Rise Above Rejection

5

5

Carolyn's POV

"Have you seen your size?" She literally scowled. "You've grown so big lately. You would've done nothing but slow us down. Not to mention, your sister isn't comfortable being around you in public. She wishes to go to a fashion and modelling college and pursue a career in modelling. Just imagine the criticism she'd receive if she was seen with you in the mall."

"Besides, you spent all of your summer vacation in your room. So we just thought you wouldn't want to come." She lifted a single shoulder to shrug carelessly.

I scoffed lightly. A subtle one so she wouldn't see. Mom doesn't attack me physically like my father or sister, but her words can hurt like venom in veins.

But seriously, how could she just 'think' that I wouldn't have wanted to go. Maybe she should've asked me for it. Maybe I wanted to go. Maybe wanting to go out with my family is what I've wanted for a long while.

People hate me for my fatness because they hate it. Maybe if they were a little acceptable, the others would accept me too.

Dad's voice spilled downstairs calling for mom.

"Coming, honey." She replied before turning to me. "Your dress is in my bedroom. Come down. I'll help you get ready."

I stood in my room, thinking about her words. What's the use of going down now. I'm sure I'd still be ignored. Yet a part of me compelled me to go to mom's room.

I wanted to see the dress she bought for me. And she said that she'll dress me up... That's something she's never done again. Therefore, I quickly exited my room and ran towards the staircase.

I came to her room and saw her spreading out a beautiful pink dress. It was large. Quite large as if it wouldn't fit me either. But it was beautiful with shimmery pink fabric and frails at the bottom. The sleeves were short and frailed too.

"Do you like it?" Mom asked.

I looked up with a genuine smile, "I-it's pretty. Is this r-really for me?"

"It is custom-made for you. My birthday present for you." Mom gave a very small but warm smile and my eyes watered.

"Oh, mom," I rushed towards her and put my arms around her.

She gasped because she was sandwiched between my arms like a hotdog in the bun.

"God, you're suffocating me. Let go quickly. And you stink! Didn't you take a bath today?" She scrunched her nose.

It didn't hurt me though. The fact that she bought me a dress was exciting enough.

I quickly took a bath in her and dad's room and put the dress on. Unfortunately, it was still tight. Mom was struggling with the zip. In the end it broke and mom let out an enraged howl.

"Damn it! Why do you have to be so bloody huge?! This was a tailored dress. What do I do now?" My happiness morphed into pain again.

But mom saw it and cursed under her breath. Then she came to me with a needle and thread. She stitched it up and styled my hair to keep it down. She did some light makeup for me to hide my pimples and even straightened my hair.

The final look was less repulsive.

"What do you think, mom?" I asked her. I've seen Adelyn do that and she always showered her with flattering comments.

She opened her mouth but, "Mom! Mom, I'm home. Come look at me."

Adelyn's voice boomed outside in the hall. Mom immediately whirled around and sped out of the room while I stood there, my heart slowing down.

"Oh. My. Goddess!!!! Ohhhhhh, you look soo pretty, Addy. Like a princess." Mom's voice echoed.

I quietly walked out of the room and paused at the end of the corridor. My breathing faltered when my eyes spotted my twin. She did look like a pretty princess in her green gown. It was much, much, much prettier than mine. Her blonde hair accentuated her beauty.

"The makeup artist did a great job, didn't she? Look at my eyes. They look so beautiful!" Adelyn swirled around to show her dress.

"She did make your eyes pop! You look awesome. Your figure is so freaking visible. My future model." Mom engulfed Adelyn in a hug.

My eyes lowered as pain like a barbed knife sliced through my heart. Maybe coming down was a bad idea. I should've stayed in my room. Nothing has ever been about me. It's always about Adelyn and her beauty, and her zero figure. I should just go back up to my room and open a new bag of chips.

Just when I decided to turn, someone called my name and I froze!

"Carolyn? Is that you? Wow, you look.... Not bad."

My hands started to tremble as my throat became thick. I hesitantly lifted my eyes and my heart constricted. That was Scott. He was dressed in a black denim shirt, a white tank top within, with black jeans. My body ached at the sight of him.

Scott has never bullied me after that one time last year. But it just stayed with me. And since then I've made sure to never cross his path. Anyway, regardless, he finds a way to be present wherever I'm being bullied or humiliated and enjoys it.

"Y-yeah. But I'll go back up. I'm not feeling well." I said.

"Are you crazy, Carolyn? It's our birthday today. We find our wolves and our ranks. Aren't you excited to find your rank like me?" Adelyn spoke as she walked closer.

I just took a step back in caution— An automatic physical reaction that gets triggered whenever Adelyn comes closer.

"I... I don't feel well." I lied again.

The truth is... I don't want to stay here. I forgot Scott will be there and maybe all those who bully me. The summer vacation is almost over. School starts next week so all of them have returned from their vacations. Not to mention it's the Alpha's favorite daughter's birthday, who would skip it and offend their Alpha?! They would've come back from their holidays to attend it anyway.

"Carolyn, come on!" Adelyn grasped my hands. "I know you're just nervous. Don't be. I am sure we're both from Alpha rank."

I bit my tongue so I wouldn't throw a witty remark. Not that I can ever do it. I'm just getting frustrated.

As the Alpha's offspring, we tend to find our wolf and whether we are from Alpha's clan or not. Most of the Alpha's children are all born with alpha ranks. But in special cases, the children who aren't from the Alpha's clan are demoted to the rank of an omega and discarded from the Alpha's family to live a normal life.

I don't know what will happen today, but I know I'm not going to have a happy Eighteenth birthday. Also, since Adelyn and Scott arrived, I feel like something is terribly going to go wrong.

Anyway, in the end mom forced me to stay. The party was bland for me. Everyone came only for Adelyn. They brought gifts only for her. I should be accustomed to it because so far, during all our birthdays, it's only Adelyn who gets gifts; but I expected something different today because today is supposed to be a life changing day.

We turn Eighteen. We enter adulthood. We find our wolves.

To be honest, nevertheless, it was like any other day. All compliments for Adelyn. All ignorance for me. In fact, I spent the night standing in the corner of the room. And because Adelyn is the favorite daughter of the alpha, the guests didn't even try to fake-greet me. I'm just an extra. An unwanted object, not even a daughter.

"Carolyn, it's time to cut the cake. Come." Mom called to me and all the eyes turned to me.

I felt my body grow hot in their scrutiny. It was now they were realizing I turned Eighteen too.

Tbc…