I'm a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Chapter 1: Look at Me

Chapter 2

*One month later*

My fingers graze each fabric of every shirt I have hung in my walk-in closet. Being the eldest and only girl has its advantages. For one, I get the largest room -not the master's, that's always for the parents- all to myself. Unfortunately, I have to share my claustrophobic bathroom with my younger brothers. Those brats really know how to make a mess, especially when it comes to going through my personal items without my permission.

Smirking to myself, I pull a bright red shirt off the hanger. It's perfect, absolutely perfect. It's a little low cut but it's not like I have much to show off with it. The curvy lining will definitely give me some more shape, considering I don't have much.

Pulling the soft cotton shirt over my head, I smile with my eyes as I stare at my reflection. The extremely tight, black skinny jeans I'm wearing give me the long leg look, even though I don't need the help. I've always been the taller, skinner kind, but it never really bothered me until I realized I didn't have enough body fat in the places Derek wanted.

My heels give me an extra boost as well and even make me look curvier somehow. I'd never paid much attention to my appearance until I noticed the new girl Derek has been looking at.

It's been a long month of mental breakdowns and observing from afar. I tried to keep my distance in hopes that he just needed some space, but I've come to realize that it isn't helping either of us. So I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and start being the girlfriend Derek needs. Clearly I wasn't what he needed me to be before.

The dark colors I filled in around my eyes make them stand out and give more of a sexier look, which I'm going for. I also decided to curl my long hair since it's something I've never done before.

My stomach aches with regret as I look myself over in the mirror. If I had just put in some effort a month ago, Derek wouldn't have given up on us. He had always liked me because I was quiet and different from everyone else at school. He liked that I could ace every test without studying and shoot off random facts when we had nothing else to talk about. If only I had realized sooner how sick he was of having a nerdy girlfriend. If I had just tried harder before, I wouldn't be single now.

"Amber! You have to leave in five minutes, let's go!" my mom yells from downstairs as I hear a loud crash followed by multiple yelps and screams. I sigh and roll my eyes, knowing fully well it's my lunatic brothers getting into more trouble. "Christopher Joseph!"

I laugh and grab my large purse that I use as a backpack and my phone off the nightstand. Flicking off the lights in my room, I cross the long hallway to the stairs and climb down to the kitchen.

As soon as I enter our newly painted kitchen, the smell of freshly baked foods fill my nose.

"It's about time," my mother sighs, frantically moving back and forth over the stove, making sure the food is cooked to perfection. She's the best cook in this town, no questions asked. Everyone knows it because she owns the restaurant in the center of town, where everyone goes for almost any occasion. I work there a few nights a week, but since the break-up, I haven't been putting in many hours.

I shake my head and take a few pieces of random food that's spread across the table for the family to choose from. "Sorry, mom."

She glances over at me from her place besides the stove and I can see the disapproval in her eyes. My outfit isn't revealing or ridiculous, but it's definitely different from my comfy sweaters and baggy jeans.

Before mom can chastise me for my sudden change in appearance, the monsters that are slowly destroying our home remind us of their existence. My three younger brothers are all in the living room watching cartoons until mom finishes breakfast and I only know because of all the bickering coming from there.

Anthony rounds the corner into the kitchen to inevitably tattle on someone else when there's a loud bang from the other room. It sounds like something broke, but thankfully not glass. I definitely don't want to stick around to see the damage or listen to everyone's punishments.

I shove a greasy piece of well-done bacon in my mouth and shout an "I'm out!" before running out the door, grabbing my keychain on the way.

My heels bounce off the pavement as I head in the direction of my aging transportation. It's a rundown Mazda that was passed down from my mom seeing as she bought a newer, better one. It used to be sparkling white but now has dirt covering every surface and a not-so noticeable crack in the back window.

It may not be a beauty, but it most definitely gets the job done and once I save up enough money, I can get a new car.

Pulling up in the packed parking lot, I park my car and step out into the chilly autumn air. A gust of wind flows past my face, causing my already blushed cheeks to redden from the crisp touch. I glance around the densely populated parking lot and frown, sighing in frustration when I don't see Derek.

A mocking voice in the very back of my head tells me I already know where he is. He's with the girl he left me for.

I still don't believe that Derek had been with her while we were together. I see them walk to halls holding hands and kissing in the parking lot, but it still doesn't feel right. I don't want to believe that it's that easy for him to move on from us, while I'm still crying myself to sleep.

It hurts everytime I see them together, but logically I understand. I wasn't enough and Derek was tired of waiting for me to better myself for him. I'm the one who messed up and now I need to fix it.

Pulling open the door of the smallest high school in possibly the state, I try not to make it obvious who I'm looking for. I just need Derek to see that I can be what he needs.

Knowing that Derek would love to see me like this; all red and curvy has given me enough confidence to ignore the odd stares. I'm unsure if my change in appearance is having the effect I wanted or if people are just weirded out by the change. I've never had to understand anyone's expressions before since I've only really talked to two people in this school. Even Derek's friends stayed as far from me as possible.

It feels strange to have attention on me, even if it's hardly much. I keep my gaze down so I don't have to see the mysterious expressions of the people that I pass.

My steps falter when I see the person I've been waiting for. He's with a couple of his friends and the blonde wanna-be actress that I know he's been fucking. It makes me sick to my stomach to see his hands wrapped around her waist like they once roamed mine. It's been so long since I've been touched and loved like he's now doing to her.

Just when my hope is about to drain completely from my body, his head rises as he laughs at something the girl had said. My heart skips a beat as his bright eyes lock with mine and I wish more than anything that we were alone. I just want his arms around me again and his lips on mine. I miss the affection and intimacy that we shared.

He seems to be thinking hard about something as his eyes travel up and down my figure, soaking in every detail I improved. He drags his eyes up the length of my body and stops when he meets my eyes.

I can see his thoughts reflecting in his eyes, but I keep walking, unsure how to approach him. I want him to be the one to come back since he's the one who left. The more I chase him, the faster he'll run and so I need to just wait for him.

I continue down down the hall, pretending the best I can that inside I'm not dying. I shove open the door to the girls bathroom and quickly shut it, pressing my back hard against the door.

Derek wouldn't have even looked at me if he didn't still have feelings for me. I refuse to believe that there isn't still a chance for us. You can't give your all to someone and then cut them out of your life without a second glance. Derek isn't heartless and I know he cares about me.