After I Became Pretty Chapter 08
I thought they’d put up some kind of fight.
Instead, they glanced at each other—
then suddenly broke into sycophantic smiles, tripping over themselves to transfer me money.
“Elara, I ran my mouth. I’m sorry.”
“Here’s a thousand—consider it an apology.”
“Please don’t hate me…”
One guy handed me a drink. “I don’t even remember what I said.”
“Take this two thousand—I was blind. I had no idea you’d turn out this beautiful.”
“Anything you need, I’m here.”
He paid up and hovered nearby like a loyal guard.
The others gathered around me.
Seren was green with envy. “Have you all lost your spine?”
“It’s not like she’s the first pretty girl you’ve ever seen.”
“Who knows what kind of work she had done—she’ll probably balloon up again tomorrow.”
“You’re all pathetic. You disgust me.”
But Seren, once the center of attention, was now invisible.
—
Nobody was listening.
Someone finally snapped back. “You bullied Elara the most.”
“She never did anything to deserve that.”
“You knew she’d be prettier than you, didn’t you?”
“That’s why you put her down.”
“Were you trying to steal her rich boyfriend this whole time?”
“She’s a total bitch. So disgusting.”
Seren lost it and started screaming at them.
Dorian’s face wasn’t much better.
He pushed through the crowd and grabbed my hand again.
“Back off. She’s my girlfriend.”
Afraid someone else might approach, he rushed me into his car and sighed.
“I’m doomed. Everyone’s a threat.”
“Maybe I need to start working out too—just to keep up with you.”
He really did transfer me another hundred thousand.
“Baby, I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
“Don’t break up with me, okay?”
He raised his hand like he was swearing an oath.
—
“Earlier, when I saw those old photos—I wasn’t upset because you looked different.”
“I was upset because I thought you didn’t trust me.”
“But after you explained, I understood why you hesitated.”
“I’m not mad. Seren just tried to stir things up.”
To make sure I believed him, he showed me his own childhood photos.
“Between you and me—I used to be a chubby kid too.”
“So I know what it’s like. I know how it feels.”
“You didn’t have to push yourself so hard. I’d like you at any size.”
His sincerity melted something in me.
Maybe this was why we’d clicked so easily back then.
Why we ended up together in the first place.
I let go of my worries—and we had our first real date.
Meanwhile, Seren posted my photos on the school forum, making me the hottest topic on campus overnight.