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 think it's time to move into the dining room to eat now." My mother states after 15 minutes of standing around small talking awkwardly. She gestures for everyone to go but as I go to move she stops me. "Go get the food ready." She demands and so instead of following the guests, I walk into the kitchen as if I was a servant, not the daughter of the hosts. I hurriedly heat up the food and bring it through on a tray. If they don't like it mum will kill me. As I am passing everyone their plates I notice the only seat left at the table is next to Cole... this is going to be so awkward. Taking his seat my father announced that we should begin eating. I look down at my plate... 557 calories... surely I can do this. 557 isn't that much. My hands are shaking as I pick up my knife and fork and begin to scoop up some risotto, only a little bit though. As I raise the fork to my mouth every bad comment ever made by Cadie, Harper and even my own mother replays in my head... "You're so fat, Hattie" "If I looked like you I would kill myself" "You'll gain even more weight if you eat that" I chew very slowly and eventually swallow. Every bit of rice weighs heavy in my stomach. Every calorie a failure. Feeling eyes on me I look up and see Cole and Hannah both staring at me with somewhat concerned eyes so I give them a weak smile to signal that I'm fine. Hannah rolls her eyes and joins in on the adults' conversation but Cole keeps his eyes locked on me but I break the eye contact before he says anything. I end up slicing as much as I can on my plate and move it around my plate to make it seem as if I have eaten more.
"Hattie, could you please tidy the plates away dear whilst the rest of us talk in the study?" My mother demands in the form of a question so the guests don't think she is the complete bitch she is. I'm about to reply when Cole interjects "I'll help her." I raise my eyebrows at him. Why does he want to help me? "Oh no, Cole you don't have to." Hannah states as she leans against Cole. Could she be any more desperate? "Oh no it's fine, honestly." He replies as he reaches forward, collecting the plates. I stand there stunned for a couple if minutes until I feel the glares from my mother to help him, so I start piling up the plates on the trolley and push it through to the kitchen sink. "You don't actually have to help me you know." "I know I don't but I wanted to. Does your mum always treat you like that?" I hesitate "Like what?" He sucks in a breath and simply states "Like you're a slave." I don't know how to answer that so just shrug my shoulders and turn back to the washing machine to load the plates as Cole passes them to me. "How are you feeling by the way? You know after Cadie-" "I'm fine. Thanks." I cut him off. I hate people pitying me. "Why did she do that anyway? It seems like she has it out for you." "Well she kind of has ever since we were little. You wouldn't understand unless you were there.... Speaking of, where did you originate from?" I ask to get the attention off me. "Oh I come from London. Near Oxford Street. We lived there for my whole life but I guess my dad wanted a change." He frowns, meaning there is a deeper reason why his family all of a sudden up and left London but I don't press on the subject, I hate it when people are nosy.
We then continue talking about the basic things about each of us until we are done with the dishes. Making our way to our parents, I start to feel dizzy but shake it off before I fall. I glance up to see if Cole noticed but I don't think he did, luckily. "Hey kids, finished with the dishes? Thank you so much Cole for helping Hattie. Sometimes she can be a bit useless." I roll my eyes, of course she is drunk. "Actually she did everything, I was basically useless." Cole shrugs. Why is he defending me? This guy is so confusing. "Anyway I think we should get going now, early morning and all." Cole's father speaks up. Thank God, if they leave I can work off that rice I ate earlier. "Yes ok. Thank you for coming. You are all welcome any time you want to come. Hattie show them out please." I escort them to the door and each one thanks me in turn as I hold the door open for them. When Cole passes I say thank you to him first, making sure he knows I appreciate him standing up for me.
As soon as I slam the door shut, I sprint upstairs to get changed into some work out clothes and end up picking a cropped black Nike jumper and matching leggings. Waiting for my mother's bedroom door to close, I grab some pink trainers and set off down to the gym room. I ate exactly 17 pieces of rice which means I have to run on the treadmill for at least 45 minutes. As I run, the same thing happens, every bad thought about myself disappears but snide comments from my mother replace them. "Hattie, darling, maybe you should start working out more." "Hattie, I'm only saying this to help you." "Hattie, you cannot wear that out. That is atrocious." "Hattie, should you really be eating that?" Round and round like a twister in my brain. My mother's words slice into me as I take one step at a time. They suck the air out of my lungs, reminding me of what I need to be. Perfect. You cannot be less than perfect Hattie. Perfection is the key to happiness. An hour and a half later and I am collapsed on the floor next to the treadmill. My legs are numb, my feet are bruised, my head is pounding. But, hey, at least now I can be skinny, right?
