POV: Maria
One week later…
The holidays flew by faster than Maria expected. Every day felt like a dream — long hours spent trying on outfits, styling her hair, and admiring her reflection in the mirror.
For once, she didn't hide from her reflection. She loved it.
Her wardrobe was filled with new clothes she'd bought with Becky during their last shopping spree — from chic skirts to designer-inspired tops. Every outfit made her feel like the girl she had always dreamed of being.
The night before resumption, Maria and Becky stayed up late in her room, scrolling through Pinterest for style inspiration and gossiping like old times.
"Can you imagine Bryan's face when he sees you tomorrow?" Becky said, laughing as she kicked her legs on the bed.
Maria smiled, brushing her hair in front of the mirror. "He won't even recognize me."
Becky smirked. "And when he does?"
Maria giggled softly. "Let's just say he'll finally realize what he lost — even though he never had me."
Becky laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink. "Girl, I swear, you've changed. New body, new skin, new confidence!"
Maria smiled at her reflection. "It's about time the world sees the real me."
---
The next morning came bright and sunny.
Maria woke up early, her heart fluttering with excitement and nervous energy. She stood before her mirror in her crisp blue-and-white school uniform — perfectly ironed, neatly tucked, and hugging her new shape in all the right places.
Her hair fell softly around her shoulders, her pink lips glowed, and her skin looked flawless under the morning light. She applied a hint of lip gloss and perfume — nothing too much, just enough to turn heads.
Becky peeked into her room and froze.
"Girl… are you trying to shut down Fabulous High today?" she asked, laughing.
Maria twirled playfully. "You like it?"
"Like it?!" Becky gasped dramatically. "Maria, even the teachers will start blushing when they see you."
They both burst out laughing.
As they headed downstairs, Mrs. Sarah was waiting by the dining table. When she saw her daughter, she smiled proudly. "My goodness, Maria. You're glowing, my dear. All that hard work paid off."
Maria hugged her tightly. "Thanks, Mom. I'll make you proud this term."
Mrs. Sarah kissed her forehead. "You already have."
Becky smiled from behind. "Aww, mother-daughter goals."
Mrs. Sarah chuckled, waving them off. "You girls should go before you're late. Have a wonderful first day."
---
The car ride to school felt surreal. Maria stared out the window, her mind replaying all the times she had been mocked, laughed at, and called names.
Today, things would be different.
No one would call her a pig.
No one would look down on her again.
Today, they'd see the new Maria — confident, beautiful, and unbothered.
Becky nudged her gently. "Nervous?"
Maria smiled faintly. "A little. But mostly ready."
When the driver pulled up in front of Fabulous High, the gate was already buzzing with students returning from the break. Laughter, chatter, car horns — the usual chaos of first-day excitement filled the air.
Maria stepped out first.
And instantly, silence fell around the entrance.
Heads turned. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. A few juniors even dropped their phones.
Whispers started spreading like wildfire.
"Who's that?"
"She's new?"
"No way, that's not new — that's Maria!"
"Maria?! The same one?!"
Becky grinned beside her. "Told you, girl. You just broke Fabulous High."
Maria smiled gracefully, pretending not to notice the stares. Her steps were calm, confident — not rushed like before.
She held her bag on her shoulder, her chin slightly up, and walked through the gate like she owned it.
From across the parking lot, Joe froze the moment he saw her. His jaw dropped so fast that Bryan had to nudge him.
"Bro, what are you staring at?" Bryan asked lazily, scrolling through his phone.
Joe couldn't even speak. "Just… look up."
Bryan frowned, lifting his gaze — and when his eyes finally landed on Maria, his phone almost slipped from his hand.
He blinked once. Then twice.
"No way," he muttered. "Who… who's that?"
Joe smirked slowly, crossing his arms. "Told you she was real. That's Maria."
Bryan turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat. "Maria? Nah, you're lying."
Joe chuckled. "See for yourself, bro. The same girl you called a pig."
Bryan stared at her for what felt like forever. Every word he had said about her flashed through his mind — every insult, every laugh, every look of disgust. And now… she looked like something out of a dream.
His throat went dry.
Maria turned briefly — her eyes meeting his for just a second before she looked away, walking past him with a small, confident smile.
Bryan's lips parted, but no words came out.
Joe grinned, patting his shoulder. "I told you you'd freeze."
Bryan didn't respond. He just kept staring as Maria and Becky walked toward their classroom, their laughter echoing softly in the morning air.
And for the first time ever, the great Bryan Benson was speechless.
The moment Maria and Becky stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere changed instantly.
Before they walked in, the class had been its usual noisy self — laughter, gossip, and the sound of people dragging chairs. But as soon as Maria appeared at the doorway, everything stopped.
Every eye turned toward her.
Every voice went silent.
It was like someone had hit a "pause" button on the whole room.
Whispers began to spread like wildfire.
"Who's that?"
"She's too fine to be new."
"Wait… that's Maria, right?"
"No way, the old fat Maria?!"
"It's her! Becky's with her!"
