When Karma Comes Knocking: Sticks and Stones May Break Her Bones, but Words Will Get You Killed

By Priscille Myrthil

As an overweight child, Vanessa Hannah Hatty was always teased for her plus-size figure, and because of that, she wasnt much of a social butterfly. With only Paige Jackson as a friend, she couldnt help but worship the ground she walked on. She was Vanessas idol, but it turned out that Paige wasnt exactly the best friend Vanessa pitched her to be. Being bullied and teased by her peers was what Vanessa was used to, but nothing could prepare her for when Paige completely destroyed her. Vanessas mother, deeming the environment unsafe for her little girl, enrolled her into charter school. Three years passed and Vanessa was back in Mayville, and she was not the same Fatty Hatty. She was different both mentally and physicallyto a point where she was unrecognizable.

When Vanessa was suddenly invited into Paiges glorified clique of friends, Vanessa realized that unlike her, everything was still the same. No one seemed to be burdened by the fact that they ruined a poor girls life and put her through so much. But not for long. Like a wolf in sheepskin, she would strike when they least expected it, proving sticks and stones may break her bones, but words will get you killed. And it didnt just stop at Paige. The list expanded from the group of girls by her side to every single person who had done her wrong as Fatty Hatty. But is revenge really the right way to go, especially when karma is already involved? Messing with the balance of high school could lead to very bloody consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524576639

Priscille Myrthil

Priscille Myrthil has been writing since she was 10 years old. Born in Haiti 1998, she has a passion for not only literature, but also art and neuroscience. She started out her writing journey very young on an interactive writing website called Wattpad under the alias of FreeHugs4FiveDollars. She has written over thirty other unfinished work and When Karma Comes Knocking is her first completed novel, which she hopes to share with new and old readers alike.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Priscille Myrthil.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017900622

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5245-7661-5

                Softcover        978-1-5245-7662-2

                eBook             978-1-5245-7663-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 01/16/2017

Xlibris

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Contents

Chapter 1 What Comes Around

Chapter 2 History Repeats Itself

Chapter 3 Jase Castler

Chapter 4 Dinner Invite

Chapter 5 Maybe

Chapter 6 Maybe Not

Chapter 7 Definitely Not Chase

Chapter 8 Firefly Boy

Chapter 9 I Beg To Differ

Chapter 10 In Enemy Territory

Chapter 11 Double Duo

Chapter 12 Pleasure To Meet You

Chapter 13 Turning the other Cheek

Chapter 14 Don’t Talk to Harry Pukes

Chapter 15 Je Ne Sais Pas

Chapter 16 Queen Bee

Chapter 17 Have I seen you around before?

Chapter 18 Thanks, but no Thanks

Chapter 19 The 411

Chapter 20 Better and Better

Chapter 21 Social Suicide

Chapter 22 Partners

Chapter 23 Dug My Own Grave

Chapter 24 Those Girls are V-I-C-I-O-U-S

Chapter 25 Sophie Gonzalez Loved to have the Last Word

Chapter 26 Courtney, The On and Off Chatterbox

Chapter 27 Nancy Fendell

Chapter 28 Pizza Delivery Guy

Chapter 29 Pandora’s Box

Chapter 30 The Story of Fatty Hatty

Chapter 31 The In Crowd

Chapter 32 Our New Sophie

Chapter 33 The Sleepover

Chapter 34 Popsicle Reloaded

Chapter 35 Mall Crawl

Chapter 36 I Scratch Your Back, You Scratch Mine

Chapter 37 Progress

Chapter 38 Hidden Agendas

Chapter 39 Operation Snake

Chapter 40 Debbie, The Falling Star

Chapter 41 Queen Bee has Spoken

Chapter 42 The Promise

Chapter 43 New Queen

Chapter 44 True Friend

Chapter 45 Two-Faced

Chapter 46 Paiging Dr. Phil

Chapter 47 Evanstar Crest under the Stars

Chapter 48 A Girl On A Mission

Chapter 49 All Glammed Up

Chapter 50 Flamingo Pig Princess

Chapter 51 Hair

Chapter 52 Another Girl

Chapter 53 A Kiss in the Darkness

Chapter 54 Who You Think You Are

Chapter 55 Like a Horrible Movie

Chapter 56 Regret

Chapter 57 Call Me Vanessa

Chapter 58 Don’t Call Me Fatty Hatty

Chapter 59 Goes Around

This book is

dedicated to my parents, Jean and Juline; my brother, Sean; my readers from Wattpad; and the team that helped make this dream reality. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.

