𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 (Eating Disorder Recovery Story)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Eli stood at the entrance of Crestwood High, his heart pounding in rhythm with the chime of the bell. It was the first day of freshman year, a time of excitement for many-but for him, it felt like stepping into a battlefield.

As he adjusted the straps of his backpack, he caught sight of the other students laughing and chatting, their faces glowing with anticipation. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that this year would be different. He was finally ready to embrace who he was: Eli, a Trans boy.

But as he walked through the halls, whispers followed him like shadows. "Is that a girl or a boy?" one voice snickered. Eli's heart sank. The armor of confidence he'd tried to show, felt flimsy against the weight of their judgment,another voice popped in the air with hatred "eww look at this fat hippo" He hurried to his first class, hoping to blend in.

In art class, he sat quietly at a table in the corner, sketchbook open but untouched. His teacher, Mrs. Park, noticed his hesitance and approached. "Eli, I'd love to see what you're working on" she said gently. He looked up, meeting her kind eyes, and for a moment, he felt seen.

But just then, the door swung open, and a group of Privileged kids entered, laughing loudly.

"Look at the freak!" one of them shouted, pointing directly at him. The laughter echoed off the walls, each sound piercing Eli's already fragile sense of self. His face burned with humiliation, turning a deep crimson as he shrank deeper into his seat. Mrs park's eyes narrowed as she peered over to the obnoxious students who just entered her classroom and purses her lips ready to speak "Excuse me, I won't be having any of that unkind behavior in my classroom, Apologize right now, then sit down this instant!" She exclaimed in a raised tone towards them.

The group simultaneously Grit their teeth as they turn to Eli, "we're sorry for being rude" they all give Eli a dirty look, one by one before sitting down at their desks.