by Kayley Shaye
I ran down stairs to the kitchen and saw that my mom haven’t made dinner at all. Well, that was strange. My parents used to leave something for me to eat before going somewhere else. It wasn’t that I was always hungry; I just found it strange.
I walked into the living room and grabbed the house phone. I dialed my mom’s number, but no one answered. I dialed dad’s number, but he didn’t answer either.
I was just about to go upstairs to my room when the doorbell rang. I skipped toward the front door thinking it might be them. When I peeped through the peephole, it wasn’t my parents standing outside but two men wearing police uniforms.
I opened the door and stared up at the strangers who were standing in front of me, both of whom gave me sympathetic looks for some unknown reason. I lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
“Can I help you officers?”
They both glanced at each other then looked at me.
“You must be Crystal Clare,” one of them said.
I nodded my head slowly, wondering why and how they knew my name.
“Yes, that’s me. Is there something wrong?” I asked nervously.
“Yes. Unfortunately, your parents were in an accident, and we need to take you to the police station for some information.”
My eyes widened, and my heart started to beat so fast that I could feel it hitting my chest. I felt a lump form in my throat as his words sunk into my brain and my world started to spin.
“An accident?” I gasped softly.
I felt tears form in my eyes, and my palms began to sweat.
“Are they okay?” I asked.
I couldn’t imagine living without my parents. They were one of the reasons I stayed positive in life. They were amazingly supportive and always gave me warm hugs when I needed them.
If something were to happen to them, then I would be in this life all on my own. I didn’t have anyone else here in this small town to take care of me. My life would become way worse than it already was.
One of the policemen took off the cap he was wearing and looked down at me with tender eyes, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said.
After hearing those words, I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. My parents were dead.
***
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the doorbell rang. I took the sunglasses off my head, placed them on the counter, walked over to the front door, and took my shoes off. I looked through the peephole and smiled.
I quickly yanked the door open only to face the sight of Matt holding a broom.
“Matt!”
I jumped into his arms, causing him to drop the broom as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He picked me up off the ground, and our laughter filled the air.
He put me down on my feet and smiled, showing me his straight white teeth. He then looked at me from head to toe and whistled as he gave me a wolf grin.
I laughed as I punched his shoulder playfully.
“Oh my god! It’s been ages,” I said, letting him in before closing the door behind me.
“Yeah, I know, right? How have you been?” he asked.
“I’ve been good. What about you?”
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen Matt. But ever since I’ve moved to my grandparents’ house in New York four years ago, we have been keeping in touch by using Facebook and FaceTime. Later on, I bought my own phone, and we called each other every day.
“Better now that you’re here,” he answered, as we walked toward the living room.
“You look the same like I never left,” I said.
He still looked and felt like the Matt I knew many years ago, except that he had grown much taller and broader with facial hair.
“You…well, you look—”
“Different?” I asked.
He shook his head and gave me a smile wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Beautifuler,” he said.
“That’s not even a word, idiot.” I chuckled, punching his shoulder again.
“It is for me,” he said.
I smiled at his compliment.
Now, don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t like in the past four years I’ve been trying to change myself and get skinnier so that everyone would like me. No, that’s not what happened.
I got depressed when my parents died and lived in a place I’m not familiar with. I had to meet new people which I wasn’t a big fan of, but I found a solution to deal with it.
No, it wasn’t drugs or alcohol. It was exercise. I would go out for a run and feel free. I wouldn’t stop until I was panting for air and soaked all my clothes with my own sweat.
Doing the same routine every day, running became a hobby and made me into how I looked today.
“I hope you’re ready because this place needs some cleaning,” I said, as I grabbed his broom and threw it at him.
“Some?” he asked, as he grabbed the broom. “You mean, a lot. This place hasn’t been touched in ages.”
I cleaned the kitchen while Matt got to work in the living room. My house didn’t seem huge when I lived here with my parents. We had two bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom. But now that I was going to live here all alone, it seemed so big and lonely.
I thought about it a lot and came to a conclusion that I wouldn’t be moving out anytime soon. This place was sentimental, and I couldn’t just let it go. I was pretty sure this was what my parents would have wanted, and I booked the nearest flight ticket to return home, the minute I turned eighteen. I’ve been planning that ever since I’ve left.
I was never close to my grandparents. I appreciated them for taking me in though, but I knew that once I turn eighteen, I’d be on my own.
After an hour and a half later, Matt and I were done cleaning the first floor. I walked out of the bathroom after cleaning myself up and saw Matt in the kitchen drinking some water.
“Let’s take a break and have something to eat. I’m pretty sure you’re hungry,” he said.
I watched as Matt took his phone out and ordered pizza. I took two cups and a bottle of Pepsi to the living room and placed them on the coffee table in front of the couch. I sat down and grabbed my phone out since the TV wasn’t working, and it needed some fixing with the wires and stuff.
Matt walked into the room and sat next to me. We spent time talking about everything that happened in the past four years and how the people at school were sorry for me and my loss. I wasn’t planning on holding grudges against anyone, but I could never forget what they have done to me.
