I Know Your Secret

Madelyn

   EAT, EAT, EAT. I NEED TO EAT. But I can't. I just can't. I mean, look at me. Or maybe I need to eat more? Do I look too thin? Maybe I should eat at least three meals today. Maybe some snacks in between? Sure. Let's do that.
   How much do I weigh now? As I stepped on the scale, the numbers went up and down. Up and down. I just needed it to show a specific number. My number. I need to be average. Or at least what I think is average. There. Right there. One hundred thirty-four. That's average. At least I think so. Maybe I need to eat more today. I'll try to eat all of my breakfast and dinner. Today can be my cheat day.
   What should I wear? Maybe this blouse? No, too tight. Maybe these jeans? No, too baggy. I need to wear something that shows the perfect shape. Here, this floral dress. I'll top it all off with my Vans and jacket.
   "Morning mom, what's for breakfast? I need something big. I need to get higher than one hundred thirty-four," I said. "Honey, what's that supposed to mean?" she said back. She always wondered why I cared what others thought. She always hated how I would say I'm too fat or too skinny. "Mom, I'm trying to be average," I said. "You already are average," she said. "No. I am not," I said, taking a frozen cinnamon roll and leaving. It was more than enough.
   The halls were filled. It was booming with noise. Mostly people trying to see if they had classes together. I've been in glee since freshman year, so I had people to talk to about that. "S-s-s-sarah!" I said. "M-m-m-madelyn!" she said back. "Hola senorita, how was your summer," she said. "Like last summer, and the summer before. You got really tan. How was Mexico?" I said. Sarah went to Mexico for her parents' wedding. They were together for twenty years and only just got married. Very weird. "Amazing! I learned some Spanish and got to sing the whole entire wedding," she said. "Good. That's good."
   The bell rang. Everyone immediately rushed to the auditorium for the assembly. Phoebe and Natalie were always speaking at assemblies. I had to act like I didn't know them. I mean, they were popular, but Phoebe left me because of Chloe but she still stayed friends with Natalie. Maybe because they were best friends forever. I still don't understand why they couldn't keep me around.
   After at least thirty minutes of singing school songs and honoring our graduates from last year, they started speaking about the important things. Like our new principal, Principal Conrad. She had a perfect body. She looked pretty.
   Finally, the assembly was finished. I got to stop seeing these pretty girls with perfect bodies from last year. Then he said hello. Connor said hello. Connor Lee McAdams. One of the smartest guys at Millwood. I always felt nervous in front of him. Especially now that he had a huge glow-up.
   As I looked at my schedule to see what homeroom I was in. Ms. Williams. Turns out class started early because when I walked in, the whole class was already there. The only empty seat was right next to Connor.
   We talked. Had a real conversation. It was awkward at first. Like single-word sentences, then we started saying actual sentences. It didn't last as long as I thought it would though.
   While we were transitioning to our other classes, everyone went to their lockers to get their books for their next classes, while others went straight there.
   As I got to my locker, I saw people had written words such as "perfectionist" and "pig". By people, I mean Chloe.
   I opened my locker and saw a big piece of paper on top of the books I had put in there. Was it another mean note? I didn't think so. When I read it, I read something that seemed like some sort of threat. It said this.

   "Dear Madelyn Rylie Johanson,
             I Know Your Secret.
At fourth period, go to the janitor's closet and wait. Once you are there, you are going to see a camera. Look into it and say your name. There will be more people, so be prepared.
DO NOT tell anyone about this.
                                 Mr. Anonymous"