Hattie isn't anorexic... at least she thinks she isn't. That is until Cole comes along and points out the error in her ways. Can Cole save Hattie before her time runs out or will she just become a skinny love lost right before this bad boy's eyes?
I arrive home and am completely out of breath after deciding to sprint the whole way back. Opening the front door all I hear is silence meaning I am going to be home alone all night, which I am thankful for. I can't deal with my parents arguing tonight or my sister glaring at me as if I have committed murder. I run upstairs and get changed into running clothes. I will do a bit of school work and then go for a run. Deciding on a light blue top and black leggings I grab my books and start writing out the recipe I need for cooking. As I write, the comments made on my appearance start replaying in my head. Completing only half of it before having had enough of the constant replay of insecurities in my head, I grab my trainers and run out of the door.
I decide on a different route today, a longer one. That way I should burn the most calories. Starting my usual routine of recapping what I have eaten today is gone because I haven't eaten a thing, that was simple enough. I keep running while the comments still repeat in my head like a broken record, pushing harder and harder, running faster and faster until I see a familiar figure ahead of me. Cole. Why is he always running where I run? He going to think I an stalking him or something. I kind of want to show him that what Cadie was saying about me being fat isn't true, so find any inner strength I have left in me and run as fast as I can. I overtake Cole within seconds and pay no attention to him as if I didn't notice it was him. I feel proud of myself until I trip over a twig lying on the ground. If he sees me he's going to think I am the clumsiest person on Earth. So, I try and push past all thoughts in my head telling me to rest for a minute and any pain in my body and attempt to stand up. My legs buckle underneath and I brace myself for the feeling of the cold concrete hitting my legs but that feeling never comes. As I look up I see Cole standing beside me with his arms wrapped around me holding me up, supporting me until I have control over my body again. "Are you ok?" He says, concern laced through his voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just done a bit too much running I think." I say, clearly lying. My body collapsed from the lack of food but he doesn't need to know that. "Thank you." He lets go of my waist cautiously as if he doesn't trust me to be able to hold myself up. I'm not that fat that my legs can't hold me Cole. "I should probably get going. Thanks again for helping me." I start to run off again but I feel a hand latch onto my wrist. "Wait, you aren't seriously thinking of running again after that fall are you?" "Yeah, I only live like 20 minutes away. I'll be fine." "You shouldn't be running home after your legs collapsed, love. If you want to run I will run with you, make sure you don't fall again." Love? Who even says that any more? "You don't have to. Seriously, I'll be fine." I state simply as I start to run again but am surprised to hear footsteps padding after me. It's nice that he's making sure I get home ok but I don't need him knowing how slow I am because of my lack of fitness.
Just focus Hattie. Push through the pain. I keep repeating this all the way home until we reach my gate. "Thanks for running me home. I can drive you back to yours if you don't want to run all that way?" "No offence but I wouldn't let you drive me home on the best of days, let alone when your legs have just collapsed, probably from running too much" I go silent, uncomfortable. Who is he to dictate how much exercise I should do. "Why were you running all the way to the park anyway?" He asks, giving me that concerened look he had already given me twice today. "I just wanted more of a challenge, I guess." I lie, trying to cover up that I let those girls get to me. "Sorry if this is prying but did what Cadie said to you today upset you?" "No, I run every night. I'm used to Cadie and her morons." Before he can say anything else about my reasons for running, I say "Anyway, should get inside. My parents will be home soon. Thanks again." "That's fine, love. See you later." And with that he runs off. Why does he keep calling me love. We are all British but he just seems to be so extra.
I wander through the front door without even noticing that it was unlocked until I walk into the living room to see my sister lying on the couch on top of a boy, swapping spit. When I walk in he jumps away from her but she just rolls her eyes, gives me a glare and grabs him back so they can continue. Not wanting to burn my eyes, I walk out of the living room and up to my bedroom, locking the door behind me so I don't get disturbed. I change into shorts and a slouchy t-shirt. Looking at the clock, I realise that it's almost midnight. How long was I on that run for? I check my phone for any messages, as if I actually have any friends who who would message me, turn my lamp off and shut my eyes, waiting to drift off to sleep.
