To Fall or to Falter

Ariel Stepping into my Volkswagen golf that my dad got for me after insisting we kept things on the low,I dialed my friend,Ria's number because I needed to be sure she'd make it to school today,I can't possibly stay in that space alone. "Babe,where are you?" I was almost screaming out of excitement and fear. "Don't be too lousy,I know you can't do anything without me"She chuckled as she spoke.Almost loosing patience because she seemed to be toying with me I decided to tell her the good news,I had not told her yet that I'd be resuming at Palmer's College -Her school, she'd be psyched when she hears. "So...." I dragged and she kept shut, knowing I was about to spill something huge to her."I'm enrolling at Palmer's" I spilled almost like a question more than a statement.There was silence for straight ten seconds, almost like the line had been cut off, I had to ensure she was still on."Ria" I called the first time she didn't say anything."Ria" I called the second time and she screamed, I thought my ear drums would have bursted,Trust Ria to be very much dramatic. "You must be crazy,why didn't you tell me" She said from the other end.I wanted to surprise her so bad, we've been friends since we were kids,lived in the same neighborhood,ate together,cried together, schooled together,heck our parents were almost like siblings,she was more than a sister to me, quite unfortunate she had to move to another city because her dad got a new job,but that wasn't it ,I had something else to show her, something I wanted her to see in person -How much I've changed,since all of that. "It was supposed to be a surprise Ria-a surprise" I said almost sarcastically."Anyways I'm on my way there and I'll love for you to show me to my dormitory" I said with my tone peaking of excitement. "Ariel,Ariel,A...ri...el...." dragging my name for no tangible reason I can tell."Now I have to tell you about all the sophomore and senior boys at college too".sounding so excited I had to feign excitement too. " Yes... I'd love to hear it but that would be in person though " I said almost dryly,I've had my fair share of boys drama back in high school, I don't want to bring any of that into college,I have my vision board and know what I'm going for and looking to attain- boys are nowhere near it. Thirty five minutes later I could already sight the poster board on the road side directing people to the right location of the school;blue and red so bold you would know it is a prestigious school; a stallion mounted on the top of it, denoting royalty.I heard it was owned by a Royal Family or at least they owned a large share in the school as they invested so much ,but yet to confirm if it's true or not-Not my problem though. About to park the car in a safe place like Daddy always warns,I heard a scream, "Ariel!!!...Is that you,No,It can't be " I just knew it was Ria.Not withstanding the fact that I'm the shy type - Not like she doesn't know that,she decided to scream to draw attention towards us like she always did while we were younger.I was never insecure or envious of her back when we were younger,she wasn't the hot shot back in high school but she had her fair share of attention from boys-She wasn't insecure,she was confident in her own skin and body and carried herself with so much elegance .I strived to be like her all these years, I wanted to be able to speak up for myself like she'd always caution me to,but I was to insecure- insecure about my body,about my face, about myself in general because compared to me,Ria really was THAT girl. "Oh my f*****g goodness, Look at you" I stared at her without saying a word and she went on,"Yo..u...You...You've changed,b***h!!! what's with all that ass at the back and you..you..your face too,all those pimples and dark spots are all gone,I told you to not irritate them ;they'd go when the time's right " She almost screamed even though a good number of people were already staring at us. "What did you use though " She said with glee as her hands subconsciously went to her face that I had noticed was breaking out just under her chin,but still looked as beautiful as always."Nevermind, don't tell me.I don't want to know. You are literally the hottest girl in school right now and to think you're a sophomore student too, Best believe senior girls will have it in hot for you and the boys will be drooling like never before". Nudging her to start moving she was occasionally still turning back to glance at me ,she just couldn't believe her eyes, I wouldn't too,if I see myself this way after two years because the change was something no one -not even myself could've seen coming.Okay that's not true ,I did see it coming because I was intentional about becoming the best version of myself before resuming college.I went to a dermatologist two times the previous year to have my skin checked and I found out I had comedonal acne which the doctor had told me became severe because of normal pubertal tendencies-If only I had known. I was advised to use some drugs consistently to dry out my skin ,hence,draining sebum,I had to exfoliate weekly,cut down on sugary foods and used only approved products which was majorly tretinoin,it purged by skin though, was very much inevitable because she had explained that the sebum was covered by a layer of skin so to clear it up,it just had toappear on the surface first.Thankfully I was at home for a couple months after highschool no one saw me looking like a not so pretty zebra with half my face swollen with pimples.A couple of months after ,my face had cleared up entirely, Although,I was still using the tretinoin I had resorted to using one with a lower strength so that it doesn't irritate my skin,and yesss Sunscreen was my Bestie then. As for the body, let's just say I'm a late bloomer,It all just kind of happened,My breasts that were too small to be called an A cup grew to become a B,my hips looked so thick and became so ;I couldn't even fit into any of my bodycon dresses anymore and my ass..my ass...my ass - nothing gives me more joy than the backyard tank I've finally gained. I thought I'd be straight forever but God did . I've never been called short but I know for a fact I grew two or three inches taller over this past year and for Ria, three or even more ,seeing as it's been two years since we last saw each other. "If it isn't Ariel f*****g Saunders,You didn't have to go around playing hide and seek,trust me ,no one would have come looking for you" I heard that scrawny,bitchy -high-pitched voice I had heard for more than three years of my life.It was always Sana and Him that would always taunt me, making me feel less of myself.Too bad for them,I'm back and I'm Ready. Turning around I saw her face, looking as bitchy as ever,she had on so much make-up I nearly couldn't recognize her,like b***h are you really that ugly? "You know,it's okay for people to think you're stupid,you don't have to prove them right" I heard Ria say, stopping my train of thoughts.I laughed at the comment and I could hear two other people behind us chuckle,meaning they heard it too.Her face was red with embarrassment but she started so why feel little? "Her maids probably served her bitchflakes this morning,who knows?" I added.She looked visibly livid but I was ready for her. "The world would've been such a better place if ...." I paused my words and turned as Ria nudged me to look behind-No it can't f*****g be ...I refuse to believe this . Looking from the heels of his shoes that anyone can tell is an expensive make,up to his belt and the waist of his black tailored pants,all the way past his torso and to his face .Those eyes.Those f*****g brown eyes.I saw Him .This can't f*****g be.