choosing between Him or My Ex

Billie POV

Being the chubby, unattractive, and unluckiest girl in school wasn’t easy. It often felt like hell.

“Look at her,” sneered one of the girls in the corner. “She’s one of the ugliest girls in our year,” she told her friends, who all snickered and shifted their gaze toward me, mumbling among themselves.

I knew better; it wasn’t the first time I had heard such comments. I just walked on, my head buried in my palm as I quickened my pace.

She wasn’t wrong, I thought. To be frank, what she said was the truth. I was a chubby girl, and I often felt too old for my age. I had a big stomach, and people frequently teased me about my arms being big and flabby, much like those of an older person.

I weigh as much as an elephant, and I was often called that. To make matters worse, I have a birthmark on my cheek that only adds to the mocking. It felt like hell every time I walked around, hearing people talk behind my back. My mom always told me I was beautiful, but deep down, I knew she was lying. She said she was proud of me, but I could tell she hated going out with me. She seemed to prefer my twin sister.

Oh, did I mention I have a twin sister? Yes, I do. Unlike me, she is a slender blonde with a tiny figure and an hourglass waist. She isn’t chubby, ugly, or fat; she looks like the rest of the girls at our school. In fact, she is more beautiful than me—she is like a doppelganger of our mother. Meanwhile, I felt like the odd one out in the family. My mom is beautiful and petite, and my dad is a tall, muscular man with a crew cut. My sister Blake resembles our mother, small and lovely, while I felt like a pig in comparison.

At school, Blake was the center of attention and beauty, while I was the target of mockery. Even though Blake knew I was being bullied, she didn't care; she often supported the others and would insult me behind my back, making hurtful comments about my weight and saying I spent all day in the restroom because of my digestive issues. We may be twins, but we are completely opposite. My parents seemed indifferent to Blake's behavior; they often turned a blind eye, stating, "She’s just being naive," while I was constantly scolded.

The only person who cares for me is John.

John was our childhood friend, along with Blake. We lived in the same neighborhood until we grew up, and he moved to the beach side where his dad ran a beach store. He kept in touch with me and Blake, often taking my side whenever we had a fight. He defended me when someone made harsh comments about my appearance, saying he loved me just the way I was and that I was beautiful.

John and I started dating a few months ago. Despite my insecurities about my looks and body, he didn't mind and always gave me attention. He was also very protective of me. Whenever his friends mocked him because of me, he would stand up for me, insisting that he loved me as I am.

Although I knew he loved me, I often wondered what made him choose me, especially since Blake had asked him out, but he turned her down for me.

“Hey, fatty,” Alisha called as she walked toward me, eyeing me with a curious look, as if I were some sort of disease. Alisha was Blake’s friend and one of the tormentors who made my life miserable.

“Hey,” I replied awkwardly, using my hand to cover my chest. Although I dressed modestly, the size of my breasts made it feel like I was wearing a transparent bra.

Alisha noticed me and shrugged. “I’m not checking you out, fatty, so stop covering those mother-sized breasts because no one is interested in that, except your dumb boyfriend.”

Looked at her of course I wanted to blurt back and smack her for saying John's name, but I kept my shut. It was always the best way to avoid embarrassment.

“ I wonder what he sees in you and made him cling to you even though you are a disease someone could easily run away from, did you bewitch him?”

I looked at her shocked. What is she saying? Bewitched? Do I look like someone who can bewitch when I am not a witch or wizard?

Alisha's face lightened up at my confusion. I just felt like punching her in the face. She seems annoying but I know better I would always be the one to be punished.

But I finally summoned my courage and spoke back. “Oh sorry Alisha, thank you for your concern. John is not blind he loves me like I am unlike the rest of you who just are blind and can't see all that you know is bullying your mate and making her miserable. I am sorry for your pathetic life and I hope you recover from your dream”

She looked surprised. It was the first time I had spoken back in retaliation. And that was unlike Me.

“What did you just say?” She asked her eyes glaring with fury. I knew I had provoked her.

I have to go” I said and walked out of her front. I know I had meddled with her and if Blake and the others get the news they wouldn't let me off the hook easily.

“I would make you take it back, fatty loser. Do you think you are still better off with your pathetic boyfriend just wait and see how he runs the mud off your face. You love him right? I bet you would be shocked to see him with another woman. I would make you pay” she shouted behind me in frustration. But I didn't look back and I was glad I made it out alive without being beaten to a pulp. And what does she mean by that? Is she going to seduce John and make him hate me like the rest of them? No I know John isn't going to fall for her just because she is beautiful even if he had turned Blake down she wouldn't be a threat. But I know Alisha too well she wouldn't say something that critical if it wasn't serious.

But I trust John he wouldn't betray me.

The next few hours were like taking my worries away I had not focused in class which made our history teacher worried and asked what was wrong. But I couldn't tell her it was because of John. She would mostly think I was mad and the class would also make fun of me. So I kept to myself and said I was fine. Alisha was watching me from her seat smiling to herself while Blake glared at me. Alisha must have told her what happened. I looked away from them, John was behind me but he didn't speak to me like he used to and mostly looked away when I smiled at him.

What going on with him?

Has Alisha managed to seduce him? I thought. But I guess not when John texted me and told me he needed some money.

I smiled. Of course, he isn't against me he is still John.

Class finished and I had economics next while John had English with Blake and Alisha. So I walked over to my locker to take my book. I was supposed to meet a handwriting full of abusive words or paint or all that but instead, I saw a paper folded on my book. I took it, and it was written by Blake I knew her handwriting.

"Meet me at the English class. We have no class, but I want to show you a surprise. I promise it will be worth knowing." She wrote.

What did she want to show me? I put the note back in my locker and closed it. I didn't have time for all this. I walked to my economics class, but I couldn't focus. Something felt wrong. What was it? Why was Blake calling me to the English class?

The bell rang, and the class went by so quickly that my curiosity couldn't settle down. I decided to see what Blake was up to. The English class was more crowded since many students preferred it to economics, and the entrance was full of gossiping and gasping voices. I thought it was normal until one girl walked up to me.

"I heard you and John were dating?" she asked. I nodded.

"Yeah," I said, blushing. She chuckled.

"Well, now isn't the time to be a Barbie in shining shoes. Go in there and see what's going on," she said. Before I could ask what she meant, she pushed me among the crowd of students and into the classroom. I stumbled and almost fell when my eyes caught sight of them. I froze, and the girl caught me. I couldn't believe my eyes as a chill ran down my spine.

I didn't understand why, but I guessed the answer was right in front of me. There was Blake seated in the lap of my boyfriend, John, kissing him romantically, as if they had been dating for months or even years. They looked like a couple that had loved each other for ages. Blake had her arms around his neck while John had his hands around her waist, squeezing her gently, which made Blake laugh. They looked like an...

Alisha spotted me and her eyes lit up. She laughed. She was the one! No, I looked at Blake. What was going on? Why was John kissing Blake romantically? He had never done that with me before—never. And now...

"Oh, sister, sorry! I didn't know you were here," Blake's voice said as she pecked John. John's brown eyes met mine and he smiled.

"Hey, dolly," he said.

So this was it. John, my first boyfriend, the man I had loved all my life, was playing me. I thought he was on my side, but he seemed to be mocking me. I felt betrayed by my boyfriend. I had no idea he had been dating Blake all this time, the girl who had brought me in explained when she accompanied me out of the classroom due to the embarrassment and betrayal.

"John, how could you?" That was all I could say. It was already done. My boyfriend had cheated on me with my twin because I was fat and ugly.