The skinny girl

Chapter 1

---** The Race Against Time**

The sun rose slowly over the quiet town of Maplewood, casting a warm glow on the familiar streets. Emma stirred in her bed, the soft rays filtering through her curtains, nudging her awake. Today was the first day of her senior year, and she had promised herself it would be different. This year, she would step out of her comfort zone and make it memorable.

But first, she needed to find her backpack.

"Mom! Where's my backpack?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the house. She sat up, her wild, curly hair sticking out in every direction, and glanced around her messy room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, evidence of her late-night preparations.

"Check under your bed, Emma! You left it there last night!" her mom called back from the kitchen, her voice laced with a mix of patience and amusement.With a sigh of relief, Emma crawled off her bed and knelt down, reaching under it. Sure enough, her backpack was there, crammed with textbooks and a few hastily packed snacks. She pulled it out, brushing off the dust, and threw it over her shoulder.

"Breakfast!" her mom shouted again, and Emma dashed down the stairs, the smell of pancakes wafting through the air. She loved mornings like this, filled with the comforting aroma of her mom's cooking.

As she entered the kitchen, her mom was flipping pancakes on the griddle, a smile on her face. "You're going to be late if you don't eat!"

Emma grabbed a plate, shoveling food into her mouth as her mind raced with thoughts of the day ahead. New classes, new teachers, and the pressure of college applications loomed over her like a dark cloud. But what excited her most was the chance to finally stand out in her last year of high school.

"Are you nervous?" her mom asked, glancing at her with a knowing look.

"A little," Emma admitted, her fork pausing mid-air. "But I'm ready for a fresh start."

"Just be yourself, honey. You'll do great," her mom reassured her, and Emma smiled, feeling a flicker of confidence.

After breakfast, Emma rushed to grab her things. She glanced at the clock—7:15 AM. The bus would leave in fifteen minutes, and she couldn't afford to miss it.

As she burst outside, she spotted her neighbor, Jake, waiting by his bike. He was a year older and always had a knack for teasing her. "Hey, skinny! You're going to miss the bus!" he joked, a playful grin on his face.

"Not if I can help it!" Emma shot back, determination fueling her steps. She could hear the bus rumbling in the distance, and adrenaline surged through her. This was her moment—nothing would hold her back.

With one last burst of speed, she leaped onto the bus just as the doors were closing. Breathless but exhilarated, she found a seat next to her best friend, Lily, who was already flipping through her new planner.

"Did you hear about the new guy?" Lily whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He's supposed to be super cute!"

Emma shrugged, trying to hide her indifference. "Great, just what we need—another reason for boys to point out how skinny I am."

"Oh, come on! You're not just the skinny girl," Lily teased, nudging her playfully. "You might actually like him!"

Emma rolled her eyes, not wanting to admit that a small part of her was curious. "I doubt it. I'm just focused on getting through this year."

As the bus rolled through the familiar streets, Emma felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. 

What if this new guy was just like all the others—someone who would tease her or ignore her?