Perfect girlfriend

Chapter seven - School and revealed secrets

Layla's POV:

It's about time for Jayden to find out about my condition. I haven't planned to tell him, but I'm trying to be an ordinary girl. I have to go out with him without eating. The thing is that I am eating as much as one person will eat. Then comes the problem. I can't eat that much. Otherwise, I will throw up. It's not like this hasn't happened. I'm trying to avoid eating much. Well, I know that he will start asking questions. I can't hide forever, but what else do I have to do? If I don't eat, I can't gain weight. The problem is that I can't eat. My body is not supporting me at all. I don't know what to do. If Jayden sees how I look, he will probably never talk with me. There is a chance that he might stay, but I don't believe it. I look horrible. I am way too skinny, and no matter what I do, I will never be able to gain weight. It's not like I didn't want to try the treatment. The problem is that mom will never agree. I need her permission. I can ask dad, but he would never do anything against mom. No other options left for me. I should keep starving myself, even if I don't want it. There is one good thing. That is the fact I can eat something. I am close to becoming anorexic, and this is something that I want to prevent. I know that there is a way how I can get better. The doctors have to find it. Every sickness has a medical solution if it gets caught on time. Maybe I have to be patient. Well, I have been like that for five years already. I won't be surprised if I get worse. After some time, you get used to this. It's not like this is nice, but I can't do anything. I hope that one day I will get better.

I woke up and went to get ready. Today is my first day of school. I went in front of my wardrobe and started thinking. I need clothes that won't show my skin. Well, at least outline it. My trouble zone is my stomach. Many girls in school have skinny legs. I picked tight jeans and a hoodie. It's a bit hot outside, but I don't have an option. I'm not ready for people's comments. I mean, not today. My mood is good, and I don't want to ruin it.

When I was ready, I walked downstairs for breakfast. Only dad was at the table. I grabbed some food and sat next to him. Soon, mom came, but she didn't notice me. She walked into the kitchen and made coffee for herself and dad. I don't know how people drink this. It's sour for me. Well, that's why I am not drinking it. Mom sat at the table and looked at me. I have the feeling that she is not in a good mood today.

- Mom, are you ok?

- What is this?

- What?

- It's hot outside. You will sweat in this hoodie.

- I'm fine. I felt a bit cold when I got up from bed.

- Go and change.

- Why?

- Layla, go and change. I know why you get dressed like that.

- Mom, I won't do it.

- Go and change. Now!

- Ok, don't get mad.

I walked into my room and picked up a t-shirt. Of course, I put the hoodie in my backpack. I won't let anyone see the way I look. Later, I walked back to the table. Mom got up, took it, and opened it.

- What are you doing? I need this.

- No, you don't. I won't let you continue hiding. You look fine. Why can't you understand it?

- Because it's not true. I look horrible. Now give me my hoodie back.

- I won't give you anything.

- Mom, please.

- No, do whatever you want, but I won't give it back.

- Then I will go and get another one.

- You won't go anywhere. Now sit and eat.

- Please.

- No, you will go like that. Also, a shirt in your size is something you need.

- What? No, I don't.

- Yes, you do. I will get you one.

- Don't you dare. I won't dress like a Barbie doll.

- You look fine. Stop complaining.

- Why are you doing this?

- Because I want everyone to see how beautiful you are.

- If I had been, I would dress myself the way I wanted.

- You will go to school dressed like that. Final decision.

- You're not right.

I tried to get my hoodie back, but mom didn't let me. I had to walk like that. I feel so embarrassed. She even made me change my t-shirt. Now everyone will see my ribs and how skinny I am. Why does she hate me so much? Mom will never understand what type of people go to school. One thing is sure. I have to hide from Jayden and Evan. Someone will probably tell them what I look like, but I hope they won't believe it. Otherwise, I will lose the only friends that I have.

After around half an hour, I arrived at school. The moment I walked in, all the looks were on me. Thank you, mom. People were looking at me as if I was that interesting. I heard someone laughing. Also, someone said that I am a skeleton. That is terrible. I quickly took my things and walked to my first class. I can't stay around people. Let's hope that Jayden and Evan are not in my classes.

Later, I walked to my locker. Soon, a couple of girls came up to me. Please tell me that they won't make fun of me. I don't want to deal with that. Not now.

- Hey, you.

- Yes.

- What do you think you are doing?

- I don't understand.

- I am the skinniest girl in school.

- So?

- I need your diet.

- I don't have one.

- Come on. I'm not that stupid. I know that you are dieting yourself. Now give it to me.

- I'm not dieting.

- Yes, you are. Stop lying and give me the recipe.

- For a millionth time. I'm not dieting myself.

- No one can be that skinny. You will tell me the truth, or I will make you do it.

- Can you leave me alone?

- This is not over.

- Hey, babe. Oh, who is that? Skelly. - one boy said and laughed

- She doesn't want to tell me her secret.