CHAPTER 1

WHAT COMES AROUND

It’s funny how your world could crumble, and no one would notice. You could be enduring the hardest struggle of your life, and not one soul would be able to notice that or care enough to notice. I guess it could be said that I was lucky. Someone noticed. But the only difference it made was a change in scenery. No one picked up the broken pieces, and I acted like there were none. That’s probably why my mom thought it was a great idea to bring me back. Little did she know that was possibly the worst thing to ever do.

I was only fourteen when it first happened; and you could imagine my surprise, my horror, actually, to find out that my best friend was really my worst enemy.

I reached up on my tiptoes and dragged my hand over my high shelf, collecting the small knickknacks and a couple of books. I threw each into the cardboard box in a neat position. I walked over to my other shelf and did the same, clearing them of my belongings. I thought I had them all until my hand hit a ruffle-like piece of paper. Furrowing my eyebrows together in confusion, I grabbed onto it and pulled the unknown item out. As soon as I realized what it was, I stared at the old invitation between my fingers:

It’s a party at Paige’s House! In celebration of crowning The Flamingo Pig.

Be sure to arrive at 7:30, 78 Hillside Pl.

My throat felt tight and itchy, and I fought back the prickly feeling in my eyes when I finally looked away from the tattered paper. I hadn’t realized I still had it, and I paused before deciding on what to do.

I should’ve thrown it away. But I didn’t.

I couldn’t. I kept the pain in my pocket. There was a small curl forming on my lips, and I knew this was just what O’Sullivan advised against. She said I’ve become obsessed with it, but she also said I’ve become a lot of things.

I lowered the cardboard box to the floorboards before paddling to the big leather trunk. Actually, it was a wooden trunk that my grandma gave my mother when she was younger. My mother gave it to me, which was why it was in my poor custody. This chest was to hold precious moments of my childhood, my little tutus and tiaras; instead, they held things of a different nature. In there were venomous and rancorous little love notes my peers had written about me and to me in school. There were also pictures, journals, and diet magazines. These were all the things my therapist strongly advised I get rid of, which was very contradicting because earlier, she had told me to keep them on one place. I kept it anyway, right here in this chest.

I dropped to my knees in front of the carved box and smoothed my hands over the rough surface. I hadn’t opened this in such a long time really I could see strings of dust and webbing on the handles. I reached out and touched the rusty lock that securely held the trunk closed. With a deep sigh, I let my fingers run across the corroded metal of the lock. The lock was old and dusty from years of not being used, and luckily for me, I had previously tapped the key to the back of it. I gripped the lock tightly and twisted the key further into the hole before pulling it out with a click from the lock. The hatch broke open, and I pulled the clasp from the hole. Outside the chest was old and beat up, but inside was a caricature of another kind. It was fresh and untouched. Everything looked the same as it did three years ago—un-aged.

*   *   *

I walked down the hall, excited of the news Paige had told me. I was so grateful to have a friend as great as Paige. She was so nice to me at the time, and the fact that she was so pretty and had an even kinder heart made me feel important. Everyone liked her, so in turn, it sort of felt like everyone liked me too. She was so pretty and thin unlike me. I was fat and ugly. No one liked me, no one except Paige; and for that, she was my best friend. She stuck with me through thick and thin, and this Saturday, Paige was having a party, and I was actually invited this time. This celebration was different in many ways; for one, this one was for me!

