CHAPTER 1
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Tamara's perspective
My eyes fluttering open, i groaned at the discomfort that engulfed me. My head felt like it was being pounded by a thousand hammers, and a low moan escaped my lips as I squeezed my eyes shut. A moment later, the headache subsided enough for me to open my eyes and take in my surroundings.
Unfamiliarity greeted my gaze. This definitely isn't my room. There's no mirror here, and my favorite teddy bear, "Tom," is missing. He's always right beside my mirror at home.
"Where am I?" I croaked, the question hanging heavy in the air. My eyes landed on a tray with medical instruments on a nearby shelf. My heart skipped a beat.
"A hospital?" The possibility sent a wave of fear through me. Was I sick? Had I been in an accident? Glancing at my clothes, I saw my school uniform – intact, with no signs of blood. So, why am I here?
Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing a face that sent a jolt of recognition through me. It was Bryan, and in that instant, memories flooded back.
[Flashback]
"Ugh!" I groaned in annoyance as my alarm blared loudly, nearly deafening me.
I grabbed it from my bedside table, slammed the snooze button, and threw it across the room, landing who knows where.
Ugh, I rolled my eyes and tucked my hair behind my ears.
What in the world am I supposed to do this morning? And why would Mum or Liam even think about setting my alarm when I'm still on holiday?I grumbled, trailing off as a realization dawned on me. "Wait, it's… it's the first day of grade 9!" I jumped for joy on my big mattress, practically screaming with excitement.
I'm not excited about school, but for something else entirely. Today is the day, the day I would finally confess my feelings to Bryan, my long-time crush. It isn't just a crush; it is love, pure and simple. He is everything I could ever want: handsome, kind, and with eyes that could melt glaciers. We'd been friends since seventh grade, and throughout that time, my love for him had only grown stronger.
He'd been there for me when I was ostracized and labeled "Fatty Mara." He'd defended me against the relentless bullying, he is my "beacon of light in a sea of darkness".
Back in middle school, I was overweight and didn't feel very confident in my appearance. I was surprised and thrilled when Bryan, a guy I had a crush on since sixth grade, became my friend in seventh grade. We, along with Ellen, formed a close group. Only Ellen knew about my secret feelings for Bryan, though. Back then, I didn't have the courage to confess because I wasn't comfortable with how I looked. And now, I am no longer that same girl. I am stronger, more confident, and undeniably beautiful.
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The transformation had been drastic. My once chubby frame had sculpted itself into a model-like figure. My big blue eyes sparkled, contrasting beautifully with my glowing brown skin.My straight, black hair flows down my back, and my lips were perfectly shaped.
I can't wait to see the look on those bullies' faces when they see the new me. They knew me as "fatty Mara" throughout eighth grade, but now, I'm returning to nineth grade as "the most beautiful Mara." My transformation was complete.
I imagined the shock on Bryan's face when he will see me the way his jaw would drop, and the breathless question that would escape his lips
Inevitably, no man could resist such beauty. All thanks to Ellen, my best friend and confidante. She'd helped me through it all, and now, it is time to reap the rewards.
Panic knotted my stomach as I glanced at the wall clock. 6:50 “am running late!" I muttered under my breath, rushing towards my wardrobe. I flung it open and grabbed my neatly ironed school uniform: a crisp pink shirt emblazoned with "Makers High School" in black, and a white pleated skirt paired with black knee socks.
I tossed them onto the bed and darted towards my dresser. With a swift motion, I pulled open a drawer and took out my undergarments. Closing it back, I crouched in front of my shoe rack, carefully selecting a pair of new black shoes. Placing them beside my uniform on the bed.
Head held high and shoulders squared, I marched into the bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste at the sink. The minty aroma of toothpaste greeted me as I squeezed a dollop onto my brush and began brushing my teeth.
Catching a glimpse of myself in the oval mirror above the sink, I cracked a grin. My reflection mirrored my good mood with a grin of its own. I couldn't resist humming along to "Sorry" by Beyoncé, the upbeat tune filling the bathroom with its infectious energy.
With a sigh of satisfaction, I rinsed the brush, watching the minty foam swirl down the drain then returned my toothpaste and toothbrush to their rightful place
I reached into the vanity cabinet and grabbed my pink shower cap, towel, sponge, and a bar of soap. With the towel hung on the closet door, I tucked my messy hair under the cap, stripped down my pink pajamas, and jumped into the warm embrace of the shower.
Turning the faucet, I welcomed the tiny jets of water as they danced excitedly on my skin. With a satisfying lather, I scrubbed my sponge and soap together, creating a creamy cloud that I used to wash every inch of my body. After a few minutes of invigorating cleansing, I concluded my shower with a final rinse and turned off the faucet, i grabbed my towel and wrapped it around myself. I dried off as I made my way back to my room.
There, I grabbed my "de-care" body lotion and applied it liberally to my skin. Then, my underwear, followed by my school shirt. I buttoned it up before slipping on my pop-socks and my short, flouncy skirt. I pulled off my shower cap and sat on the stool facing the mirror. I grabbed my hair brush and lotion from the shelf and started applying the lotion to my hair. After applying hair lotion, I brushed my long, silky hair back until it flowed smoothly down my back. Feeling content with the straight, sleek style, I decided to leave my hair loose for the day.
With a little lip gloss, I finished off my look. Standing up I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, satisfied with how I looked. Tossing my phone into my backpack, I flung it over my shoulders,shoved my feet into my black shoes and headed out the door, ready for the day.
To be continue….
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