All Chapters of Beauty From Ashes : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

NATASHA'S POV What was happening? I was just defending Layla to Patty and then here she was walking towards us with an evidence as obvious as a billboard.I turned to look at Patty who was giving me a curious look.She was probably wondering how I knew anyone who was an Elite.“That's my best friend, Layla.” I said slowly, feeling awkward.Her eyes widened and lit up with amusement.“Oh. I see.” She said and gave me a sly look. I grimaced and stared back at Layla waiting for her to get to us.They soon got to us and Layla pulled me into a bear hug.“Hey, you! What are you doing standing out here by the gates?” She exclaimed as she pulled away. She gave Patty a stern look as she eyed her from head to toe.“Did you replace me already?” She asked.I winced. Trust Layla to be tactless sometimes. I stole a look at Patty beside me and she just looked amused.“Hi, I'm Patty. Nat has been telling me all about you. She wouldn't shut up actually.” Patty said with a laugh.Layla smiled approv

One of the seven! If only I could pull that off. But I was plain looking and fat.And Layla was hot and thin, with curves in all the right places.Her skin was flawless. Without me beside her, anyone could easily mistake her for an elite.I was so jealous of her. It wasn't like I didn't think I could lose weight.But I just never had the courage to try and I didn't exactly have anyone motivating me.Everyone either kept telling me to accept who I was, some nicely, others mockingly.While others regarded me as something without hope.Highschool had been tough. Even my parents showering me with all the love and attention they could muster, had never been enough to remove the low self esteem I fought with.Layla was a great friend but there was little she could do. We had been friends since grade school.She defended me from being bullied and since then, we've been close.Then, her parents were still alive. They had been really nice. Layla had been somewhat different too.Until her paren

They ran towards me immediately they saw me.“Hey,…what the hell? Are you both planning to throttle me?” I asked jokingly.I knew exactly why they were this excited. Me getting into Delengade had been all they talked about for days.And they both swore they would never be as stupid as I was by trying to fit into the world of the elites.Of course, the stories I would tell them would be the only way they got to hear how it was in Delengade College.“Oh come on, spill already! What was it like? Any hot boys? Do their skin really sparkle?”That was Piper, of course. I shook my head, a smile on my face.They both sat on either side of me, their eyes glued to me like I was handing out candy.I rolled my eyes and kept my eyes glued on the television as I scooped pasta into my mouth.I meant to tease them by intentionally ignoring them. The next thing I knew, they both each turned off the television and grabbed my plate out of my hands at the same time.I glared at them, my chest burning wit

NATASHA'S POV“Bart! What did I say about barging into my room!” I yelled, hurling a pillow at him.He swerved out of the way and I missed.He blew raspberries at me.“How about you stop leaving your door open? Nobody wants to see that!” He said, making a disgusted face. He was speaking from the usual disdain brothers had when it came to seeing their sisters naked, but my self esteem couldn't help but think he was referring to my size.I shut down the feeling and let my shirt fall, covering my enormous belly.“You are a pain in the ass, Bart.”He folded his hands over his chest, a smirk dancing on his lips.“Really? But you need my help? You can't fix cars can you?” He asked haughtily.I walked towards him and picked up my pillow, because I couldn't count on him to return it.He flinched when I got close to him and I smirked, a feeling of satisfaction washing over me.I was not going to hit him. I never would.Okay, there had been a few moments of weakness in the past but I tended to

NATASHA'S POVWe followed Layla inside, still arguing for several seconds before we got to the living room.Layla took a seat on the sofa and switched on the television before turning to us.Her brows furrowed in surprise.“Why are you both standing around? Take a seat. Come on, you guys aren't visitors.” She said with a laugh.I glared at her. Bart took a seat and tried to pretend like he wasn't looking at Layla.How could Layla be like this? She was being a bad influence. Corrupting my little brother.He was fourteen! Or fifteen, I couldn't remember for sure but he was still too young to have to stare at a semi naked woman.But damn, she had a banging body. Something I would never have.I would feel more comfortable if she put something on. It wasn't just about Bart being here.No one liked their insecurities staring them in the face.She turned to look at me as I had refused to sit down.“What the hell, Nat? You're not going to take a seat?” She asked, amused.I scoffed.“Don't act