sharing the same crib.

Mia’s eyes blazed with pure disgust. “Don’t ever think because you’re my twin you get the privilege to sit with me,” she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to cut through the sudden silence that had fallen over the tables around us. “Look at you, Lily. Waddling around like you own the place with that… that body. It’s disgusting.”

Tears stung the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of everyone. I remembered the nights we used to stay up giggling about boys, braiding each other’s hair. When had it turned into this? When had my curves my fuller breasts, wide hips, thick thighs that strained against my school skirt become her personal curse? She had always been the slim one, the one who turned heads with her long legs and tiny waist. And she hated that I had something she didn’t.

“You snatched my boyfriend last semester,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Because of my shape, you said. You told him I was too much to handle. Now you’re doing this?”

Mia laughed, a cold, bitter sound. “He came to me willingly, sis. Who wants all that when they can have this?” She gestured at her own slender figure, then shoved past me hard. My tray flew from my hands, spaghetti and juice splattering across the floor. Laughter erupted around us cruel, mocking laughter.

“Look at her face!” someone shouted.

“Fat bitch thinks she can sit with the queen?” another voice jeered.

“Ugly ass, go hide!”

The words sliced deeper than the slap. I stumbled back, heart shattering into pieces. Why did everyone hate me? What had I done to deserve this loneliness that wrapped around my chest like barbed wire? Mom always said we were supposed to have each other’s backs. But Mia wanted me in the shadows forever invisible, forever less than her.

I ran.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the double doors and sprinted toward the old oak tree behind the university building, the one hidden from most of the paths. My chest heaved with sobs as I collapsed against the rough bark, sliding down until I sat on the grass, knees pulled to my chest. The pain in my heart hurt worse than my stinging cheek. I buried my face in my arms, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.

“Lily.”

A deep, smooth voice cut through my crying. I looked up, startled. Lucian. The Lucian the most handsome guy in our class, with his sharp jawline, messy dark hair, and those piercing green eyes that made half the girls weak. He was trouble, everyone knew it. Rich, reckless, always surrounded by his crew. But God, I’d had a secret crush on him for months. Quiet, hopeless longing from afar.

He crouched beside me, close enough that I could smell his cologne something woody and expensive. “Hey… look at me.”

I turned my head away, heat rushing to my already flushed cheeks. “What do you want, Lucian? Come to laugh too?”

He didn’t laugh. Instead, he gently cupped my chin with his hand, turning my face toward him. His touch was surprisingly tender, his thumb brushing lightly over my reddened cheek. My heartbeat exploded. “Don’t be angry with your twin. You know how Mia can be always needing to be the center of everything. But that doesn’t make it right.”

I shivered at the closeness. His breath fanned across my lips. I tried to pull back slightly, but he moved with me, maintaining the distance. Too close. Way too close. “I… I just want to be left alone,” I stammered. “I don’t need your pity.”

“This isn’t pity.” His voice dropped lower, almost husky. “You’re sitting here crying because of her bullshit, and I hate it. You’re beautiful, Lily. Those curves… they drive people crazy. Including me.”

My stomach flipped. Was he serious? Or was this some cruel game? I knew Mia had a massive crush on him too she talked about him constantly, plotting how to get his attention. If she saw us like this…

I stood up quickly, brushing grass off my skirt. “I’m okay. Thank you.” But even as I said it, my body betrayed me I wanted him to pull me back, to hold me tighter.

Lucian rose too, towering over me. Before I could walk away, Mia appeared at the edge of the path, her eyes throwing daggers straight at me. “What the hell are you doing with him?” she snapped, storming closer.

“Nothing!” I replied too fast, panic rising. “I was sitting here and he just… came over. That’s all.”

Mia’s glare shifted between us. “He came to you? Yeah, right.” She looked like she wanted to slap me again, but instead she spun on her heel. “Whatever. Max is waiting.” She tossed her hair and stalked off toward where Max,Lucian’s rival in popularity stood with his group.

I let out a shaky breath of relief.

But the universe wasn’t done with me today. As I headed back inside to grab my bag, I felt eyes on me again. Lucian. He was leaning against the wall further down the hallway, watching me with that intense stare. I buried my face down, trying to slip past silently.

He stepped forward, blocking my path just enough. In his hand was a pack of my favorite snacks chocolate cookies and a juice box. “I know you didn’t eat anything after what happened,” he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sorry about your sister. She’s a piece of work.”

My eyes widened. Lucian the guy who usually hung with the bullies, who partied hard and skipped classes was offering me food? “Why are you doing this?” I whispered, suspicion flooding me. “Is this a joke? Or some hidden agenda with your friends?”

He chuckled, low and warm. “No agenda, Lily. You intrigue me. You’re different. Stronger than you think, even when you let her walk all over you.” He held the snacks out. “Take them. Please.”

I hesitated, my hand twitching. Part of me wanted to grab them, to feel seen for once. But the fear won. “Thanks… but I’m good.” I stepped around him without taking anything.

From behind me, his voice carried a teasing edge. “No one ignores me like that. Seems you’re more interesting than you look, curvy girl.”

My face burned as I quickened my pace, heart racing. Curvy girl. The words sent a forbidden thrill through me despite everything.

I made it to class just as the bell rang. Of course, it was worse than I expected. My bag had been dumped on the floor, books scattered and pages torn. My chair was flipped over, desk scratched with ugly words: FAT WHORE. GO DIE. UGLY TWIN. My locker nearby was dusty, covered in more insults written in permanent marker.

I sank to my knees, picking up a ripped notebook. God, when will this end? The loneliness crashed over me again, heavier than before. But underneath the pain, Lucian’s touch lingered on my skin like a promise. His words echoed in my head.

Maybe not everyone hated me.

Maybe, just maybe, someone craved the very thing my sister despised.