The Fiancé

_Skylar_

“So you really believe I would date an ugly fat girl like you??” He exclaimed, bursting into laughter as I noticed two of his friends emerge from their hiding spots with cameras, joining in his amusement. My earlier smile began to vanish as I realized my outstretched hand, holding the gift I intended for him, was slowly dropping.

“Oh wow, Ethan, I really thought you might say yes for a moment,” one of his friends said, and I swallowed hard, looking down as I repositioned my glasses.

“You really underestimate me. I told you it wouldn’t take long for her to like me. Have you forgotten who I am? I’m Ethan Reynolds,” I heard him say, and all I wanted was to flee, but my legs felt weak and unresponsive.

“But it took you a while,I think this is the first girl who actually made you work for it,” one of his other friends chimed in.

“Did you just say play hard to get?! She’s far too easy, and if not for her being ugly and fat, I would have already gotten under her skirt because she would definitely throw herself at me,” Ethan said, which ignited my anger. I let the gift fall and clenched my fists tightly, marching up to him. However, he was quick to defend himself, gripping my arm.

“And what do you think you’re doing??” he said as I struggled to break free, but his grip tightened.

“You…” I started, but he leaned closer to me.

“Do you really think anyone would be interested in someone like you? Look at yourself; would you even date you?” he whispered while his friends exchanged glances, likely enjoying the scene.

Then he released my hand and dusted off some imaginary lint from his clothes.

“Let’s go,” he instructed his friends as they began to walk away.

“So how much are we going to give you from this bet?” I heard one of them ask.

“Collecting money from bet on someone unattractive and easy like that would make me feel bad,” Ethan responded as they disappeared from view.

I turned to stare at the gift and kicked it in frustration. I hated myself for not trusting my instincts when he initially acted nice, because why would Ethan Reynolds, the son of the school’s largest shareholder, be interested in someone like me?

I felt really foolish, angry at myself for being humiliated like that.

———

When I arrived home, I noticed my mom and dad tidying up the house. As soon as my mom spotted me, she said,

“Go put your bag in your room and come help us,” my mom said.

“I’m really exhausted right now, what about Scarlet?” I asked, and talking about the devil, right on cue, she walked in with a book in hand.

“Your sister is preoccupied, she has exams, so just go inside and drop your bag and come here immediately,” my mom insisted, and I sighed in frustration, shooting a glare at my sister.

“Why are you giving me that look?? By the way, they’re doing all this because of you, so why should I help?” she said, brushing her arm against mine as she walked past.

“Because of me?? Why??”

“Don’t just stand there, do as I told you,” my mom yelled, and I entered my room. I dropped my bag and then pulled out my phone, checking the school forum. The video of my confession to Ethan was posted, and there were countless negative comments, most questioning why someone unattractive like me would even have the courage to do that.

I shut my phone and collapsed onto my bed. After a few moments, I got up, removed my glasses, and took off my clothes, standing in front of the mirror.

“I’m not ugly, I’m not ugly,” I murmured to myself, but it wasn’t helping. I thought about if my family always told me I was perfect, but I had no one else to reassure me, only adding to my pain and the names I was called.

I’d tried everything to lose weight, starving myself and even trying makeup, but nothing worked. I continued to gaze at my reflection, imagining how I might look if I just shed some pounds.

“Skyyyyyy,” my mom’s voice called, pulling me back to reality.

I groaned, grabbing some clothes to wear and dragging myself out of my room. Before I entered the living room, I overheard my parents talking.

“But still, I find it odd,” my mom said.

“There’s nothing odd about it, so stop overthinking,” my father replied.

“Of course, it’s strange. Putting status aside, why Skylar of all people and not Scarlet??” my mom questioned, leaving me puzzled about what they were discussing.

“Because Skylar is the eldest and the one qualified and fit for it, right?” my dad answered, and I wondered what I was considered fit for.

“I know you realize this doesn’t make sense, but… oh, why isn’t she here yet?… Skyyyyyy!” my mom shouted, making me to step out from where I was eavesdropping.

“Now come with me,” she instructed as she headed towards their bedroom, while I glanced at my dad, who was now sorting through some things, and then I followed her into the room where I noticed her pulling out a dress.

“I know how hard I worked to find this size, so I really hope it fits you because if not, this isn’t going to go well,” she said, leaving me puzzled about what was happening.

My mom buying me a dress?? That’s unexpected.

“What’s the special occasion? What’s happening?” I asked.

“It’s almost time, so take this dress to your room, clean yourself up, and put on the dress,” she replied, not waiting for me to ask any further questions as she exited the room, leaving me staring at the dress.

————

After a good three hours of feeling uncomfortable in the dress, I finally approached my parents, who were sitting in the living room looking frustrated.

“I’m exhausted, the dress is suffocating me! Who are we waiting for that it’s taking so long?” I nearly shouted.

“If you had cut back on the way you eat at home, then maybe you wouldn’t be complaining about how the dress is suffocating you,” my mom replied, and just then, she quickly stood and peeked out the window before glancing back at us.

“They’re here,” she announced, and I nearly cursed whoever they were because they were exactly the reason I was stuck in this dress.

“Sky, go to your room now, and I’ll call you when it’s time for you to make your entrance,” she said, and I simply scoffed at her last remark.

Make my entrance??

I returned to my room and took out my phone to check the time; it was nearly 6 PM.

After a few minutes, my mom called me, and as I stepped out of my room, my sister walked by and said,

“Good luck with seeing your fiancé,” she said in a teasing manner as she went away, and I was confused about what she meant by that. I then headed to the living room, and there they were at the dining table with a man sitting across from them, grinning.

I started piecing things together.

Getting dressed up, 𝑀𝑜𝑚 buying me a gown?? Fiancé??

Are they planning to marry me off to this older man sitting there?? I wondered, and the thought nearly made me scream as I just stood there staring at them.

“Oh, there he is?” the man said, and I turned my head to see who he was talking about, and to my complete surprise,

It was Ethan!!! Yes, Ethan Reynolds!!