As if things couldn’t get any better, Jase Castler had a crush on me. Yes, Jase Castler! I could hardly believe it myself, but it was true, and it was all thanks to Paige, my best friend.

*   *   *

Vanessa, are you ready? The moving truck is here! I heard my mother holler from downstairs, snapping me out of my thoughts. I lifted my head from the box and looked outside the window. The moving truck seemed to be glaring at me through my room.

"Yeah, Mom! I’m . . . just getting a few things… ," I called back, closing the vault and gripping it by the handle.

I got up and, with the box under one arm and the chest curled in another, dragged both out the room that was no longer mine and out the house that also was no longer ours. Next stop: Mayville.

CHAPTER 2

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

I was sitting in the passenger seat as I stared out the window. The outside surroundings passed by with each object looking like a mere blur. It seemed as if we were speeding, which we obviously weren’t. We were going possibly twenty-five below the speed limit. I meant the truck was going so slow I thought an old lady just passed us.

Every now and again, my mother would give me a quick glance. I knew she was worried and all, but it was getting rather annoying. Yes, I was going back to a town where I was bullied into anti-socialism and teased to the greater extent, but just because they hit me hard doesn’t mean I had to stay down right. I was a lot smarter than I had been those years back. So that meant I wouldn’t let them get to me this time.

Vanessa, my mother called. I glanced up at her but then turned my eyes back on the windows, not exactly seeing the reason. Vanessa… , she called again, but I continued to ignore it. After a few minutes, she sighed. Seeing that I wasn’t going to respond, she tried a new tactic: a new name.

Hannah.

Yes… , I responded, and she nodded.

So… how do you feel?

I raised an eyebrow. Seriously, Mom? I began. "How do you feel? I mocked. I’m actually quite psyched to go back to a school that’s bullied me since day 1… Woo-hoo! I’m EXCITED!" Note the sarcasm.

My mother rolled her eyes and smacked her lips together, making a click sound. No need for that tone, young lady. It was just a question… I sighed in return. Hannah, just remember you’re bigger than they are… Be the bigger person, she reminded me. I looked at her.

"Yes… be the bigger person. I’ve always been the bigger person… That’s why people made fun of me," I muttered as I stared down at my feet.

I heard my mother sigh. I didn’t mean it like that, sweetie. There was sadness in her tone that always made me regret my words in the end. I looked up at her and gave her a halfhearted smile.

I know, Mom, I know, and it doesn’t matter to me anymore. I’ve gotten over it… , I told her and shrugged.

I turned to the window now and began watching the buildings flash by. Just down the road, I spotted a traffic light that seemed to have been stuck on red for a while, seeing how there was an extending row of cars in front of us. I sighed and propped my elbow on the door and just watched the world live on through my car window. Out of the sea of people walking up and down the sidewalk, one person against the current caught my eye. It was a little girl. She reminded me of myself when I was younger—she was fat. She was running with another girl; she was skinnier compared to her, much skinnier. She had two long pigtails and a big pink bow on the top of her head. While this girl had reddish-brown hair, the other had blond. They seemed to be running together or playing. But it was easy to see that the other kids who were in front of them were laughing at the girl with the darker hair. But she didn’t seem to notice. I winced inwardly at how familiar this scene was.

*   *   *

I was sitting on the bench in recess, all alone again. Paige was playing with the other second-graders. I wanted to go play, but then Sophia Gonzalez pushed me down and told me I wasn’t allowed since none of them wanted me on their team; I would slow them down. I cried and went to go tell the teacher, but Paige had stopped me and told me she dealt with it. Later, she had made Sophie apologize to me. It really wasn’t a great apology, but I was glad because Paige did that for me. She had told me I should just sit and stay all the way over here so I don’t get hurt again. I smiled.

Paige was such a great friend . . .

Hey! I heard someone call. I ignored it and continued to stare at the ground. Hey! What are ya, deaf or sumthin’? I’m talkin’ to you! I looked up, confused. Who could it have been?

It was Sophie . . .

At that realization, I looked back down at the ground. No… I’m not deaf… , I whispered.