- Don't do it. She looks ugly. You are just fine.

- But I want to be skinnier.

- If you look like her, I won't date you. I don't want an ugly girlfriend.

- You know that I am right here. - I said

- Yes, so what? What I said is true. You are ugly. Too much.

- For the last time. Will you tell me your secret? - she asked

- No.

- Fine. I hope you get uglier. - she said and left

I took what I needed for the next class and ran away. That was terrible. No one cares about people's feelings. Now I will be the number one enemy in school. No one will want to talk with me. I hate my mom right now. All of this is happening thanks to her. Why did she have to do it? Like it's not enough that I already receive negative comments about myself.

The rest of the day I spent hiding. I saw Jayden and Evan multiple times, but I ignored them. They can't see me like that. I wish that I could cover myself. It's not like this will help. People had already seen the way I looked. After school, I walked home and locked myself in my room. I spend there my whole afternoon. That was a horrible day. Soon, there was a knock on the door. I didn't open it. Right now, I don't want to talk with anyone.

- Layla, will you open the door?

- No. Go away.

- Why?

- Because you ruined my day. I don't want to talk with you.

- Don't be so stubborn. Please, open the door. I want to talk with you.

- But I don't.

- Will you at least come for dinner?

- No.

- Please, I don't want you to starve yourself.

- I am already doing it.

- Honey, this is not healthy for you. Open the door.

I didn't say anything and opened the door. I walked by my mom and went into the kitchen. Dad was at the table. He looked at me but didn't say anything. Instead, I received a hug. I won't lie. That feels good.

- Layla, what happened?

- Ask your wife.

- Did she do something to you?

- She ruined my day.

- Why?

- Everyone hates me. Thanks to mom, people gave me looks the whole day. Some girl wanted my diet recipe. Her boyfriend said that I was a skeleton. Also, I was ugly. Now everyone is looking at me and laughing in my face. - I said with tears in my eyes

- This is terrible.

- I know. That was why I was hiding. No one bothered me.

- Honey, I'm sorry. - mom said

- It doesn't matter. You already did enough.

- How can I help you?

- By staying away from me. - I said and left

She might be my mom, but I am mad at her. This woman ruined my life. Now I won't be able to look at anyone without receiving a hate comment. Why everything horrible happens to me? I didn't hurt anyone. I guess that I deserve it. By the next day, Jayden will know everything. I officially lost my friend. Great. I hate my life.

- Layla, are you ok? - dad asked

- How do you think?

- Look, your mom didn't want to hurt you. Only to show people that you look great.

- No, I don't. Stop saying that. I am ugly. Every day I look at myself in the mirror and ask what is wrong with me. Why can't I be normal? The thing is that this will never happen. Not without treatment.

- You know that your mom won't let you do it.

- Then how am I supposed to get better?

- Why are you sure that you will get better?

- Because I know it.

- What if you get worse? What will you do then?

- I don't know.

- You have to think about everything that can happen. If you get worse, what happened today, will be daily for you. Do you want it?

- No, I don't.

- Then? Don't be mad at your mom. She only wanted to help you.

- She did. The worst way possible.

- Your mom is not bad. She will never hurt you.

- But she did it.

- It's not on purpose. Go and talk with your mom. She feels awful.

- Well, she deserves it.

- Layla! Please, don't talk like that about her.

- I'm sorry. I had an awful day.

- I know, but this doesn't mean you have to be angry at us.

- Can you leave me alone?

- Won't you eat?

- I'm not hungry.

- If you say so. We'll leave you some food in case you get hungry.

- Ok.

Dad walked away, and I laid in my bed. I wish that I could erase this day. To make people forget about me. The problem is that this can't happen. I checked my phone and saw a couple of messages from Jayden.

Hey, where were you today? I didn't see you in school. Is there a problem? You can share it with me. I will help you. Please answer me. I am getting worried. Hello. Are you here? If I did something, I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you.

I can't tell him anything. Honestly, I feel bad for him. He cares about me, but I can't be honest. My fears are big. Also, I risk everything. I can't let this happen. Losing him means losing everything. I don't have other friends. He is my only one. I have talked with people in school, but that was. After all, I will reply to him.

I'm sorry, but I was busy. I had some work in the afternoon and hadn't checked my phone. You don't have to worry about me. I am fine. Thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it.

No problem. I'm glad that you are ok. :)

Jayden and I texted for a while. He wanted to call me, but I said I don't want to talk right now. Of course, he asked questions. Luckily, I managed to avoid them. I have nothing against him, but I don't want to talk about this, especially with him. I know I should tell him the truth, but I don't feel ready for this. He might not judge me, but how can I be sure? Everyone is laughing at me. I don't want him to do it too. Jayden is important to me, and I don't want to lose him. I hope all of this will be over because I am getting tired.