From Fat Girl to Fated Mate Chapter 04

From Fat Girl to Fated Mate Chapter 04

After stopping the steroids, my weight started dropping fast. 

Years of ballet had given me a great foundation, so I ate healthy and exercised every day. Within a month, I’d lost twenty pounds. 

My mom made me salad every day. And Julian, after hearing what I was going through, came with me to every checkup. 

“You’re going to be fine,” he always said. “I believe in you.” 

And every time I saw that gentle look in his eyes, my wolf would howl softly. 

But I kept pretending it wasn’t happening. 

By the second month, my ankle had fully healed. I practiced that dance routine until I could do it in my sleep. 

My mom went to the school and came home with my uniform. 

She was clearly angry. 

“XL. The club president said it was the largest they 

had. And she was rude about it.” 

“It’s okay, Mom.” I held the uniform up to myself. “If I suck in my stomach, I can probably fit into it.” 

At nearly five foot seven and 140 pounds, with my 

posture restored, I no longer looked like the fat girl 

I used to be. 

My mom hugged me tight. “They never really saw 

you before. Not once.” 

I hugged her back. “I’ll make them see.” 

I swore it. 

The night before the meet, the class group chat 

exploded. Everyone was hyping up our grade’s 

cheer squad. 

“Is Jessica going to be the school’s head 

cheerleader?” 

“Do you even need to ask? Obviously!” 

Then someone joked, “Wouldn’t it be funny if Josie 

got captain instead?” 

The replies flooded in: 

“That’d be a miracle.” 

“Hope Ethan doesn’t throw up on the spot.” 

I put down my phone, took a deep breath, and 

stepped on the scale. 

I let out a breath when I saw the number. 

The next morning, I stood at the side of the road in 

my uniform, trying to hail a taxi. A private car pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down. 

Julian smiled. “Need a ride?” 

“I’m going to school,” I said, surprised. “Are you 

sure?” 

“I’m headed that way anyway. My cousin forgot his 

gear. I’m dropping it off.” 

I got in the car. Soft music played. We drove in 

comfortable silence until I spoke. “Which cousin?” 

“Ethan,” Julian said, glancing at me. “He’s my 

cousin.” 

I was completely blindsided. 

“Oh.” I stared blankly ahead. “I… had no idea.” 

He dropped me off at the back entrance. I thanked 

Julian quickly and ran toward the classroom. I 

didn’t realize I’d left my uniform in his passenger 

seat until I got there. 

I couldn’t go back now. He was probably long 

gone. And I didn’t have my phone either. Damn it. 

To make things worse, Jessica and her squad 

were coming down the hall. 

As soon as they saw me, they stopped dead. 

“Josie? I can’t believe you actually showed up.” 

“Did she… lose weight or something?” 

I was still wearing my old XXXL hoodie, baggy 

enough to hide all the changes. 

“Come on, you’re imagining things.” 

“If anything, I think she gained more.” 

Jessica gave a sarcastic smirk. “Since you’re here, 

come get ready with us.” 

I hesitated. “I left my uniform in a friend’s car. I 

might need a spare.” 

Their faces twisted. 

“Are you serious? You lost your uniform? Why don’t 

you just lose yourself while you’re at it?” 

“The performance is in two hours. You did this on 

purpose!” 

“Fat, cowardly, and careless. How can one person 

have so many flaws?” 

I dug my nails into my palms. Why now, of all 

times? Why couldn’t I just get one thing right for 

once? 

Then footsteps echoed down the hall. 

“Josie.” Julian walked over, holding my garment 

bag. “You forgot this.” 

Then he looked coldly at the girls, his usual warm 

smile completely gone.