Perfect girlfriend

Chapter three - I won't go out

Layla's POV:

School is coming. I need to think of new ways to hide. I mean to hide my body. Well, I can wear my oversized clothes from last year. Honestly, I would love to dress in clothes that fit me. The problem is that people will start making fun of me because of my weight. I have already heard some comments about me. Sometimes people are mean, and I feel like if someone hits me, it won't hurt as much as if someone says I am too skinny. During the summer, most of the time, I am at home. It's not like I don't have summer clothes. The thing is that I don't feel comfortable walking outside. My oversized t-shirts are a life savior. I know I can't hide forever, but I will do it until I find a solution to my problem. Let's hope that this will happen soon. I don't know how long I can keep pretending I am ordinary. Girls want to be skinny, but trust me. They won't like it. Well, at least if they are in my condition. My parents keep telling me the same thing. I know they want me to feel better, but it's not working. Only two people are good to me. Everyone else is giving me looks or joking about my weight. As if this was my choice. It's not my fault that I am that skinny. I never wanted that. The problem is doctors can't find a permanent solution. Maybe they will, but who knows when? I don't want to lose more weight. It's no wonder why no one wants to talk with me. Well, except Jayden. Last year he was nice to me. It's not like he knows the truth. I'm sure of one thing. If I tell him everything, he won't talk with me anymore. We are not friends, but I like the way he treats me. I hope that one day all of this will be over. I'm tired of people's comments.

I woke up but didn't get out of bed. The thing is that I'm not in the mood to do anything. Maybe I can stay in bed the whole day. I don't have friends to go out with, so I can do whatever I want. Well, mom will probably make me get up. Honestly, I would love to have friends, but I don't think anyone will accept me the way I am. For people, I will always be the girl with a skinny body. No one likes me, and I have to accept that.

Soon, there was a knock on the door. It was my mom. She came in but wasn't pleased to see me still in bed. As I said, I didn't want to get up. If she wants, she can keep me company. Mom is my only friend, so I would love to spend some time with her. At least she likes me the way I am. Well, dad too. That's why I love them so much.

- Won't you get up?

- I'm not in the mood for that.

- Honey, you can't stay inside the whole day. It's sunny. You can go out for a walk. If you want, I will come with you.

- Thanks, but no. I won't go out.

- Hiding yourself here won't help you.

- Mom, please. I don't want another lecture.

- You deserve it. Summer is the time when you have fun with friends.

- I don't have friends.

- This is your mistake. I'm sure that someone will like you the way you are.

- Only in my dreams.

- Get up. Breakfast is ready.

- Do I have to eat?

- Yes, you do.

- Fine. Give me five minutes.

- Ok, I'll wait for you downstairs.

I know mom only wants to help me, but I'm fine. I have no problem with hiding myself inside. Technically, that way, I won't get sunburned. When I was ready, I went to the kitchen. Mom and dad were already at the table. Without saying anything, I started eating. Let's hope that they won't ask questions.

- Layla, do you have plans for the day? - dad asked

- No, why?

- Today I will go out with my friends. If you want, you can come with me.

- Thanks, but no. I don't want to go out.

- Why? You can't stay inside the whole day.

- I can, and this is what I plan to do.

- Enjoy the summer while you can.

- That's what I am doing.

- It doesn't look like that.

- When do you have to leave?

- After an hour. Why?

- So you can leave me alone.

- I'm not bothering you.

- Are you sure?

- Fine. Do whatever you want. When you start school, things will change.

- Don't be so sure.

- You'll see.

After breakfast, I walked back into my room. I took a book and started reading. Sometimes, reading about people's problems makes you forget about yours. It's not like I have. Maybe except for my weight. Mom said that she was going out. Great. I will be at home alone. I love my parents, but I wish they could leave me alone.

I spent an hour at home. Finally, I decided to go out. Let's say that I get bored at home. I put on one of my oversized t-shirts and walked out. First, I stopped for ice cream. I always eat only one ball. I want more, but I can't eat. Outside, there is no toilet. After all, I don't want people to see me throwing up. I went to one park to eat it. Many kids were there with their parents. I finished my ice cream and got up. To my luck, I bumped into someone. I looked up and saw a couple of boys.

- Hello, there. Do you need help?

- No, thank you.

- I think that you do.

- I said no. Now leave me alone.

- Why? You look good. - he said and put one of his hands around my waist

- What?

- You are so skinny. I can feel your ribs. - he said and laughed

- So? I'm sorry, but I have to go.

I let go of his hand and walked away. That's why I don't go out. People always make of my weight. I try not to worry about this, but it hurts me. Why do people have to be so mean? I was walking around the town when someone came up to me.

- Hey.

- Jayden? What are you doing here?

- I saw you and decided to see where you were going.

- Nowhere. I am just walking around.

- Will you mind if I take you for lunch?

- No. I would love that.

- Great. If you want, we can go.

- Yeah, sure.