She rolled her hazel eyes. Okay, whatever. So I said sorry. Now do you wanna play with us? We’re playing tag, she said, looking at the other kids who were standing a few feet away.

My lips curved into a smile. Ya mean it? I asked her. Sophie rolled her eyes again and moved a piece of her curly hair from her face.

Yeah sure, whatever… She sighed and twirled around, walking the other direction, toward the small group of kids. One person I spotted out of that whole crowd was Paige. She stood there in the middle, and as much as I was trying to get her to look back at me, she was avoiding eye contact. My smile crumbled. Why was she doing that?

Are ya coming or what? Sophie shouted, startling me in the process. I nodded before jumping off the bench and running to the group.

Okay, we’re playing tag, another girl, Sabrina Ryan, announced. I nodded.

You’re it! And with that, everyone scattered, running away from me. I frowned, but then I reminded myself that it was just a game. They were actually running with me. But a voice never ceased to tell me that they were running away, hoping not to get the Hatty disease.

*   *   *

I sighed; it brought back bad memories. I looked away just as the car began moving again. It seemed that history never failed to repeat itself.

CHAPTER 3

JASE CASTLER

When the car stopped at its final destination, I wasn’t sure if I was relieved to be out of that car or regretting ever stepping in. Even back in my hometown, I still didn’t feel at home but instead estranged. I sighed, and I looked up at the house in front of me. There it was, standing all mighty tall and blue. It was… average. Down the street, I could see the moving truck coming up the road before it parked right behind my mother’s car. The doors opened up, and out came a group of men, all somewhere in their late thirties or something relevantly close to that. There were four or five of them. One man walked over to the back of the truck and opened the large door, causing it to make a great noise as it slammed open. I watched as the other four walked over and started grabbing furniture and walking toward the house. I stepped aside so they would have more room. They made it seem like it was easy carrying around those heavy things, especially the large carpet, which I nearly collapsed under when I tried lifting it. I looked over at the garage that stood beside the picket fence, which was the entrance to the backyard. I stared at it for a moment before deciding to go investigate around the house. I walked over the lawn and past the workingmen.

Van—I mean, Hannah, where are you going? I heard my mother shout.

I’m just going to the backyard… , I answered once I reached the fence and unhooked the latch.

The backyard was pretty big. On one side, there was what seemed like a flower garden that needed watering; and on the other side, there was a swing set and a small slide. The slide was surely too small for me; it had to have been built for a seven-year-old. It was sort of sad to see this, all the projects of an ex-owner abandoned in this little lot.

Oh my gosh! Hi!

The voice was unexpected and startled me upon hearing it. Quickly, I looked around to find a girl with a wide, gap-toothed grin. I made a face.

What on earth was this little girl doing in my backyard?

You lost? I questioned. I meant little girls in the middle of nowhere were never good signs.

The girl started laughing.

I didn’t mean to scare ya earlier! My name’s Bonnie! She looked about eight or nine.

Oh… um, hi, I greeted. Where are your parents?

What’s your name? Bonnie had light-brown hair and big emerald-green eyes; she wasn’t an ugly girl but relatively cute, especially with her rosy cheeks. They were something I was sure someone like my mother would want to pinch.

Well, my name is Hannah, I told her.

Her eyes lit up. I LOVE YOUR NAME! I wish my name was Hammah! Bonnie beamed.

I pulled a smile on for her sake. I wasn’t sure how to do this; I’ve never really talked to anyone younger than thirteen before. No, I began. My name is Hannah, not Hammah, I corrected.

Her smile faltered a bit. Isn’t that what I said, Hammah? she repeated as she looked up at my five feet six inches figure. I sighed before finally deciding to let it go. She seemed to have some kind of lisp in her speech before anyway.

Never mind, you did say it right. I think I must’ve heard you wrong.

So, Hammah, how old are you? I’m eight! she announced, still pronouncing my name incorrectly by the way.

