The Curvy Comeback

Chapter 3

ASHLEY’S POV

One month.

It had only been one month since I swore to take my body back, but already, the changes were there—small, but real.

Every dawn, sweat dripped down my forehead as I forced my body to move, gasping through endless squats, stretches, and laps. Every night, I pushed away David’s poisoned meals and followed Dr. Elaine’s plans. I ate healthy. I cheered vegetables and lean chicken even when my tongue craved the comfort of cream and sugar.

It wasn’t easy. My muscles ached so much I sometimes cried into my pillow. But every tear, every sore muscle, was fuel.

And now, the mirror no longer mocked me. Now, it gave me hope.

I stood in front of it. I measured my waist with a tape. My waist was two inches smaller. My face still had roundness, yes, but it wasn’t as bloated as it used to be. My skin used to be dull but now, it glowed a bit.

For a moment, though, the reflection blurred. I remembered a memory from my past life

*flashback*

I remember it vividly.

I had been so excited. It was my very first charity gala at the mayor’s mansion, and I’d spent weeks convincing myself that this was my chance to shine — my chance to prove that despite my weight and shy personality, I could fit into their world.

I stood before the mirror hours before the event, smoothing down the gown I had bought. It was a pale pink satin dress, a little too snug around the waist, but to me it was perfect. “You look beautiful,” I whispered to my reflection, trying to believe it. For once, I wanted people to see me, not just the fat girl who barely kept up in gym class.

When I arrived at the hall, the chandeliers glittered like a thousand diamonds overhead. The sound of music floated through the air, and I could hear people laughing from every corner. My heart beat fast. I was nervous but hopeful. I clutched my small purse tightly, taking a deep breath.

That’s when I spotted them. Kathy. She looked elegant as always. She was dressed in a sparkling silver gown that hugged her figure like it was made for her. Her group of friends surrounded her, sipping champagne, whispering, and giggling. Jack stood not too far from them, tall, confident. He looked effortlessly handsome. He glanced at me once — just once — and I swore my heart leapt.

“Okay, Ashley,” I told myself, “you belong here. Just smile. Just walk in.”

But the moment I stepped further inside, I felt the shift. The stares. The whispers.

“Is she seriously wearing that?” one girl hissed, barely bothering to hide her laugh.

“Pink? On her? She looks like an overstuffed cupcake,” another sneered.

My cheeks burned, but I kept walking. I kept my chin slightly lifted.

Then Kathy’s voice echoed “Oh my God, Ashley! That dress….did it come with a warning label?”

Everyone in her group laughed. My heart clenched.

I forced a smile. “Hi, Kathy. You look… lovely tonight.”

Her smirk widened. “Of course, I do. Unlike some people, I know my size.”

The laughter got louder. It hurt me deeply but I refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of Jack.

I tried to move past them, but Kathy suddenly reached out, pretending to admire my dress.

“Wow, this fabric is working really hard, isn’t it? Careful, it might just—”

Riiiiip.

The sound split the air. My world froze.

The back seam of my gown had torn. The hole was wide, too wide. Gasps turned into cruel laughter as the students clapped their hands over their mouths, pointing.

“Oh my God, she actually ripped it!” someone shouted.

“Too much pressure on the poor fabric!” another howled.

I stood there, paralyzed. My hands flew to cover myself, but it was useless. My skin prickled with shame. My face felt so hot I thought I’d faint.

And then I heard his laugh.

Jack.

He wasn’t just laughing. He was doubled over, clutching his stomach. There were tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

“Are you kidding me? This is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen!” he managed between wheezes.

Something inside me shattered. The boy I had admired, the one I had secretly dreamed about — he was laughing louder than anyone else.

Kathy leaned against him, smirking triumphantly. “Told you she’d embarrass herself.”

The hall echoed with their laughter, their whispers, their mocking stares. My vision blurred with tears, but I refused to let them fall. Not yet. I stood frozen. I felt so humiliated.

Ashley, you don’t belong here, you never will.

I finally turned and fled. My dress was torn. My pride was non existent. My hops was crushed.

That night, I curled in bed with my face buried in the pillow. I promised myself I’d never forget. The humiliation. The cruelty. Jack’s laughter. Kathy’s smirk.

And I never did.

*end of flashback*

I shuddered from the memory. I forced myself to push the pain aside. Instead, I focused on what was in front of me right now.

I touched my cheek and laughed. “This… this is me. Finally me.”

And I didn’t stop there. I raided my wardrobe, tossing out all the oversized sweaters and frumpy dresses that David had always encouraged me to wear. Clothes that made me look shapeless, helpless, small.

No more.

Now, I slipped into a fitted navy-blue short skirt that hugged my new waist and a white tank top that made my skin seem even clearer. I paired it with ankle boots and a diamond necklace. I straightened my hair to perfection and applied some make up.

When I looked in the mirror this time, I didn’t see the “fat, desperate Ashley” my classmates used to mock. I saw a girl in transition, a girl glowing with potential.

I smirked. “Let’s see how you all like this version of me.”