CHAPTER FIVE“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh.MAISIEALEXANDER LOOKED UP at me. “What?”“Hmmm?”“You said something.”OMG! He heard me. It was embarrassing to me. I tried to speak but it was hard. So I decided to pretend I didn’t hear him, hoping he’d drop it but he didn’t.“You said something. It sounded like another language,” he pointed out. “What does it mean?”I held my hands together on my lap and stared at them, badly wishing I’d let my hair down today so that it could cover my face a little.Hold up a second, this isn’t something to be embarrassed about, right? Most people would be proud of something like this. So, I took a deep breath and answered, “It means ‘What did you say?’ or ‘I beg your pardon?’” “Oh, I said, ‘You look nice by the way.’”You didn’t have to repeat that, I thought.“What?”Oops! Did I say that out loud?“Nothing. Thanks, I guess. You look nice too.”Alex smile
"Since I don't look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good." - Serena Williams. IT WAS MONDAY again and I did my usual morning routine. After my mom dropped me off, I headed into the school and straight to my locker. I kept wondering about one thing all weekend and it was the same this morning. Why on Earth was Alex being nice to me? He had not shown any form of ill-treatment towards me ever since I met him and I felt weird about it. There was something suspicious about it. To someone who was used to being treated like trash, this was new. At my locker, I dropped the stuff I didn’t need and picked up the books for my morning classes. I was so occupied with my thoughts that I didn’t realize that I had company. "Hello…" The person said to gain my attention. I was surprised to see that it was Avery. "Penny for your thoughts?" She said it so casually, easily – as if we'd been friends for a while. I didn't know what to s
“Life is so much more beautiful and complex than a number on a scale.” – Tess Munster. * “OH MY GOD!” Avery exclaimed. “Are you okay?” Concern was written all over her features. I looked at my shirt and saw chocolate milk dripping down it. My gaze shifted to the carton of milk now on the floor. I tried to wipe the little on my face off. Of course, I wasn’t okay. How could I possibly feel okay after this? Why did I think nothing bad would happen? I should have known something like this would happen. Luck wasn’t on my side. It has never really been. I just wanted a chance to try this thing called friendship with Avery but I guessed my chances had been ruined. Even if she initially genuinely wanted to be my friend, I was sure this would scare her away. I looked forward and Brittany and her crew were on the way and it looked like they were heading toward our table. I was so embarrassed already and the thought of Avery witnessing whatever they’d cooked up made me feel even worse. I j
“Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.” – Eve Ensler.MaisieWHEN I CALLED my mom to inform her not to bother to pick me up because I was going to hang out with a friend, she couldn’t hide her surprise.“Wow. This is new.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “You have no idea how happy I am about this. Go ahead. Have fun, honey and stay as long as you want.”“Okay, mom. See you later.” She even offered to pick me up when we’re done but I told her not to worry, that I’d find my way home. “Boo!”I jumped away from the sound like a startled rabbit and someone laughed. I narrowed my eyes at Avery, not at all amused by her laughing at my expense. “It isn’t funny,” I deadpanned.“I didn’t mean to startle you that much. But it was hilarious either way,”“I’m starting to think that you like teasing me.”She stopped laughing, and put her left hand to her chin, as if thinking about something. Then she shrugged, grinning. “I guess I do.”I shook my head a little, smiling.“You
“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realising that you're the beholder.” - Salma Hayek.I WAS EXHAUSTED. Well, a little bit. I felt sweaty, hot and tired in my joggers and t-shirt. It made me wish I was wearing shorts and tank tops like most of the girls here. I hated gym class but it was mostly because it was the perfect place and opportunity for people to give me the stink eye and comment about how ridiculous I look doing sports. That was one of the reasons I stick to wearing T-shirts and joggers instead. I didn't want to give them more stuff to talk about. We’ve been asked to run laps around the gymnasium and now we were gonna play a game or something and I was already dreading it and hoping it wouldn’t be dodgeball; but as usual, luck was never on my side. “Listen up everyone! Gather around. It's time for some dodgeball. Divide yourselves into two teams.” Our gym teacher, Mr. Norman yelled. Some g
“Your words have so much power. Everyday, if you tell yourself ‘I love you,’ if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.” - Ashley Graham.“I'M GETTING SICK and tired of her.” Someone said agitatedly as I heard people walk into the restroom.I froze in place, my hand still on the lock of the stall I was about to open. The voice sounded so familiar but it was taking my brain awhile to place it.“Me too.” I recognized the voices. It was Bianca and Betty – Brittany's minions. I wondered who they were talking about.“She's so infuriating. She acts like everybody's beneath her. We are supposed to be friends but–”“She treats us like we're her puppets.” Bianca cut in, completing her sentence. They both let out groans.Brittany. They were talking about Brittany.I could have bet that they were standing before the mirror, touching up their makeup as they talked about her. I wondered where their puppet master was, that they were here badmouthing her.Is it bad mouth