Well, Bonnie, I’m seventeen, I told her as I bent down to her level and pressed my palms to my knees. So, uh… what are you doing here? This is my backyard after all. Bonnie slumped her shoulders, and for a while, I noticed her zestfulness dwindling. She lifted her arm and pointed to the fence.

I went through there. I was going to play with Isabella, but she moved. Now I have no one to play with. I shuffled my feet awkwardly. The girl looked sad, sure, but I didn’t know how to cheer her up. When I was a kid, I always wanted a friend to play with, but I almost never did. That was because I was fat and ugly. This girl was not, and she would be classified as adorable in any book, so I didn’t see what she was sad about. She could easily go find someone else to play with.

Don’t you have any brothers or sisters?

Bonnie tilted her head up and nodded. Yes, three. Jase and Chase, but they don’t wanna play with me because they’re too old. An’ Joshua iz too little. Then her green-colored eyes brightened and lifted from the ground to me. I narrowed my eyes at her now; she wasn’t expecting me to say something, was she?

Will you—

So not happening.

No! I can’t. I broke through curtly. I just realized I had a ton of things to do… I don’t think I could play with you now… I shook my head.

Bonnie frowned, but in just that short second, her smile reappeared. What about after? Can we— I shook my head.

Yeah, I don’t think so… I don’t think I’ll ever be done… ever, I replied briskly.

It all happened as if being one whole reaction. Bonnie’s smile crumbled completely, her shoulder slumped, and her head bowed. Oh… okay… , she uttered dolefully, and she looked like she was about to cry. I couldn’t stop the waves of guilt that hit me soon after.

Actually, wait! I waved both my hands and grinned nervously. I have some time, and we can play… later. I didn’t want her to cry. But right now, I think your parents might be looking for you… Where do you even live?

The girl lifted her pointer finger and directed me to the bigger house next to mine. Oh great, we’re neighbors.

I looked over at it with squinted eyes Oh, so you’re not that far, but ya know, you shouldn’t be walking around by yourself. That’s unsafe. I bet someone is looking for you right now—

Bon-Bon! It was almost as if on cue. Bonnie! Where are you?

The new voice seemed close by.

"See, I was right… Someone is looking for you . . ."

Yeah, bu ion wanna be found. I’m not supposed ta be ’ere! she shouted in her full lisp, nearly making it impossible for me to understand.

I knitted my eyebrows together. Huh?

Bonnie… ? I turned around. The voice sounded in my backyard now. And it indeed was. Standing right behind me was a boy. He was taller than me but by just a couple inches. He had come through the same loose wooden fence piece that Bonnie had. He had jet-black hair and lightening blue eyes, and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized, not by his looks but by the shocking familiarity.

Hey. He offered me a lopsided grin, and I narrowed my eyes at him. Bonnie tugged at my arm from behind me.

That’s my brother, she whispered.

The boy frowned at Bonnie.

Bonnie, you know what Mom says about wondering around by yourself. And now you made me have to go through this fence. It’s not right, Bon-Bon, he scolded.

I’m sorry… , she apologized, and her brother sighed before turning his attention back to me. He looked so familiar… just like . . .

Well, sorry for my sister. She used to come around here and play with the old neighbor’s daughter, but they moved. Anyway, I’m Jase, Jase Castler.

CHAPTER 4

DINNER INVITE

It was him.

I couldn’t believe it. It was him, the one who helped ruin my life with Paige by his side. Of course, I had to move next to this jerk. The memories started flowing back and all the emotion I held deep inside me, the ones I’ve kept bubbling—anger, sadness, and betrayal. It all came together in one swoop of my hand as I pulled it back and slapped him across the face. He staggered back and fell on the grass with his hand cradling his cheek. I knew it would leave a mark, especially with the metallic ring on my forefinger. When I saw him go down, I stared for a moment. I wasn’t sure what perplexed me to do something like that; but I got a little scared, turned on my heels, and ran back inside. I felt my heart racing and my chest collapsing. There was that tight choking feeling crawling its way up my throat, and I knew that I had to try to stop it.