Maria's lips curved into a small, calm smile. She walked in gracefully, pretending not to notice the stares or the gasps that followed her every step. Becky walked proudly beside her, her chin slightly raised — she loved the reaction.
Maria found her old seat near the window, dropped her bag, and sat down. Becky took the seat beside her.
Still, the class remained quiet — everyone watching as Maria neatly brought out her notebook, opened her textbook, and began jotting down notes like nothing unusual was happening.
Becky leaned closer and whispered, giggling softly, "Girl, they're acting like they just saw an angel descend from heaven."
Maria smirked. "Let them stare. I'm used to it now."
Just as she finished writing a line, a group of students near the back whispered loudly, "Finally, the bitches are here."
Maria didn't need to look up. She already knew who they meant — Rachel and Mimi.
A sudden hush spread through the room again. Everyone turned toward the door.
Rachel had just walked in, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floor, Mimi following behind her with her usual smug expression.
The two girls stopped mid-step when they saw Maria sitting at her desk.
Rachel's eyes widened. "Wait… what the hell?"
Mimi blinked, her jaw hanging open. "That can't be her…"
Whispers filled the room again.
"It's Maria."
"I swear it's her!"
"She's changed completely."
Rachel's shock slowly twisted into anger. She marched toward Maria's desk, her heels clapping angrily. The class held its breath.
When she reached Maria, she slammed her hand hard on the desk.
BANG!
But Maria didn't even flinch.
She calmly looked up from her book, her expression cool and unbothered. "How may I help you?"
The tone — polite, confident, collected — made Rachel freeze for a second. She hadn't expected that.
"This… this can't be you," Rachel stammered. "Where's the old Maria? The fat one? The one who used to sit here and cry?"
Maria tilted her head slightly, a calm smile on her lips. "She's gone."
Rachel's mouth opened, then closed again. She looked completely lost for words. "I… I want that Maria back. Not this fake version."
Maria returned her gaze to her book. "You can't bring back what's already changed. Get over it."
Gasps filled the classroom. Becky tried to hide her laughter, while the rest of the students looked on in awe.
Just then, the door opened — and in walked Bryan and Joe.
The chatter died down immediately. Everyone wanted to see what would happen next.
Bryan stood near the door, watching the scene unfold, his eyes locked on Maria. He still couldn't believe it was her. Joe folded his arms, trying not to grin.
Rachel noticed Bryan standing there and, desperate to save face, raised her voice. "You think you're better than me now, Maria?! You think you can just walk in here looking pretty and act like a queen?!"
Mimi nodded beside her, adding fuel. "Yeah, she probably starved herself for weeks to look like this."
Maria still didn't look up. She turned another page in her textbook.
The calmness irritated Rachel even more.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" she screamed, snatching Maria's notebook and throwing it on the floor.
The entire class gasped.
Becky stood up instantly, but Maria gently motioned for her to sit down. Then she looked up at Rachel, her voice still calm but sharper this time.
"What do you really want from me, Rachel?"
Rachel hesitated, her pride shaking. "I want to know what you did. I want to know how a nobody like you suddenly looks like this."
Maria gave a faint, knowing smile. "Some people improve, Rachel. You should try it sometime."
The class burst into muffled laughter. Rachel's face turned red.
Mimi tried to defend her. "Oh please, Maria. You think you're better now because you look different? You're still the same low-class—"
Maria's gaze shot to her, cold and sharp. "Be careful with your words, Mimi."
Rachel, trembling with rage, snapped back. "Don't warn her! You're still trash, Maria. And that mother of yours—"
The room went dead silent.
Maria's eyes hardened instantly. Everyone in class knew one thing about her — never insult her mother.
Before anyone could blink, Maria's hand flew across the air.
SLAP!
The sound echoed like thunder.
Rachel stumbled backward, completely losing her balance and crashing to the floor. Gasps erupted all over the room. Mimi froze, her eyes wide.
The class went silent again — no one dared to move. Even Bryan's mouth dropped slightly, stunned.
Rachel's cheek burned red, her pride shattered. After a long, heavy pause, she scrambled to her feet, her eyes watery with humiliation.
"You'll regret this, Maria!" she spat, her voice trembling. "You just made an enemy out of me."
Maria looked at her coldly. "Then stay out of my way."
Rachel glared for a moment, then turned and ran out of the classroom.
Mimi gave Maria one last glare and hissed, "Watch your back," before storming after her.
When the door slammed shut, the entire class erupted into whispers.
"Maria slapped Rachel!"
"She didn't even shout—she just did it!"
"I can't believe this is the same girl!"
Becky grinned proudly, turned to Maria, and raised her hand. "High five, queen."
Maria smirked and met her palm with a soft clap. "She had it coming."
They both laughed quietly as Maria bent to pick up her book, dusted it off, and calmly sat back down, flipping to the page she was on before the chaos.
Bryan was still standing at the door, staring at her — shocked, impressed, and confused all at once.
Joe leaned closer to him, whispering with a grin. "Told you, bro. The pig's gone. You're looking at the new queen of Fabulous High."
Bryan didn't answer. He just kept watching Maria, his mind spinning, his heart pounding for reasons he couldn't explain.