The morning felt different.
Not lighter – rather tenser, like a rubber band that could snap at any moment.
She had barely slept, lying awake for hours, hearing his words echoing over and over in her mind:
"You've lost weight."
"It was cruel."
She didn't know if it was comfort or even more pain that he had seen it, that he admitted it.
But she knew one thing: she could no longer appear weak.
Not in front of him. Not in front of Vanessa. Not in front of anyone.
---
She showed up at school with her head held high, even though every step cost her energy.
Fatigue clung to her bones, but she forced her shoulders straight.
Her friend grinned with relief when she came in.
"You look better today."
"Thanks," she murmured, even though it wasn't true.
She had just applied more rouge, emphasized her eyes with black kohl, lightly colored her lips – armor made of color.
Vanessa sat with her entourage as usual, phone in hand, voice too loud.
"So, he walked me home again yesterday."