I told him about New York and how awesome it was. But I guess I was just a Californian girl who could never trade California for any city. I was born here after all.
Twenty minutes later, a knock was heard on the door. Matt got up to open it while I sipped on the Pepsi I had in my hand. I wasn’t such a big fan of soda and preferred juice more, but there wasn’t any in the fridge at the moment. I needed to buy groceries.
Matt came back with a box of pizza in his hand. I licked my lips as my stomach grumbled in hunger. When the box was opened, we dug in and ate until we were full. We pretty much finished the box, but you can’t blame us. It’s been a long day.
We sat in silence, gathering our thoughts until Matt spoke.
“You ready for school on Monday?” he asked.
I sighed. I knew this topic was going to be brought up. Besides, I still had to go to school.
I wished I could delay the time of me having to go to school sooner.
“Yeah,” I said, nodding my head. Let’s just hope that some things have changed while I was gone.
If you enjoyed this sample, look for
Tyler’s Gem
on Amazon.
One
“Move, fat ass!” A loud voice echoes as I am pushed face first into the grimy blue lockers. My fat cheeks slam against the cold blue surface and splay out like an ice cream dropped on the ground. I wince and let out a groan of pain.
Nothing out of the ordinary thoug
h, being bullied is an everyday occurrence for people like me. By that, I mean people who are overweight.
Fat.
I push myself away from the lockers and shrug my hoodie back onto my shoulders, turning around to see the retreating figure of my tormenter. A mop of blond hair turns around to look at me, a smile etched on his face. It’s Lucas Keith, one of the most attractive boys on this earth whose mission is to make my world a living hell.
Sometimes, I convince myself that he must have some reasoning for tormenting me the way he does. But then realization sinks in. He’s just a bad person.
Edging on 280 pounds, I am obese. So much for inheriting my mother’s slim figure. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? Seems like a web of lies to me.
Somehow, my brother is the most praised boy in school—athletic, clever and nice—who doesn’t like him? I was unfortunately not blessed with such good genes.
Unlike your typical high school drama, the popular kids at this school don’t mix well. My brother forms his own clique and everyone wants to be them or be with them. On the flip side of the coin is Lucas’ posse who seem to think that beauty is the only way to a successful life.
I fall into neither clique. I fall into you’re-a-loser-and-Lucas-Keith-hates-you-so-if-I’m-nice-to-you-he-will-hate-me group. It’s a sad life.
Fortunately, I have one thing going for me—my brains.
When Lucas works at McDonald’s and finally realizes what it’s like to be fat, I’d be working as a scientist finding a cure for cancer or being the best friend of some royalty. That would serve him right. Ha!
But at the moment, he’s at the top of the food chain and I’m right at the bottom. He’s the predator and I’m the prey. Brilliant. If I just hold on one more year, I’ll be out of this hell hole and into real life where people don’t treat fat girls like animals, a life where your weight doesn’t matter. A life where the size you are in doesn’t dictate the magnitude of your success.
Thankfully, I only have one more day of hell until summer starts. After that, I am a senior, reigning above the squirmy, acne-covered freshmen. But who am I kidding? I will still be below the freshmen, especially in Lucas Keith’s eyes.
The books I dropped lay scattered on the floor, looking up at me in misery. Grow a pair of balls! They scream at me. I woefully shake my head and tell them that once again, Lucas Keith has won this battle. I slowly pick up the books and realize that I’m late for my class. Cursing under my breath, I run as fast as my legs can take me towards the door.
Heads turn one by one as I make my entrance. Sniggers to the right. Whispers to my left. I block them out and head to the last seat available. I close my eyes and sigh, falling into my seat.
“Great. Now, I can’t see the board,” says a low voice behind me, followed by a couple of sniggers from his faithful posse. I turn around to see the smirking face of my bully. In an attempt to take the high road, I ignore his comment, unpack my stuff, scribble down the task Mrs. Fatimiah wrote for us on the board, and immediately start.
“Mrs. Fatto!” Lucas shouts out, using the nickname he created for our fattest teacher in the school.
“My name is Mrs. Fatimiah, Lucas. Do you have a question about the task?” She sighs, sitting on the edge of her desk. More sniggers come from the corner as the desk creaks. Her cheeks blush and I can’t help but feel for her. She stands up again.
“I think something may be obstructing my view. I can’t see the task.” He whines. I ignore him once more. I won’t let him get to me. “Oh wow! It’s a person! Sorry Grace, I didn’t know you were so big that you could cover the whole board.”
“Lucas, we’ve spoken about this. Verbal abuse in the classroom gets reported to the principal,” she says, trying to hold her ground. Lucas just laughs.
“I’m not scared of him. He is my uncle after all.” Lucas points out, using the my-uncle-is-the-principal-so-if-you-lay-a-finger-on-me-I-will-get-you-fired card once again. Mrs. Fatimiah sighs at a loss.