“You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.”— Jessica Ortner.“WHAT IS GOING ON here?” Alex’s voice was firm and strong as he spoke.Even though I wasn't happy that he had shown up, it was nice to witness the Bs' shocked expressions as they turned to see who it was.“Alex!” Betty gasped, exchanging questioning glances with her group.“Fancy seeing you here, Alex.” Brittany said flirtatiously.Alex merely waited, staring at them with an expressionless face. His expression revealed nothing to me, so I had no idea what he was thinking. A few beats of silence went by before he spoke once more. "I ask again: ‘What is going on here?’"“His accent is so hot. I can’t get over it.” Bianca whispered a little too loudly to Betty. I had to resist rolling my eyes.Then the Bs realised that until they gave him an answer, he probably wouldn’t have a conversation with them.“Oh, yeah, that.” Britt
SYNOPSISWhat do you think it'd feel like to be constantly reminded of what you hated the most about yourself?Well, Maisie Chambers is well accustomed to that horrible feeling. High school has been hell just because some people can't stand that she's fat. All she wants is to get through the last year of high school as invisible as possible.Alexander Scott and his twin, Avery are the new students that draws everyone's attention. Somehow, they notice Maisie and everything begins to change.For good or bad? She doesn't really know.ಠಿ_ಠಿDear Bullies, the boy you punched in the hall today, committed suicide a few minutes ago. The boy you called lame, he has to work every night to support his family. That girl you pushed down the other day, she's already being abused at home. That girl you called fat, she's starving herself. The old man you made fun of because of the ugly scars, he fought for our country. The boy you made fun of for crying, his mother is dying.You think you know them.
“You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin. You can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.”— Jessica Ortner.“WHAT IS GOING ON here?” Alex’s voice was firm and strong as he spoke.Even though I wasn't happy that he had shown up, it was nice to witness the Bs' shocked expressions as they turned to see who it was.“Alex!” Betty gasped, exchanging questioning glances with her group.“Fancy seeing you here, Alex.” Brittany said flirtatiously.Alex merely waited, staring at them with an expressionless face. His expression revealed nothing to me, so I had no idea what he was thinking. A few beats of silence went by before he spoke once more. "I ask again: ‘What is going on here?’"“His accent is so hot. I can’t get over it.” Bianca whispered a little too loudly to Betty. I had to resist rolling my eyes.Then the Bs realised that until they gave him an answer, he probably wouldn’t have a conversation with them.“Oh, yeah, that.” Britt
“Your words have so much power. Everyday, if you tell yourself ‘I love you,’ if you give yourself one word of validation, it will change your mind.” - Ashley Graham.“I'M GETTING SICK and tired of her.” Someone said agitatedly as I heard people walk into the restroom.I froze in place, my hand still on the lock of the stall I was about to open. The voice sounded so familiar but it was taking my brain awhile to place it.“Me too.” I recognized the voices. It was Bianca and Betty – Brittany's minions. I wondered who they were talking about.“She's so infuriating. She acts like everybody's beneath her. We are supposed to be friends but–”“She treats us like we're her puppets.” Bianca cut in, completing her sentence. They both let out groans.Brittany. They were talking about Brittany.I could have bet that they were standing before the mirror, touching up their makeup as they talked about her. I wondered where their puppet master was, that they were here badmouthing her.Is it bad mouth
“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realising that you're the beholder.” - Salma Hayek.I WAS EXHAUSTED. Well, a little bit. I felt sweaty, hot and tired in my joggers and t-shirt. It made me wish I was wearing shorts and tank tops like most of the girls here. I hated gym class but it was mostly because it was the perfect place and opportunity for people to give me the stink eye and comment about how ridiculous I look doing sports. That was one of the reasons I stick to wearing T-shirts and joggers instead. I didn't want to give them more stuff to talk about. We’ve been asked to run laps around the gymnasium and now we were gonna play a game or something and I was already dreading it and hoping it wouldn’t be dodgeball; but as usual, luck was never on my side. “Listen up everyone! Gather around. It's time for some dodgeball. Divide yourselves into two teams.” Our gym teacher, Mr. Norman yelled. Some g
