Rewritten

The Pain of Starting Over

Elena woke up the next morning feeling like she’d been hit by a truck.

Every muscle in her body ached—from her legs to her arms, even her lower back. She groaned as she rolled onto her side, rubbing her sore shoulders.

She hadn’t even done much the night before—just some walking on the treadmill and a few light exercises—but her body wasn’t used to moving like that.

This is pathetic, she thought bitterly.

Still, a tiny part of her felt… proud. She had gone to the gym. She had stayed. She had done something.

It wasn’t much, but it was more than she’d done in years.

Pushing the covers off, she sat up, stretching her stiff limbs before grabbing her phone.

There was a text from her mom.

Mom: Good luck at school today, sweetheart. I’m proud of you.

Elena exhaled sharply.

Her mother had no idea how much those words meant.

It wasn’t like she had done anything impressive. It was just the gym.

But for Elena, it was a battle she had won.

A small one.

But still a battle.

---

Back to Reality

School felt different today.

Maybe it was just in her head, but after stepping into the gym last night—after doing something for herself—she felt a little… stronger.

Not physically.

But mentally.

She wasn’t walking with her head down as much. She wasn’t hugging her books to her chest, trying to disappear.

Of course, the moment she stepped into the main hallway, reality came crashing back.

Taylor and her group were huddled near her locker, laughing about something. Elena instantly tensed.

She hadn’t forgotten what had happened at the party.

The humiliation. The betrayal. The way they had all treated her like she was nothing.

Taylor spotted her first, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder with a smirk.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Elena the ghost. I was starting to think you actually disappeared.”

Elena clenched her jaw.

She wasn’t in the mood for this today.

Taylor, of course, wasn’t done. “What’s with the new energy? Don’t tell me you finally got tired of being pathetic?”

Her friends giggled.

Elena took a deep breath.

The old her would have walked away. Would have let Taylor say whatever she wanted.

But last night had changed something.

She wasn’t ready to fight back—at least, not yet—but she wasn’t going to run either.

So she just gave Taylor a look, one that said, I’m not playing your game today, and reached for her locker.

Taylor blinked, like she hadn’t expected that.

Elena could feel their eyes on her as she grabbed her books.

She could hear their whispers.

But she didn’t let it get to her.

Not today.

---

A Glimpse of the Past

The day passed in a blur, her mind stuck somewhere between exhaustion and determination.

By lunchtime, she was considering skipping the cafeteria entirely.

But then she saw him.

Brian.

Sitting at his usual table with the rest of the guys.

For a split second, their eyes met.

Elena’s heart clenched.

Brian had once been her best friend. Her first real crush. The boy she had imagined a future with.

And now, he was just another person who had left her behind.

He looked away first, laughing at something one of his friends said.

Elena turned on her heel and walked out of the cafeteria.

---

A New Routine

That night, she went back to the gym.

Her body protested every step; her muscles were still sore from yesterday, but she went.

This time, she didn’t hesitate when she stepped through the doors.

Luca was at the front desk again. He grinned when he saw her.

“Back already?”

She nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. “I, uh, figured I should keep going.”

“That’s the right attitude,” he said approvingly. “You need help with anything?”

Elena hesitated.

As much as she wanted to figure things out on her own, she had no idea what she was doing.

“…Maybe?”

Luca chuckled. “Alright. Let’s get you started.”

For the next hour, he walked her through some basic exercises—teaching her how to use the machines, how to stretch properly, and how to lift weights without hurting herself.

It was harder than she thought.

She struggled.

She felt weak.

But she didn’t give up.

And for the first time in a long time… she felt like she was finally moving forward.