You Draw Me In ➳ Myung Jaehyun

9: Bleachers and Beyond

The morning sunlight spills into the kitchen as I spoon cabbage soup into my mouth, attempting to kickstart the day with the legendary cabbage soup diet. Little did I know that my morning routine would lead to family intervention.

My mother, armed with a disapproving look and a spatula, marches to the kitchen where we're gathered for breakfast. 'Lizzie, what in the world are you eating for breakfast? Is that cabbage soup?'

I nod proudly, trying to maintain my composure. 'Yep, the famed cabbage soup diet. It's a thing, mom.'

She eyes me skeptically. 'A thing? That's a disaster. You're following that CalamityQuest girl, aren't you?'

I choke on a spoonful of soup, coughing as I try to compose myself. 'It's CalorieQuest, Mom.'

My mother squints at me, clearly not convinced. 'Well, whatever her name is, she's a bad influence. Eating cabbage soup for breakfast? That's not normal.'

My father, ever the calm presence, interjects. 'Now, dear, maybe you contributed to this?'

My mother raises an eyebrow. 'No, I did not! And this CalorieQuest person should be banned. Influencing our children with these extreme diets!'

Karina, the ever-so-graceful sister, eyed me with a smirk. 'Look who's following in the footsteps of CalorieQuest. Trying to shed some pounds again I see.' However, I'm super relieved that Karina just think I'm imitating, not that I'm actually her.

I glare at her, not appreciating the teasing. 'I'm just trying too.'

She laughs, 'sure, sure. Just don't end up dying at this rate.'

As the conversation continues, I can't help but shake my head at the absurdity of it all. Little do they know, the real twist lies in the fact that I'm closer to CalorieQuest than anyone suspects. The secret, for now, is safe.

'*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*'

The moment I step into the school corridors, it's like I've entered a parallel universe where everyone is buzzing about the latest happenings on social media.

'Did you guys see CalorieQuest's latest video?'

'Yeah, she's blowing up! I heard she gained like a million followers overnight!'

'CalorieQuest is practically a celebrity now. I wonder what she looks like behind the mask.'

'Definitely not like Pennywise.'

As I navigate through the sea of chatter, I can't help but feel apprehension. The world of CalorieQuest, once just a refuge, is now exploding into the mainstream, and I'm just an unsuspecting participant in the drama.

Danielle catches up with me. 'Lizzie! Have you seen this CalorieQuest user? She's everywhere, and people are obsessed!'

I nod, trying to play it cool. 'Yeah, it's wild. Who would've thought a cabbage soup diet would become a sensation?'

As the two of us wave through the hallway, trying to blend in with the sea of students, I overhear Jaehyun's voice drifting over from a conversation with Yeonjun.

'Hey, do you know a girl around here who subtly resembles Karina?' Jaehyun's question lingers in the air. My heart immediately stops, he was probably talking about my slim version.

Yeonjun replies with a casual shrug. 'Nah, man. Can't say I've seen anyone like that around here.'

I grab unto Danielle's hand, signaling her to stop so that we listen to the conversation. She looks at me with a questioning look but decides to listen as well.