*   *   *

He looked at me with a soft smile, his beautiful blue eyes lighting up the whole room as I walked through the large crowd. I thought he really did like me at the time… I waved at him shyly. Jase Castler was the most popular guy in school. All the teachers and students liked him, and he was cool and handsome. He had it all, just like Paige, who was very unlike me, Vanessa Hatty. But for some reason, he chose me! In a way, that must’ve made me just like Paige… right? Maybe I really was special. I couldn’t help it that my cheeks burned in happiness. I walked up to Jase and smiled.

Hi… , I said bashfully. He nodded and smiled crookedly.

Hey. His eyes seemed to snap from me, to behind me, and back to me again. I turned my head to see what it was, but all I saw was a crowd of people. It could’ve been anyone. I looked back at Jase and smiled, but he didn’t return it until seconds later. I shrugged it off, thinking it was nothing. I was just too happy that he liked me. I was too happy to even think of the odds, the outcomes, the possibilities. I was just happy. And I was here with a dress Paige had gotten me at her party. And no one was making fun of me. This was just the best night ever. Speaking of her, there she was!

Paige walked toward us, swinging her hips slightly, and I momentarily felt jealous of her slim figure. She could’ve easily snatched up Jase just here and now, but I knew she wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. She was my friend. Paige walked over to Jase and mouthed something to him. He nodded in response. Looking pleased, Paige smiled smugly and walked away. But I brushed off how weird it made me feel. She was my best friend. She wouldn’t have done anything to hurt me. I smiled slightly and looked at Jase. I furrowed my eyebrows when I noticed he was still staring after Paige.

Jase… ? I questioned. He snapped his head back to me curiously but then laughed.

Ha, sorry, what were we talking about? I shrugged. We weren’t really talking about anything to be honest. You look… really… um, beautiful. He trailed off, causing a great big grin to make way on my face. He didn’t mean it, and he couldn’t have… I was nowhere near beautiful. No had ever said that to me, except my mother, but she loved me regardless.

Really? I asked, hope glistening in my eyes.

Yeah sure, why not… I looked up at him and grinned, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking forward, over me; shaking his head; and making a face. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned to see what he was looking at. But no one was there, just a crowd of random people. I looked back at Jase confusingly.

What were you looking at? I questioned with furrowed brows, and he shook his head to calm my suspicion, offering me a smile in return.

Nothing… , he replied quickly. A moment passed, and it was silent again.

He leaned down hesitantly, and before I knew it, he pressed his lips on my cheek. My heart began to swell, and it was officially the best moment of my life

Or so I thought.

*   *   *

I walked further into the house and went upstairs. I didn’t know where I was going. But it didn’t matter. The memories still followed. I walked into what seemed like a closet and closed the door. The wardrobe was dark, but I managed to find my way to the wall and sat against it. I tried taking a few deep breaths to calm myself. Why did my life have to be so messed up?

I’d never done anything wrong, had I?

I’d never been a bad girl, lied, cheated. Heck, I’d never even done anything remotely bad. But it seemed the universe didn’t agree with me. I used to be a fat girl, round and plump, which resulted to many years of bullying. The teachers even had the mind to turn the other cheek and pretend that they didn’t see what those kids did. It was terrible… but what kept me going was my best friend, Paige. She kept me going. I looked up at her, even worshipped the ground she walked on. She stood up for me, or so I thought, before learning that instead, she stood against me.

I kept telling myself that it was three years ago and that I should have been over it. I even had to go to therapy for two years, two whole years. Even so, I found it hard to have a simple friendship with anyone. Back in my old school, Charlotte’s Cove, many people wanted to be my friend. I was the new girl, and they were all too nice. I found it strange and unnerving. Had I been as fat and ugly, would they have reacted the same? I turned them away. I pushed everyone away, even my own mother.

