She Became Pretty

Chapter 2 - My Shitthole

*2018*

"Emily!!!!" I heard Zane's voice scream from across the hall. The second he saw me he came running as he had just seen a demon. I rolled my eye and put my arms out. Almost immediately he took me into a bear hug and spun me around.

"Zane!!" I said with a huge smile. I giggled as he spun me. "Stop!!" He put me down and hugged me deeply one more time.

"I missed you so badly," he said, giving a peck on my cheek.

"Thanks. How's Jessie doing? I heard she's going into labor sometime soon!" He nodded excitedly. He was gonna be a father soon and I was honestly very happy for him. Jessie and Zane had been trying for a kid for many months after they found out Zane's sperm had some problems and they finally got pregnant. It was...great!

"So how are you, girl?" I smiled at him, noticing the small bags under his eyes.

"I'm fine. My metabolism has gone up and I think I'm going to stop focusing on it for now. The doctor said my health is completely fine now and I recovered well. Said I was one of the fastest people in recovering from a fractured leg." I smiled and Zane smiled back.

"So... What's up? You were so weird on the phone and rushed here like pretty fast."

"Oh...I got an email." Zane fake gasped resulting in me punching his arm. He pouted as I continued. "From the high school, I used to go to and they're having a reunion." His face fell immediately.

"Aww, baby." He side hugged me as we began to walk down the hallway towards Jessie's room.

.  .  .  .  .

I finally emerged and left their house with my cheeks red like I had been hit by a lightning bolt. I wish Zane and Jessie had been there for me after high school. They were two of my inspirations during college because they encouraged my weight loss and it really helped.

I smiled when I heard a ding come from the phone. I opened to see another email from a random person. I opened it to see if it was spam or not.

Dear Emily,

Hi. It's been a long time. Too long. Well, my name is Crystal and I'll be doing a pre-reunion dinner. Hope to see you there! Make sure to bring enough money if you want more food. ;)

For the first time in 10 years her name didn't send me running for the hills nor did it scare me. No, her name went away from that. It caused me to laugh.

"Some people never fucking change. I'm going to show you," I said to the phone. I looked up and saw people looking at me. Shit!

*2008*

I ran across the track, my breath hitching at every step. People passed me by one by one as I felt myself losing breath. I stopped, putting my hands on my knees and breathing hard. I felt a push from behind me and the person ran. I watched her, Crystal, swallowing hard. I probably made her mad.

I looked over to Mr. Harvey who looked back with sad eyes, he couldn't do anything. Crystal's father practically ran the school with all the money he had. He was rich and offered so much to the school and funded it so, without him, the school would completely crumble.

I felt tears rush to me but, I ignored them. I got up and kept running as fast as I could. I ran and ran and ran, feeling the speed pick up but, not looking, I tripped over my own foot and came crashing down. My knee and arm scraped the hard floor and I stayed silent, not crying.

"Emily, locker room, now!" Mr. Harvey called out. I got up, nodding, and rushed there. Luckily, I wouldn't have to be tormented by Crystal and the other girls in the locker room today. Last week they threw a bucket of water on me and wet my clothes so, I had to walk in my gym uniform.

I sniffled and walked slowly to the locker room.

Crunch. I hear the same sound from the football field and turned immediately but, found nothing. I looked around for a bit but, ultimately decided it was my head. I turned around and saw a first aid box with a note attached to it. I picked it up and headed to the locker room.

When I got there, I immediately tried my best to hurry up but, first I had to see that note. I opened it to see the letters perfectly aligned and neatly written, showing obvious commitment and concentration.

Hey Emily,

Sorry, I can't be there to protect you. This is not a love letter or anything like that bullshit but, I'm sorry that they do that to you. I GOT YOU. And again don't be going around thinking this is some lovey-dovey crap. I just feel bad for you. If you want to say anything in return you can leave a note in the kit and keep it on the side of the bench in the girls' locker room.

-T

I stared at the note and read it over multiple times and then a small laugh left my mouth. I opened the kit and took out the bandages and alcohol. After cleaning myself up, I opened my locker, took out a pen and wrote on the back of the letter.

I DON'T NEED PITY.

Then closed it and left it.

I quickly changed and left the locker room as fast as possible, I could finally go home now.

Practically sprinting out of there as I heard the girls approach, I let the wind take me and my breath too. I went as fast as my legs could take me and walked straight home.

After about a 50 minute walk, I was home. I went to the door and opened it, hearing a loud squeak. As usual, it as just me all alone in this huge house. I walked towards my bedroom, passing by my mom and dads. But, just as I was about to ignore it, I walked in.

I laid myself in the soft linen sheets and grabbed the picture on the bed stand of mom and dad.

"I miss you guys. It's a complete shit hole here. But, I know heaven is probably amazing, huh? You know I love you guys and I'm sorry that I'm a big disappointment. I've been fucking up quite a lot. I mean I'm obviously to blame for how they treat me and you guys would probably say take all the help you get but, honestly, I don't want anyone to help me. I don't want people worrying about me. I got that in middle school and looked what happened. I got you guys killed."