Chapter 1

"Wren, your face is like something out of a horror show! Come on, you've got to care about cleanliness, tidy yourself up, or it's just going to get worse!"

It was only when I heard those familiar words that I realized I had been given a second chance at life.

As I snapped back to reality, I caught Joanna Larson with her phone out, snapping pictures of me from every angle.

She even snatched a bottle of face cream off the desk, ready to dab some on me, and grabbed a mirror to shove in my face.

The reflection staring back at me was a mess of acne, my skin so lumpy and twisted it could turn stomachs.

I could not stand it, I swatted the mirror away, and it shattered, sending shards flying.

Joanna's face flickered with shock, but she bounced back fast.

"It's just a few zits, no biggie. We can't freak out over how we look; we've got to roll with the punches life throws at us. Take me, for example. I burn the midnight oil, live life on my terms, and don't let anything hold me back."

With that, she thrust her phone in my face. "Give everyone a shout-out, it's step one to finding your mojo again."

The comments started flooding in, and the viewer count was on the rise.

[Yuck, I've never seen anyone with that many pimples. Gross!]

[How can you hang with Joanna and not feel totally outclassed? No comparison, no despair, right?]

[I'm all for ditching the beauty pressure, but you could at least try to look presentable.]

I was so ticked off I chucked the phone to the floor. "You didn't get my okay to film me! That's crossing the line."

That was the first time I had ever lost my cool.

Back in the day, as my face got worse, my confidence plummeted. I never had the guts to clap back, no matter what anyone said. In turn, that led to my roommate and boyfriend playing mind games with me like I was nothing but a sewer rat.

When I blew my top, Joanna sent a desperate look to my boyfriend, Zack Graham.

He looked worried, setting Joanna's bags down with a sigh before turning to me, his finger pointing at me.

"Wren, what's going on with you? Joanna's just trying to help you chill out, and here you are, freaking out. Aren't you blowing this way out of proportion? And you need her help with your skin, remember?"

Joanna chimed in, her voice tinged with hurt. "Wren, I'm on your side. Every girl wants to feel confident and bold, right? I'm just trying to help you find that spark again."

Zack's voice was full of concern, almost scolding.

"I get it, you're jealous of Joanna. But hey, not everyone's a knockout from the start. She's just trying to boost your confidence. You don't have to take her advice, but why be so harsh?"

The chat was blowing up with more and more people throwing shade:

[Seriously, why do the ugly ones always have to cause a scene?]

[Joanna's just being nice, and she gets no thanks. If I had to walk around with that face, I'd hide forever.]

[Some people just take up space and food, don't they?]

Before I could get a word in, Joanna turned her face to the camera, her tears flowing for all to see.

"Please, don't fight over me. I won't interfere anymore."

I let out an icy laugh. "If you two are such a perfect match, then I hope you're happy together."

I stripped off all the jewelry he had given me, dumped the makeup back in his hands.

He looked genuinely freaked out, quickly piling everything back on my bed.

"I was kidding! Joanna's out of everyone's league, and she's got plenty of admirers. Plus, you're my girl. I'm not about to break up with you!"