Maria POV
Maria woke up before the sun, her alarm buzzing insistently at 4 a.m. She rubbed her eyes and swung her legs off the bed, her heart pounding with determination. Today was another day, another chance to work on herself, to push herself closer to the version of her she longed to be.
Without eating, she rolled out her yoga mat and began her routine. Sweat dripped down her face as she pushed through the exercises she had chosen weeks ago, repeating each move with precision. Her muscles ached, her body protested, but Maria refused to give in. She wanted to be slimmer, fitter, better… someone who could finally look in the mirror without cringing.
"Maria… you need to eat something," her mother, Mrs. Sarah, called softly from the doorway. Her eyes were filled with concern.
Maria shook her head without looking up. "I'm fine, Mom. I just… I need to do this."
Mrs. Sarah sighed, watching her daughter struggle so much. This had been going on for months now—Maria waking up at ungodly hours, refusing proper meals, pushing herself relentlessly. Yet, despite the effort, Mrs. Sarah hadn't seen any major changes in Maria's body. Still, she couldn't bring herself to stop her.
"I just… I don't understand why you're so obsessed with this," Mrs. Sarah said gently. "You're healthy. You're beautiful the way you are. Why torture yourself?"
Maria's chest tightened. She didn't have the words to explain the gnawing ache inside her—the constant bullying, the whispers, the cruel stares, the feeling of invisibility. She only knew that this pain, this effort, might be the only way she could change her life.
"I… I just need to be better, Mom," she whispered, almost to herself. "I need to be someone people notice… someone people respect."
Mrs. Sarah shook her head but didn't argue. She only sighed and stepped back, giving Maria the space she needed, even if it broke her heart a little.
After finishing her rigorous workout, Maria wiped the sweat from her forehead and headed to the shower. She dressed meticulously in her school uniform, making sure every strand of hair, every crease of her blouse, looked perfect. She knew that by the time she arrived at school, the whispers would start, the cruel jokes would fly, and her body and appearance would once again be on display for judgment.
But she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She would face it. She had no choice. Every day was a battle, and Maria was determined not to let them see her crumble—not this time.
As she stepped out of her room with her bag slung over her shoulder, Maria took a deep breath. Today would be tough, she knew. Rachel, Mimi, Freda, and all the others would be waiting to tear her down. But she had a plan. She had discipline. She had determination. And for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself a tiny spark of hope that one day, someone might see her for more than her size and appearance.
Maria stepped onto the school grounds, the morning sun casting long shadows across the bustling campus. Her heart pounded, not from her workout, but from the familiar anxiety that came with entering Fabulous High School. Whispers and giggles followed her as she walked, but she kept her head high. She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing her falter.
Becky caught up to her at the gate, giving her a reassuring smile. "Ready for another day?" she asked.
Maria forced a small smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The hallways were already alive with chatter, laughter, and the usual chaos. Rachel and her clique were standing near the lockers, whispering and pointing. Maria's stomach tightened, but she reminded herself to breathe. Today wasn't going to be easy.
Soon, the announcement came over the PA system. The school running competition was happening tomorrow, and students were being paired into teams. Maria's stomach flipped. This was it—the event everyone had been talking about.
The teacher started calling out the teams. Maria felt her heart skip as the names were read.
Rachel was paired with Joe and two other students, forming the school's feared team.
Becky was paired with Mimi and two others, making a team Maria trusted.
Freda was paired with three other students.
And… Maria's heart sank when she heard hers: paired with Bryan and two other students.
Her lips pressed into a tight line. Of all people… Bryan.
Bryan, on the other hand, looked horrified. His perfectly groomed hair, crisp uniform, and ego all made him freeze in place. "What?! I'm paired with… a pig?!" he whispered, glaring at Maria with mock disbelief.
Maria's cheeks burned, but she forced herself to ignore him. She had to. She wasn't here to argue.
The two other students on their team snickered quietly. "Great… we're doomed," one muttered. "She's going to make us lose."
Bryan rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. "How is she even going to run on that day? This is a lose game for my group… and I don't mean just losing… I mean humiliatingly losing."
