All Chapters of From Shadows to Spotlight : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The loud ringing of the bell shattered my daydreams, and I snapped my head up, packing my books hastily. The classroom emptied, and I followed, swept up in the sea of students flooding the hallway.It was the end of another torturous day in hell, and the hall was filled with boisterous noise and laughter.As I trudged through the the school hallway, the smell of stale sweat, fresh wax, and the faint scent of cafeteria food filled my nostrils. Lockers creaked open and shut, and the din of chatter and laughter enveloped me. I kept my head down, my bangs shielding my face like a curtain. Maybe if I remained invisible, they'd forget I existed.But fate had other plans.Victoria, the queen bee and my step-sister, strode toward me, her long legs eating up the distance. Her smirk was a warning sign, a precursor to the chaos that was about to ensue."Hey, fatty," she cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're still struggling to fit into those jeans. Maybe you should try elastic w

The next morning, I woke up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. The memory of Jake's cruel words and Victoria's relentless taunts still lingered, making my stomach churn.As I dragged myself to school, the weight of my emotions threatened to suffocate me.The hallways, once familiar and comforting, now seemed like a never-ending gauntlet of ridicule.The school’s gossip mill seemed to be working overtime. The news of our breakup had spread like wildfire, and everyone seemed to be watching me, whispering, and snickering."Hey, Kae-pig, heard Jake finally realized he was dating a whale," someone jeered.I quickened my pace, but the comments followed me. They were everywhere."Looks like someone needs to go on a diet," another voice chimed in.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.Not here.Not now.I spotted Emily, my former friend, whispering to a group of classmates."Did you hear Jake said she was too fat for him?" Emily giggled.The group erupted in

I stood before the mirror, hardly recognizing the person staring back. The reflection showed a transformed woman, a far cry from the frail, broken girl I once was.Gone was the soft, rounded face, hidden behind layers of fat. My cheekbones now stood defined, my jawline sharp.Gone were the baggy clothes, concealing my body. My new wardrobe accentuated my curves, showcasing toned arms and legs.I’d gotten rid of the bangs, and my long, curly hair cascaded down my back, framing my determined face. My hazel eyes, once dull and lifeless, sparkled with a newfound fire.I gave myself one last one-over before slinging my bag over my shoulder, and walking out of the room.Downstairs, my family awaited. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air, enticing me to join them."Hey, sweetie, you look amazing!" My stepmom, whom I called mom, exclaimed, as I entered the kitchen. Her eyes shone with genuine pride.Dad had married her after my mom died when I was born, and she