Mayara Lovato (a Demi Lovato f.f.)

- Chapter 4

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P.O.V. Mayara

"Morning, sunshine!" Demi's voice pierces my ear.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I snap back.

"Relax! I didn't know you were getting mad or something," she replies casually. I roll my eyes and glare at her.

"Get up! You have to go to school today. Now. Go get changed," she orders.

"Ugh..." I groan.

"Just be downstairs in half an hour," she calls over her shoulder as she leaves my room.

I collapse back onto my bed. School. I really don't want to face it today. I can already feel Kayla and her minions lurking in the halls, waiting to ruin my day. I don't know how much more I can take. Kayla is cruel, flawless, and everything I'm not.

I drag myself to the bathroom, grabbing the first comfortable clothes I can find. Outside, the sun blazes—it's 28 degrees today—and I feel every ounce of it.

No! You're disgusting!
You're a whale!
Stop pretending you're worth anything!

They're right. I'm ugly, a whale, worthless. A tear slips down my cheek as I glance at my outfit one more time. Why me? Why does it always feel like this? I put on a oversized long sleeve.

Downstairs, the family is gathered.

"You're late, Mayara?!" Mom's voice snaps me back to reality.

"I'm... sorry. I'll eat on my way to school," I mutter, praying she doesn't make me.

"It's fine. Demi's driving you and Maddie," Mom says casually.

"You say what?!" I almost scream.

"I said—"

"Yeah, I know, but I already... I'm getting a ride from Lily. Bye!" I bolt out the door. No breakfast, no family drama, no Maddie, and most of all—no Demi. Thirty minutes to school, running—great. At least some exercise.

"May!" Lily's cheerful shout reaches me, but I'm too exhausted to respond properly.

"H-Hey," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"It's nothing," I mutter, hoping she'll drop it.

"May! I'm your best friend. Did you just run here?" How does she know everything? Is she some kind of wizard?

"Maybe," I murmur, trying to walk past her.

But she grabs my arm, dragging me into the nearest bathroom.

"What?!" I snap, my patience fraying.

She looks me in the eyes and gently rolls up my sleeve.

"Stop it!" I shout, yanking my arm away.

"Why? Why would you do this to yourself? You're amazing... beautiful!" Tears spring to my eyes as she wraps me in a hug so tight it feels like safety itself.

"I'll never let you go," she whispers.

"S-Sorry... for everything I've done," I stammer through sobs.

"Don't be. I'll help you get through this," she says softly. I nod, letting her hold me.

We step out of the bathroom together—and there they are.

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