Maria clenched her fists, biting back her own frustration. The whispers, the stares, the laughter—they had followed her all the way to this moment. But she would prove them wrong. She wouldn't fail, no matter what Bryan thought.
As the rest of the students were paired up, the tension in the air grew. Rachel smirked at Maria from across the hall, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Good luck tomorrow, chubby," she called softly, loud enough for Maria to hear.
Maria ignored her, focusing instead on Becky's encouraging nod from her own team. She drew in a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves and the familiar knot of anxiety in her chest.
Bryan kept shooting her disgusted glances, muttering under his breath and rolling his eyes. Maria's two teammates tried to act casual, but she could hear their whispered complaints: "She's going to ruin everything…"
Maria squared her shoulders. Tomorrow, they would see something different. Maybe she wasn't thin, maybe she wasn't what everyone considered pretty—but she had determination, and that could count for more than any cruel comment or mocking whisper.
And though Bryan hated it, Maria couldn't help but feel a small flicker of defiance. If she could just last through tomorrow… if she could just prove that she wasn't worthless in the eyes of others… maybe, just maybe, she could start changing the way they all saw her.
Classes finally ended, and Maria felt a small wave of relief. The hours had been long, filled with whispers, stares, and the occasional snide remark, but now she could take a breather.
Becky appeared at her desk, holding out her hand with that confident smile Maria loved so much. "Come on, Maria. Let's grab something for break," she said.
Maria's heart lifted. Becky always had a way of making her feel safe, even in the midst of chaos. She took her hand, and together, they walked toward the cafeteria, chatting quietly and laughing at little things that happened during class.
On their way back with snacks, Maria felt a sudden jolt—they bumped into Bryan and Joe.
Bryan's eyes widened in mock shock. "Watch where you're going, pig," he spat, emphasizing the word in a way that made Maria's cheeks flush.
Joe, standing slightly behind him, backed Bryan up, though his gaze flickered toward Becky. His eyes lingered a little too long, assessing her slim figure, her confident posture. Maria noticed, but Becky didn't even flinch. She stayed composed, walking right in front of Maria, blocking Joe's gaze completely.
Then Becky opened her mouth.
"Well, if it isn't Bryan, the school's mighty prince," she said, her tone dripping with sarcastic sweetness. "Tell me, do you practice being rude in the mirror every morning, or does it come naturally?"
Maria blinked in shock, never knowing Becky had such a sharp tongue. Her lips twitched as a laugh escaped, soft at first, then louder as Becky continued.
"Honestly, for someone so obsessed with himself, I'm amazed at your ability to insult people smaller than your ego," Becky added, her hands on her hips. "And Joe… must you always follow him around like a lost puppy? Some of us have manners, you know."
Maria couldn't hold back a full laugh now, tears of amusement forming at the corners of her eyes. Bryan's jaw dropped, eyes widening as he tried to find words, but none came. Becky didn't stop.
"Maybe next time, try keeping your insults to yourself," she said, her voice calm but deadly. "Or at least learn to insult people without looking like a fool. Oh wait… too late for that, isn't it?"
Bryan opened his mouth, but no words came. Joe shifted uncomfortably, and Maria felt a rush of joy fill her chest. Becky had stood up for her—right there in front of Bryan, without hesitation, without fear.
With a swift motion, Becky gave Maria's hand a squeeze and then gently but firmly pushed Joe out of the way with her other hand, shooting him a glare that said, don't even think about it.
Maria followed suit, her heart pounding with happiness and pride. For the first time, someone had defended her openly, even against Bryan. And the way Becky had hit Bryan's chest lightly—enough to assert dominance without aggression—made Maria's chest swell with gratitude and admiration.
"Thank you, Becky," Maria whispered, her eyes shining.
Becky smirked, her usual playful confidence returning. "Don't mention it. Let's get to class before the mighty prince and his lackey recover from their shock."
Maria laughed again, walking beside her best friend, feeling lighter, braver, and somehow… a little more ready to face the world, no matter how cruel it could be.