Chapter 4: Alone at School

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see Jason again that day. And I never got the chance to apologize.

The next few periods were a blur. I kept waiting for Jason’s face to appear at the door, hoping he’d offer some kind of explanation, but the seat next to me stayed empty.

Because the next morning during homeroom, his friend came to move his desk and change his seat.

The scraping sound made me look up. Jason’s friend—Ethan, I think—looked uncomfortable, as if he wanted to apologize but didn’t know how.

The boy gave me an awkward smile.

He shifted from foot to foot, avoiding my gaze. It was like watching someone try to break bad news to a stranger.

"Uh, Jason said he felt sick yesterday and is taking three days off. I'm just helping him change seats..."

His voice trailed off, and I could tell he didn’t want to be the one stuck with this job. My heart dropped anyway.

After saying this, he seemed to realize something, met my numb gaze, and quickly added, "It's not because of you. Don't overthink it."

He forced a little laugh, but his eyes darted away. Even the lie sounded thin.

I blinked back tears, unable to say how sad I was.

The room felt too bright, my body too heavy. I kept my hands folded in my lap, trying not to cry. If I started, I wouldn’t stop.

Why is it that just because I eat half a plate more than others, or take an extra chicken wing, I have to be hated?

It wasn’t fair. I loved food—so what? That shouldn’t make me unlovable.

I looked down at my chubby hands, the flesh pressing against itself, and decided I would never dream of being a princess again.

I traced the lines in my palm, thinking of all the fairy tales I’d outgrown. Maybe the glass slipper was never meant for girls like me.