Chapter 3

At six thirty that evening, everyone in the group chat began checking in.

They had all arrived early.

Everyone except me.

When I entered Maya’s livestream, she was calling loudly for a server.

“Could you bring us a few extra chairs?”

The server looked confused.

“Don’t you already have enough seats?”

Maya sighed.

“My cousin hasn’t arrived yet, and she’s on the heavier side.

“I’m worried one chair might not be comfortable for her. I’d also hate for one of your chairs to break.”

Someone in the private dining room snickered.

Leah covered her mouth.

“Maya, you’re so thoughtful.”

Julian frowned.

“My girlfriend is slim.

“That won’t be a problem.”

The smile on Maya’s face froze for a split second.

Then she spoke as though she couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer.

“Julian, I honestly didn’t want to tell you.

“But you trust her so completely, and I’m afraid she’s going to make a fool out of you.”

Julian looked up.

“What do you mean?”

Maya bit her lip, looking conflicted.

“My cousin lied to you. She looks nothing like the girl in that photo.

“She used to weigh over three hundred pounds. She was so heavy you could barely make out her features.

“You’ve been taking this relationship seriously, but she used a fake photo to manipulate your feelings. It’s honestly disgusting.”

Julian’s expression turned cold.

“Do you have proof?”

Leah immediately jumped in.

“Of course we do!”

She pulled up our high school graduation photo and circled me in red.

I was standing in the back row, practically hiding in the corner. My school uniform was stretched tight across my body.

“Look. That’s Hazel Lane.

“The selfie she sent you is obviously a stolen photo that’s been edited beyond recognition.

“Back in high school, the scale barely went high enough to weigh her. You seriously expect us to believe she magically turned into that?”

Maya pursed her lips and pretended to scold her.

“Leah, stop. If you embarrass Hazel so badly that she doesn’t come, I’ll never forgive you.

“Lying is wrong, but someone finally showed an interest in her. I can understand why she couldn’t bring herself to show him what she really looked like.”

Leah burst out laughing.

“Maya, you’re way too kind.

“She’s a classic catfish. The second anyone sees her in person, it’s over. I bet she won’t dare show up at all!

“Have Julian text her and ask. Let’s see if she even dares respond!”

As I listened to them mock me on the livestream, my hands curled into fists.

My phone buzzed.

Julian had sent me a message.

‘Hazel, do you want me to come pick you up?’

I typed a quick reply.

‘No.’

‘Wait for me.’

Leah gave Julian a knowing look.

“See? What did I tell you? She won’t let you pick her up because she’s scared you’ll see her!

“I’m calling it right now. If she actually shows up, I’ll eat my words and grovel at her feet!”

Maya lowered her head to sip her water, hiding the triumphant smile on her lips.

Then she adjusted the camera until it pointed directly at the door.

“Be patient, everyone,” she said sweetly.

“Julian’s legendary goddess of a girlfriend will be here any minute.”