They Called me Gross Then I changed Everything

They Called Me Gross… Then I Changed Everything My name is Lily. I’ve never hated anyone, even the people who made school feel impossible. For years, I was the girl everyone picked on. I tried to smile through the whispers, the jokes, and the cruel nicknames, pretending they didn’t hurt as much as they did. The only person who ever showed me kindness was Lucas. He’d sit with me at lunch, make sure I’d eaten, and remind me that I deserved better. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him. When I finally found the courage to tell him how I felt… Everything changed. The boy who once stood beside me joined everyone else in laughing. A few weeks later, during volleyball, the rain began to pour. Everyone rushed back inside, but before I could follow, someone shoved me to the ground. I twisted my ankle trying to catch myself. I remember sitting there in the rain, calling for help. No one came. So I got up on my own. That summer wasn’t about proving anyone wrong. It was about proving to myself that I deserved to be healthy, happy, and strong. I learned to eat properly, exercised a little more each day, and slowly became the person I’d always wanted to be—not because I thought it would make people like me, but because I finally realized I should be kind to myself too. When senior year begins, people only notice how different I look. But I’m still the same Lily. The same girl who believes in seeing the best in people. Lucas wants to be part of my life again. And then there’s Carter, the quiet transfer student whose kindness asks for nothing in return. For the first time, I have a choice—not between two boys, but between holding on to the past or embracing the future.