We walked to one restaurant. It opened last month. I have already been here three times. Let's say that I love the place. Both of us sat at a table, and soon a waiter came. He gave us the menu and left. I don't know what to eat. It can't be much. I can eat as much as I want. Well, then, I will throw up. A salad would be good, but I wanted meat.

- What will you eat? - Jayden asked

- I don't know. I want meat.

- There are many choices.

- I know. By the way, I love this restaurant.

- Really?

- Yes. I have been here three times.

- I came here a couple of days ago. Thanks to my friend Evan. You know him, right?

- I know the whole team.

- Great.

Finally, I ordered a chicken salad. It has some meat, and it's not that much like quantity. Jayden wanted to eat pizza. After twenty minutes, our food came. For drinks, we ordered water.

- It's not my business, but are you sure this is enough food?

- Yes. I ate a bit too much for breakfast. Also, I ate ice cream while I was outside.

- Ok, you know better.

- If I get hungry, I will eat at home.

- Do you have plans for the rest of the day?

- No, why?

- If you want, we can do something.

- Thanks, but I don't like being under the sun.

- Oh, ok. Do you know how to play video games?

- No. I haven't played much.

- If you want, I can show you some things.

- Thanks, but I prefer to stay at home.

- It's ok. Maybe next time.

- If you want, we can walk around.

- I would love that.

The rest of the lunch we spent in silence. Jayden is nice, but I don't want him to find out about my problem. I am afraid that he might leave. He is the only person with who I feel comfortable talking. I don't want to lose him. I wanted to pay for my food, but he didn't let me. I won't argue with him about that. Later, we went for a walk. Honestly, I would love to spend my whole day with him, but I can't. If we don't stay close, it might not be that bad.

- I know I said no, but is the offer still available?

- For the video games?

- Yes.

- Did you change your mind?

- Maybe.

- Then yes, it is.

- Thanks.

- Let's go home.

I have never been to anyone else's house. I don't know what Jayden's parents' jobs are, but it's pretty. We walked into his room. It was full of video games and books. I didn't know that he reads. Maybe they are gifts. I looked at the desk and saw a book. I have the same one.

- I am reading this. Currently, I am on page 230. Chapter sixteen.

- You have to be kidding me.

- Why?

- I am there. Today I read a couple of chapters.

- You read the same book?

- Yes, I do. I stopped on the same chapter.

- Let's say that this is a coincidence. If you want, you can see my other books.

- Thanks, I would love to.

- Do you have any of them?

- I already see five, which I have.

- If you like a book, you can take it.

- I will take this one. Well, if you don't mind.

- Not at all.

- I will return it when we start school.

- It's ok. I don't need it now. Moreover, I have read it.

- Please don't spoil anything.

- Don't worry. I think that you will like it.

- Me too.

- Let's play now. Choose a game.

- This one looks interesting.

- Good choice. It's one of my favorites.

Jayden and I played for about two hours. I was terrible, but he didn't say anything. I know he is trying to be nice, but he can be honest. I'm probably the worst player in the world. Well, I don't play video games. First, playing alone is boring. Second, this is not my thing. I like it, but not that much.

- I am terrible.

- No, you're not. For the first time playing, you are catching up quickly.

- Be honest, please.

- I am. You are not bad. All you need is more practice.

- Thanks. I appreciate it.

- What do you want us to do now?

- I think that it's time for me to go home.

- Oh, ok. I had a great day today.

- Me too. If you want, you can send me home. I won't deny some company.

- Really? I would love it.

- Let's go then.

Both of us walked out. Jayden was smiling the whole time. I guess that he is in a good mood. After forty-five minutes, we walked to my house. I offered him to come in, but luckily he denied it. I have no problem with that, but my parents will ask him many questions. Also, mom might tell him everything, and I don't want this to happen.

- Thanks for today. I needed that.

- No problem. I like spending time with you.

- I will bring you the book when I read it.

- It's ok. As I said, I don't need it.

- Well, I'll see you at school, I guess.

- You have to. - he said, chuckling

- I have to go now. Bye, and thank you for today.

- You're welcome. See you soon. - he said and left

- Who was this? - mom asked, opening the door

- No one important.

- I don't think so. I saw the way he looked at you.

- Mom, please stop. I'm not in the mood for that.

- Does he know everything?

- No, and I prefer it this way.

- Layla, you can't hide forever.

- I don't want to talk about this. - I said and walked into my room

The rest of the day I spent in my room. I walked out of it only for dinner. Later, I started reading the book which I took from Jayden. Maybe I have to finish mine first. The thing is that I want to give it back to him. I liked the beginning. I read five chapters and went to bed. If everyone treated me like him, I wouldn't be hiding. Well, that's because he has no idea who I am. I can tell him everything. The thing is that I don't want to lose the only person with who I feel comfortable talking. Maybe one day, I will be brave enough to tell him the truth. I hope that it won't be too late.