It was all because of her. Because of her, I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. Because of her, I felt as if everyone was out to get me, as if everyone was two-faced. Because of her, I felt fat in everything I wore. Now here I was, back in my hometown, back in Mayville, where the girl who ruined my life at the age of fourteen lived. But I’m prettier, skinnier, and smarter now. They could see that, right? I mean, I did do this all for them. It—

Honey? It was my mom.

I looked up quickly, a bit startled from her sudden appearance. Oh, yes, Mom? I questioned as I pulled myself from the ground and pushed the door further. Stepping out and closing it behind me, I looked up at my mom with raised eyebrows.

Hannah, honey, why were you in the closet? she asked with worry laced in her voice. I looked behind me to see that I was indeed in front of the closet. I was a little confused. I didn’t quite remember how I got there. But I couldn’t let my mom know how badly this move was already affecting me.

Oh, I said, waving my hand back and forth, nothing. I said it simply as I turned around and walked down the hall.

Oh, and I have some news!

I stopped in my tracks. What is it?

The neighbors have invited us to have dinner with them tomorrow. Isn’t that great? Already making new friends! Dinner? With the neighbors?

Which one?

The Castlers. And they have kids your age! I pursed my lips together at her words. My mother did know I was bullied but never by whom. So of course, she wouldn’t understand my reaction to the Castlers.

I forced a smile. That’s great, Mom, I told her.

I’m gunna go unpack some of our things. You should go unpack your clothes now.

I nodded. ’Kay, Mom, I chirped as she walked past me. Once I was absolutely sure she was in the other room, my smile crumbled, and I sighed. How great, a dinner invite to the Castlers.

CHAPTER 5

MAYBE

I sighed as I looked at the clothes my mother so happily laid out on the bed. I hated all of them; they were too girly and frilly, which was not something that suited me at all. I looked up at my mom. She had a giddy smile on her face.

Mom—she waited for me to continue—why don’t you get ready? I’ll just pick one and put it on.

She rolled her eyes. Okay, but I’ll be back! She smiled as she took her two fingers and waved them between her eyes and me. I smiled.

Okay.

I let out a huff of air once I was sure she was gone. There was no way I was putting any of those dresses on. I turned and walked to my closet. There was a dress there I had in mind. It was a simple dress, black spaghetti straps with a white chest cover design. I draped it on my bed before grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom. I took a nice and long shower. I kept my hair in a high bun, for I didn’t want to have to wet or wash it.

Once I stepped out of the shower, the first thing I did was look in the mirror. A girl with brown hair stared back at me. I furrowed my brows, narrowed my eyes, and stared hard at the reflecting mirror. I titled my head to the side. I couldn’t lie I was a pretty girl now, but I’d been told after my transformation I became the complete opposite of my old self. I went from fat to skinny, blonde to brunette, ugly to pretty, and nice and bubbly to insecure and shallow. This was all what O’Sullivan told me, but in all honesty, I didn’t pay her any mind. After some more reflecting, I decided it was time to get dressed.

Hey, sweetie— my mom began, opening the door to see the outfit I picked out. You don’t like the other clothes I picked out? She pouted, and I shrugged.

Sorry, I liked this one better, I replied, and she sighed.

"It’s okay, but you look twice as much beautiful in that dress anyway. Why? Because you like it."

Thanks, Mom. I gave her a stretched smile.

All right, now why don’t I finish getting ready? She grinned and walked out of my room. All that time and she still wasn’t ready? That was my mom for you . . .

*   *   *

We stood at the door, my mother jittering slightly with excitement as she rang the bell. A moment passed, and the door was opened, revealing a boy with jet-black hair and light-green eyes; he seemed around my age if not a bit older. He shared a striking resemblance to Jase Castler, and I momentarily wondered if they were brothers or possibly cousins.

I let my eyes wander; he wore black casual jeans and a messy dress shirt, his hair slightly combed back and possibly gelled.

Hello, my mother greeted.

Hi, I’m Chase, Chase Castler, and you guys must be our neighbors we’ve invited for dinner. He spoke with an accent, and I found myself wondering if he was from around here. He flashed his bright teeth and