i'm only a fool for you - N.OLIVAR

chapter 2

Y/N woke up the next morning to the soft hum of the early morning air creeping through her half-open window. Noa always scolded her for leaving her window open at night. The sound of birds chirping was muffled by the groan of her alarm clock. She rolled over, silencing it with a lazy slap of her hand, but the familiar knot in her stomach told her it was going to be one of those days. She stared at the ceiling for a long moment, feeling the weight of her own thoughts settling in like a cloud she couldn't quite shake. Her body felt heavy, unfamiliar in a way she hadn't experienced in a while.

She sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her eyes caught her reflection in the full-length mirror across the room. She frowned. Her reflection didn't seem right—her body didn't seem right. She tugged at her pajama top, her fingers tracing the hemline, suddenly hyper-aware of how it fit. It felt tighter than usual, constricting in a way that made her chest tighten.

No. Not again.

Y/N closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the familiar fears gnawed at the back of her mind. She had been doing well lately—really well. Her recovery hadn't been easy, but she had been strong. She had fought against the dark thoughts about her body, the constant scrutiny, and the voices in her head that told her she wasn't enough. But this morning, it felt like all that progress had slipped through her fingers in an instant.

Her heart raced as she stood up and approached the mirror, turning from side to side, examining herself. She tugged at her waist, pinched her thighs, scrutinized every inch of herself with that old, critical eye she thought she'd left behind. But here it was, back again like an unwelcome visitor.

Her hands trembled slightly, and she stepped back from the mirror, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. No. Don't cry. She didn't want to spiral. Not now. Not after everything.Plus Noa would be here soon.

It's just one bad day, she told herself, though the words felt hollow. One bad day doesn't mean anything.

She forced herself to take another deep breath, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She'd be fine. She just needed to get through the day.

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A few minutes drive away , Noa was already up and moving with the ease of someone used to early mornings. She had long since mastered the art of waking up, getting dressed, and pulling herself together in the space of twenty minutes. Her dark curls were loosely flowing , and her outfit—a simple tank top and a skirt —was casual but put together. Noa was the type who made looking effortlessly cool seem, well, effortless.

She glanced at her phone as she grabbed her bag, noting the time. She was going to be right on time to pick up Y/N. As always.

Noa didn't need an alarm to know when Y/N needed her. It was something she just felt, a pull in her chest. Y/N was quieter lately, more withdrawn, and though she hadn't said anything, Noa could feel the distance creeping between them. She wasn't sure what it was yet—maybe just the weight of everything they'd been through recently—but it was there. And it was worrying her.

Sliding her keys into her hand, she grabbed a quick bite of toast before heading out the door. The familiar rumble of her old car was a comforting sound as she climbed inside, the leather seats creaking beneath her. She plugged in her phone, letting music fill the small space as she drove the familiar route to Y/N's house.

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Y/N heard the soft honk of Noa's car from outside her window. She took one last look at herself in the mirror, pushing away the thoughts clawing at the edges of her mind. You're fine, she repeated to herself. It's just a bad morning. She forced a smile onto her face, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, and grabbed her bag.