“Lucas, if you really can’t see, then move seats.” She proposes. Really, ma’am? I want to ask her. Is that really the only solution you can come up with?
“There’s no other seat in the classroom. Why don’t I swap seats with you, Grace?” he asks. Best not to get on his bad side. I think to myself as I pull myself out of the chair. I gather up my stuff before exchanging seats wordlessly.
“Wow, this seat is warm. Also, bigger than the other one. What did you do, stretch it?” Lucas teases. I restrain from snapping back. No, wood can’t stretch you dumbass! But again, I take the high road and ignore him for the hundredth time today.
Crack.
I suddenly hear from the small chair underneath me.
Before I know it, I’m lying sprawled on the ground, breaking the small wooden chair.
The realization hits me like a tidal wave. I broke the chair. Embarrassment overwhelms me and I feel my face heat up. Why couldn’t I just last one more day? That’s all it is, one day.
I’m a stranded whale on the shore—hopeless, huge, and unable to get up or get away from the public eye. My arms and legs flap around and I try to roll over. But I am hopeless. I am stuck.
Laughter roars around me, especially from a certain Lucas Keith. I thought I couldn’t redden any more than I already have, but I feel another surge of heat hit my face.
I am completely and utterly stuck.
“Need a little help?” says a low voice. I look up to see Lucas hovering above me. I give him a puzzled expression. Why is he offering to help?
“Yes!” I exclaim. Lucas bends down before jerking straight back up, glory etched all over that arrogant face of his.
“I’m sorry Grace, there is no way I can lift you up. You are probably three times my weight.” He laughs and his posse joins in. I should have known.
“Don’t apologize,” I hiss sarcastically. “I’m fine getting up by myself.” I roll around some more before giving up.
“She looks like a beached whale!”
“She’s so fat. You can barely see her face!”
Comments soar around me and Lucas looks much too pleased with himself. I close my eyes and before I know it, tears form around them. I can’t help it as they quietly fall down. With one surge of power, I roll over and pull myself up.
“Being attractive and having every girl beg on their knees for your attention don’t mean you can treat me like a piece of dirt. I happen to be the only girl in this school who hates your guts and I’m proud of it. You can make fun of my weight but at the end of the day, you’ll be the one with the guilty conscience and I’ll be the one who ends up with an actual life. So, screw you, Lucas!” I scream in his face before storming out of the room.
I’m done with this.
***
I wipe the tears off my face with the back of my hand and jog down the corridor, heading outside. The air is cool and I take a deep breath in to calm myself down.
I unfortunately see my brother, Will, coming through the doors with his friends. He instantly recognizes me and hurries over with a worried expression on his face.
“Grace! What happened?” he says, taking my fat face in his hands. I try to push him off me but his grip remains firm.
“Nothing!” I shout and push his muscly arms off me and carry on jogging into the car park. He is a lot fitter than me so he catches up in an instant.
“Was it Lucas again?” he asks. I shake my head. The last thing I want is for my brother to get involved. It’ll only make Lucas realize his power over me.
“It’s nothing. I feel ill so I’m going home,” I mumble, finally reaching my car.
“Do you want me to drive you home?” he asks sincerely. I shake my head, before carefully climbing into the car.
“I’m fine. See you later Will,” I tell him, before starting the engine and driving away. I allow a tear down my cheek as my surroundings rush past me. How can Lucas treat me that way? There are plenty of other overweight students at Jistie High. Why me?
/> I park my car in my driveway and look up at our beautiful family home. Thank goodness. Wandering into the warmth of the house, I place my jacket on the coat rack.
“Mom?” I call out, hoping she isn’t home. Nobody answers and I settle myself down into the kitchen. I need some comfort food. Reaching to the cupboard I retrieve a full tube of Oreos. Twist, lick, dunk. I think to myself after pouring a cup of milk. Why does Lucas have to be so horrible? I may be fat but I can’t help it. My eyes look down to the Oreos in my hand. Yes, you can.
No, I can’t! I reply to the small voice in my head. I was born with more meat on my bones than most girls. Even if I stopped eating all together, I would be fat still.
No, you wouldn’t. You were born with your mother’s figure but you ruined it.
I hit the side of my head with the tube of Oreos. Gah! Stupid voices. I stick my hand down the tube and take another Oreo out.
I suddenly stop, my mouth watering and my hand hovering by my open lips.
Do you really need to?
Once you’ve eaten that, it’ll go to your stomach and make you fatter than you already are.
Why would you do that to yourself?
You’re already fat.
Instead of casting the voices in my head away, I let them win the battle and place the cookie back into the tube.
That’s it. You’ve realized, haven’t you? It’s your fault Lucas bullies you. You don’t have to be fat.
“No, I don’t.”
If you enjoyed this sample, look for
Sweet Revenge
on Amazon.
Chapter 1
He is my best friend, my brother, but he betrayed me.
“Remember this moment the next time you wanna steal my boyfriend, bitch.”
And my brother lied to her just to see me fall down, just because he couldn’t see me happy.
~
