MISS NOBODY GLOW UP REVENGE. IN LOVE WITH THE ICE HOCKEY STAR

ADRIA The room reeked of antiseptic and sweat. Mira lay against the pillows, face pale, hair clinging to her forehead. The beauty pageant crown from three years ago felt like a lifetime ago. Now she was just a woman gripping the bed rails, breathing through another contraction. Beside her, her husband Damian paced in tight circles, suit jacket wrinkled, hands trembling. “Just breathe, Mira. You’re okay. You’re okay,” he kept saying, but his voice cracked. He was terrified. Not of losing her,of losing control. “Push!” the doctor ordered. One scream. Two. Then a cry split the room. Girl one. The nurse lifted her up, and the room went quiet for a second. “Oh… wow,” the nurse breathed. “She’s perfect.” Pink skin, dark lashes already fanning against her cheeks, tiny perfect mouth. Even half-covered in vernacular, she looked like something out of a magazine. Damian let out a shaky laugh, relief flooding his face. Mira smiled, exhausted but proud. Then came the second cry. Girl two. The moment the nurse turned her over, the air changed. She was small, fat and wrong. Skin mottled red, face puffed and misshapen, a birthmark spreading across her cheek like a stain. Her cry was weak, ugly. Mira’s eyes snapped open. Her smile vanished. “No,” she whispered. “No no, take it away. Take it away now.” Her voice rose into a scream that made Damian flinch. “That’s not my child! That thing isn’t mine! Get it out of my sight!” The doctor stepped forward, calm but firm. “Mrs. Vance, this is your daughter. Twins are....” “I don’t care!” Mira cut him off, clutching the beautiful baby to her chest like a shield. “I’m not touching it. I’m not keeping it. If you don’t take it away, I’ll leave it here and walk out.” Damian stood frozen, face pale, saying nothing. The nurse, Evans, watched from the corner. Her jaw tightened. She’d seen this before. Beauty gets cradled. The rest gets thrown away. Minutes passed. Mira refused to look at the second child. She signed the papers for the first girl only. The other baby lay in the bassinet, wailing, unwanted. When Mira and Damian left with with her child. Evans waited. She picked up the abandoned child. The baby’s cry had gone quiet, like it had already learned no one was coming. Evans adjusted the blanket and whispered, “You’re not trash, little one. You’re mine now.” She named her Aria. 7 years later. Dining Room – Evening The smell of smokey brisket hung in the air, but no one was eating. Aria sat at the edge of the table, pushing food around her plate. leaving for school, already fired tired and quiet. That was all it took. Maya leaned back in her chair, watching a movie on her tablet and See's a chubby girl on the screen. Her eyes dragged over Aria like she was assessing trash. "Hey, Aria,” Maya said, voice dripping with mock pity. “You still eating like that? No wonder you look the way you look.” Aria didn’t look up. Maya smirked and turned to Evans, who was sitting at the head of the table. “Mom, tell her. Even the chair is struggling with her weight. She eats like a pig every single time. If I ate like that, I’d roll into the room.” Aria’s jaw tightened. “I’m not talking to you, Maya.” “Oh, so now you’re shy?” Maya laughed. “You’re so fat, Aria. Fat and ugly. I don’t know how Mom even let you sit with us. It’s embarrassing.” Evans set her spoon down with a sharp clink. Her face hardened. “Maya!” she snapped. “That’s enough. I will not have you speaking to your sister like that in my house.” Maya rolled her eyes, not even fazed. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, all innocence. “My sister?” She smiled sweetly at Aria. “Mom, be serious. You know you only keep her here out of pity. I’m your only lovely child. The room went dead quiet. Evans face went pale, then flushed red. “Maya! Apologize right now!” “Make me,” Maya said under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Aria finally looked up. Her eyes weren’t watery. They were cold. She pushed her plate away, stood up, and said quietly: “Am leaving for school ". She walked out, leaving Maya smirking and Evans staring after her with guilt and fear warring on her face. The school bus horn and Evans held Aria hands to the and waved. Elementary School The bell had just rung, and the hallway exploded with noise. Shoes scuffing, kids shouting, backpacks slamming against lockers. Aria walked in slow, holding her backpack with both hands like it could shield her. She was bigger than the other kids. Softer. Her clothes didn’t sit right, and she knew it before anyone said a word. “Look!” someone yelled. Heads turned. It was Maya , Aria sister standing with her little group by the water fountain. Maya’s lip curled like Aria was something disgusting on the floor. “Here comes Big Bun,” Maya said, loud enough for everyone. “Hey Aria, did you eat the whole bakery again?” A snicker. Then laughter. “Donut! Donut!” another kid picked up, bouncing on their toes. “She looks like Grandma! Hey Grandma, you need a walker?” Aria stopped walking. Her face got hot. she couldn't believe her sister could bring this to school. She stared at the floor, fingers twisting the strap of her bag. She didn’t answer. If she talked, her voice would shake, and that would make it worse. Maya stepped closer, blocking her path. She poked Aria’s arm. “Ew, you’re so fat. Move. You’re taking up too much space.” Aria tried to step around her. Maya stepped with her. “No one wants to sit with you,” Maya said, voice low now, just for Aria to hear. “Sit alone like you always do. Nobody likes you.” Aria looked up for half a second. Maya’s eyes were sharp, pleased. The rest of the kids were watching, waiting to see if Aria would cry. She didn’t. She swallowed, stepped to the side, and walked past them to the empty corner by the classroom door where she always sat alone. The laughter followed her all the way there. Mrs Evans would be kind when she got home. But right now, Aria was seven years old, and the whole school had decided she didn’t belong. AT HOME. ARIA was fell asleep, Evans went to her drawer and pulled out a folded paper she’d hidden for 7 years. The hospital discharge form. Two names on it. One crossed out. She stared at it and whispered, “Not yet. She’s not ready.” Then she locked it away again. 17 years later. Night and dawn collide in one frame. A 1-2 lamps, ceiling light a yellow bub. Aria sat on her bed, clean and tidy her blanket covered around her knees a laptop on her legs. she seventeen, and had gain weight more than when she was seven. Then she let out a scream "oh my gosh !. Miss Evans and Maya ran into her room. "What wrong my baby girl?". Miss Evan asked. Aria spoke with excitement . "I just got a scholarship at the Elite academy. The air is thick with emotion. Arias froze. "the “Elite Billionaire Academy”admission letter trembling in her hands like it might burn her. Her eyes glisten with disbelief and fear of the unknown. Behind her, her mother Evans sobs silently into her hands. Maya sat staring at with jealousy . "who actually let a fat pig in their school." Maya spat out. "shut up, or I'll make you" . Evans screamed. That light tears across the frame into a biting, glamorous morning. The gates of the "Elite academy" towering marble, black iron, and glass that reflects a sky heavy with clouds. Aria now stands small and out of place, uniform too new, and she looked chubby in that uniform, her heart was pounding. A black motorcycle screams to a halt inches from her. The rider yanks her back in one sharp motion, pulling her against him to save her from falling. Their faces are inches apart. he was putting on a helmet, Aria could only His eyes are dark, unreadable, possessive. Aria's eyes are widened, stunned, with the first flicker of something dangerous attraction, defiance, fate. Wind whips her hair, snow dust and golden light swirl between them. The guy on the black motorcycle,pulls her more closer this time , he leans closer face inches from each other and whispers a word. soft .calm. "Hey pretty "