Chapter 1 - A new reality

Elena woke up with a pounding headache, the kind that made the room feel too bright and her bed too hot. She sat up slowly, her body heavy with the weight of last night’s drinks. The faint echo of the music still rang in her ears, but it wasn’t the memories of the party that caught her attention—it was the black faux leather dress crumpled on the floor, torn at the seams.

“Of course…” she muttered bitterly.

That dress had once been her go-to outfit for nights out. Back in her university days, it clung to her body like a second skin, hugging every curve perfectly. She used to feel like a goddess in it, receiving compliments and envious glances from everyone around her. But now… She struggled to stand, feeling the dull ache in her legs, and bent down to pick up the dress, examining the tear along the side. The fabric hadn’t failed—her body had changed. At some point during last night’s party, while she was attempting a clumsy spin on the dance floor, she had heard the unmistakable rip. In the harsh lights of the club, she’d felt every eye on her, each laugh behind her back, even if no one said anything out loud.

With a sigh, she moved toward the full-length mirror, a routine she dreaded but couldn’t avoid. Every morning, she faced her reflection, hoping it wouldn’t affect her as much as it always did. Standing in front of the glass, Elena’s gaze swept over her body, taking in the changes with a mix of disbelief and resignation.

Her stomach, once flat and firm, now pushed out slightly, rounding in a soft curve that spilled over the waistband of her pants. She ran a hand over it, her fingers sinking into the flesh that had once been taut. Her hips had widened too, and her thighs—once slim and toned—now brushed against each other when she walked, creating a friction she had never felt before. She stepped back from the mirror, staring at the soft folds of her body. Her skin, which used to stretch over defined muscles, now rested over a fuller, rounder shape.

She remembered her university days when walking through campus felt like she was on a runway. Guys would stare, girls would whisper, and even her professors seemed to treat her better. She had been the star of every party, able to get what she wanted with a single smile. That power had been intoxicating. Now, those same people barely acknowledged her existence, or worse, they looked at her with judgment in their eyes.

"How quickly things change," she thought bitterly.

Turning away from the mirror, Elena tried to shake off the thoughts, though they clung to her like a second shadow. She needed to get ready for work, even if the idea of facing her coworkers, always polished and slim, made her stomach tighten with anxiety.

Opening her closet, she pulled out her work uniform. It was a simple outfit, semi-formal: a white blouse, dark trousers, a vest, and a blazer. She had asked her boss for a larger size at least five times over the past two years. She remembered the first time she’d needed to make that request, embarrassed and hopeful that it would be the last. But each time, the fabric grew tighter, and her promises to herself to get back into shape were left unfulfilled.

She slipped on the blouse, tugging at the buttons until they barely closed, the fabric straining over her midsection. Her trousers, even though they were a size up from what she used to wear, clung tightly to her hips, the waistband digging into her skin. She pulled the belt on, but it pinched uncomfortably, leaving a red mark around her waist. Next came the vest, which barely buttoned over her chest and stomach, pulling tight against her body. Lastly, she reached for the blazer. Standing in front of the mirror, she tried to close it, but the buttons were inches away from meeting.

Elena sighed again.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she told herself, trying to drown out the constant reminder of how different her life had become, how her body was no longer the key to her confidence.

Elena grabbed her bag, feeling the fabric of her uniform pressing uncomfortably against her with every movement. There was no time to dwell on it, though. The discomfort would be her companion for the day, as usual. She headed for the door of her apartment, briefly reminiscing about the days when she used to ride her bike to work. Back then, she would wake up early, eat a light breakfast, and set out with the cool morning air brushing against her skin as she pedaled effortlessly through the city streets. She loved the freedom it gave her, the lightness she felt in her body. But those days were long gone.

She had given up cycling when the hills and streets started feeling like insurmountable challenges. What used to be an easy ride had become a humiliating struggle. Each day, her breathing got heavier, her legs burned more, and eventually, she just couldn’t do it anymore. That’s when she switched to public transport, although that experience wasn’t much better.

On the bus, the reality of her new body was impossible to escape. She spotted an empty seat, but when she sat down, her hips spilled over the edges, pressing into the space of the passenger next to her. She could feel their discomfort, even though they didn’t say anything. But Elena could hear the whispers around her, the subtle shifting of bodies trying to create more space. A young woman beside her moved slightly, attempting to maintain a distance that was impossible. Elena clenched her jaw, fighting the rising wave of self-consciousness.

—Remember how things used to be? —she thought, trying to comfort herself as she reached into her bag for her phone.

She pulled it out and scrolled through her photo gallery, stopping when she found an old picture of herself from a few years ago. In the image, she was smiling confidently, her slender legs shown off in a short dress that hugged her toned body perfectly. She remembered how it felt back then, to be admired without effort. Everywhere she went, people stared, doors opened for her, and at parties or clubs, men would line up for her attention.

Elena looked at the photo, then at her reflection in the bus window. The version of herself in the picture felt like a stranger. Her once sharp, defined jawline had softened, and the fullness of her belly and hips had transformed her body into something she barely recognized. She sighed softly, a twinge of sadness settling in her chest. She wasn’t sure if things could ever go back to the way they were, but the thought lingered in the back of her mind, even as she pushed it away.

Suddenly, a low growl came from her stomach. She pressed a hand to her belly, embarrassed by the noise, but it didn’t go unnoticed. She remembered with a flicker of excitement that today was pizza Monday at the office. It was a tradition that had started months ago, and though she had initially tried to control herself, now it was something she looked forward to. The thought of fresh, cheesy pizza made her smile despite herself, and her stomach rumbled again, louder this time, as if sharing in her anticipation.

For a brief moment, all the negative thoughts disappeared. Yes, her life had changed. Yes, her body was no longer the sleek, powerful tool it had once been. But right now, the only thing that mattered was the pizza waiting for her. It was a small pleasure, but it was enough to make the day feel a little bit better.

When the bus reached her stop, Elena stood up, feeling the familiar sensation of her thighs rubbing together as she walked down the aisle. Her hips brushed against people as she passed, and she heard some quiet snickers and whispers, but she ignored them. Her stomach growled again, even louder this time, almost as if it was urging her onward. There was comfort in these small indulgences, however fleeting they were.

As she stepped off the bus, she pulled out her phone once more, glancing at the old photo of herself one last time. Her smile faltered for a moment before she tucked the phone back into her bag. Today was pizza Monday, and for now, that was all she needed to focus on.