“Stop trying to fix your body. It was never broken.” – Eve Ensler.MaisieWHEN I CALLED my mom to inform her not to bother to pick me up because I was going to hang out with a friend, she couldn’t hide her surprise.“Wow. This is new.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “You have no idea how happy I am about this. Go ahead. Have fun, honey and stay as long as you want.”“Okay, mom. See you later.” She even offered to pick me up when we’re done but I told her not to worry, that I’d find my way home. “Boo!”I jumped away from the sound like a startled rabbit and someone laughed. I narrowed my eyes at Avery, not at all amused by her laughing at my expense. “It isn’t funny,” I deadpanned.“I didn’t mean to startle you that much. But it was hilarious either way,”“I’m starting to think that you like teasing me.”She stopped laughing, and put her left hand to her chin, as if thinking about something. Then she shrugged, grinning. “I guess I do.”I shook my head a little, smiling.“You
“Life is so much more beautiful and complex than a number on a scale.” – Tess Munster. * “OH MY GOD!” Avery exclaimed. “Are you okay?” Concern was written all over her features. I looked at my shirt and saw chocolate milk dripping down it. My gaze shifted to the carton of milk now on the floor. I tried to wipe the little on my face off. Of course, I wasn’t okay. How could I possibly feel okay after this? Why did I think nothing bad would happen? I should have known something like this would happen. Luck wasn’t on my side. It has never really been. I just wanted a chance to try this thing called friendship with Avery but I guessed my chances had been ruined. Even if she initially genuinely wanted to be my friend, I was sure this would scare her away. I looked forward and Brittany and her crew were on the way and it looked like they were heading toward our table. I was so embarrassed already and the thought of Avery witnessing whatever they’d cooked up made me feel even worse. I j
"Since I don't look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good." - Serena Williams. IT WAS MONDAY again and I did my usual morning routine. After my mom dropped me off, I headed into the school and straight to my locker. I kept wondering about one thing all weekend and it was the same this morning. Why on Earth was Alex being nice to me? He had not shown any form of ill-treatment towards me ever since I met him and I felt weird about it. There was something suspicious about it. To someone who was used to being treated like trash, this was new. At my locker, I dropped the stuff I didn’t need and picked up the books for my morning classes. I was so occupied with my thoughts that I didn’t realize that I had company. "Hello…" The person said to gain my attention. I was surprised to see that it was Avery. "Penny for your thoughts?" She said it so casually, easily – as if we'd been friends for a while. I didn't know what to s
CHAPTER FIVE“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh.MAISIEALEXANDER LOOKED UP at me. “What?”“Hmmm?”“You said something.”OMG! He heard me. It was embarrassing to me. I tried to speak but it was hard. So I decided to pretend I didn’t hear him, hoping he’d drop it but he didn’t.“You said something. It sounded like another language,” he pointed out. “What does it mean?”I held my hands together on my lap and stared at them, badly wishing I’d let my hair down today so that it could cover my face a little.Hold up a second, this isn’t something to be embarrassed about, right? Most people would be proud of something like this. So, I took a deep breath and answered, “It means ‘What did you say?’ or ‘I beg your pardon?’” “Oh, I said, ‘You look nice by the way.’”You didn’t have to repeat that, I thought.“What?”Oops! Did I say that out loud?“Nothing. Thanks, I guess. You look nice too.”Alex smile
“To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don’t wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now.” – Alan Cohen.MAISIETHE BELL JINGLED as I opened the door and walked into Rainbow Café. My eyes scanned the room and I noticed a few familiar faces from school. As I walked towards an empty table, I noticed a blonde whisper something in her friend’s ear. Then they both stared at me with similar looks on their faces –one of disgust. Usually, I’m affected by things like this but for some reason, I didn’t give a damn. I think it had something to do with my being here to see the new guy, Alexander.I sat down in anticipation, keeping myself entertained with my phone as I waited. But an hour later, I was still waiting. Alexander hadn’t walked through the door. Maybe he’s just running a little late, I thought. I had hope and believed that he would show up. I mean, he’s a nice guy and he wanted to be my partner so he’d definitely show.Abou
“My weight? It is what it is. You could get hit by a bus tomorrow. It’s about being content. And sometimes other priorities win.” – Melissa McCarthy. MAISIE AFTER THAT ENCOUNTER with Avery, she always acknowledged me whenever she sighted me. She’d catch my eyes in the hallways and smile. Sometimes, she’d stop by my locker when I’m there to say hi. Initially, I thought she was just being nice and had not yet been told about me but I was wrong. Because a month later, she still gave me those smiles and she’d sometimes sit beside me when she sees me in the classes we had together. I didn’t understand why she was being so nice. She was supposed to have put two and two together and realized that I have no friends. There’s no way someone wouldn’t have told her about me. I didn’t really pay attention to her but it was hard not to notice her and her brother. This past month, I’d mostly seen her with her brother. Seeing as she hadn’t joined the Bs—despite their attempts to befriend her—I guess