2 -Strip

Eliza's POV;

"Hey, Eliza! "She greets with a voice laced with thick venom.

"I can see the pain in your eyes, and it's quite obvious that you wish you were in my shoes right now.

I mean, which girl in Emerald High, won't want to be? To be prom queen beside the one and only Damien Claude.

It's no surprise you didn't win though, I mean with all the rumors traveling about..." She says, and I look up at her as her last words capture my interest.

What rumors?

"People have been saying you're getting a bit too fat, and that you also seem to be getting shorter. Also that your skin tone seems to be dropping. And that... "Amber begins, but Athena cuts her off.

"That's just about enough, Amber! "Athena yells at her, and she jumps in fright.

"Really, and what if I don't think it's enough? "Amber questions to dare her, and Athena steps closer to her.

"I dare you to say one more word, Amber. And it's either you wind up in a hospital or become the very first prom queen to rule the day in a wheelchair. "Athena replies.

Amber gasps, and steps away from Athena. "Are you threatening me? "She questions and Athena smiles.

"I sure as hell am. Now, please say one more word to Eliza so we can find out if it's an empty threat or not." Athena says, and Amber glares at her for a few seconds before abruptly turning around and rushing off. Causing Athena to spit.

She turns around to face me and finds me lost in thought.

"Eliza... Are you really going to take that clown seriously? You know she's nothing but a pain in the side.

Just ignore her and her words. She's just trying to get to you. Okay? "Athena says to me and I nod as I try to blink away the tears biting the side of my eyes.

"Yeah, sure. "I reply and Athena smiles before pulling me into a side hug and walking with me towards my car.

We get to the car and we go through our normal after-school routine. My driver takes her to her home and drives me back to mine.

*****

I shut my eyes in frustration as the all too familiar, elderly voice takes up the house.

Aunt Gloria!

My father's elder sister.

When my father's parents died, she was all he had. She provided for them, and ' taught him all he knows about fashion. '

And now that he's a grown man with his own family. She constantly hovers around us to have her way.

She likes Daniel more than me, and she has no issue showing it.

There's a gentle knock on my door, and I turn to it.

"Yeah? "I call.

"May I come in? "My brother questions and I roll my eyes.

" Hold on. "I call back before rolling out of my bed and walking over to the door. I unlock it for him to come in, and turn around to face the mirror facing the door.

"Aunt Gloria is downstairs. "He says. Shutting the door behind him and standing behind me.

" I know. I heard. "I reply. Folding my arms and staring into the mirror. Staring at the similarities, and differences between my brother and me.

"Mom called her here for you. "He says, and I look up at him in the mirror in shock.

"She called her because of the pimple and weight gain." He adds, and I shut my eyes.

"Listen, Eliza. You're one of the prettiest people I've ever known. I'm always happy to show you off as my kid sister, any day.

If both our parents weren't so into fashion and perfection, you'd still be drop-dead gorgeous. Your brown eyes are so pure and full of life, and you have beautiful black hair.

You should never let our family's hunger for perfection make you feel any less than you are. "Daniel says, and I look up at him in the mirror in awe.

"You're beautiful, Eliza. Very beautiful." He adds before placing his hands on my shoulders and planting a kiss on my hair.

"Hurry down. They're waiting. "He says as he walks out of the room, and I stare longer at myself in the mirror with my brother's words replaying in my head.

They seemed genuine enough. Daniel is one of the best big brothers in the world. Yeah, we grew up and got more involved with our personal business than each other. But whenever he gets the chance, he shows me that he's still my amazing big brother.

I inhale deeply, turn on my heels and head out of my room. Downstairs to my aunt's bitter tongue.

"Eliza, there you are! "My mom says on seeing me descend the stairs, and I smile before greeting them all.

"Good Evening, Aunty Gloria." I greet and, she looks over at my mother.

"You're right. It is bad! She looks like a pig! How couldn't you notice any sooner that she was becoming a balloon!?" She says to my mother, and I swallow.

I... Look like a pig!?

What!?

"I... I've been very busy. But that's why I called you. Please help. I don't want her looking any worse." My mom replies, and I stare at her in disbelief.

Any worse!?

What the hell!?

"Alright, miss. We have a lot of work to do." Aunt Gloria says to me as she rises, and I nod.

"To the guest room. "She orders, and I obey without wasting any time.

I rush to one of the guest rooms in the corner of the living room, and not long after, she joins me in the room. I listen to the door shut, and her next word almost chokes me.

"Strip."She orders.

"Huh? "I question in alarm, and she gives me a look.

Well, I'm 18 years old, and I am in no way comfortable with stripping in front of anybody!

Especially not in front of a woman who finds it so easy to body-shame me!

"Eliza, honey. I wasn't told you've developed a hearing problem, or that English has become a problem for you.

I said, strip."