《Two Sides》


 The First Step

    Sienna knew the rules.


    Never sit at the wrong lunch table. Never talk too much or too little. Never wear the same hoodie two days in a row. And most importantly, never let them see you break.


    She had broken once. Sixth grade, a class presentation. Her hands had shaken, her face had gone red, and someone had whispered Loser. The laughter had spread, and she had wanted to disappear. That was the day she learned another rule. If you can¡¯t fit in, stay invisible.


    For years, she followed that rule. But now she was done hiding.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Sienna stood in front of her mirror, barely recognizing herself. The glasses she had worn since fourth grade were gone, replaced by contact lenses that made her eyes sting. Her dark brown hair, usually in a messy ponytail, was straightened so perfectly it looked fake. The hoodie she always wore was stuffed in the back of her closet. Instead, she had on a cropped sweater and jeans that felt too tight, too uncomfortable, too wrong.


    Her stomach felt heavy.


    This is what they wear. This is how they look. Blend in. Don¡¯t stand out.


    She had spent the past week watching them. The way they talked, the way they laughed, the way they carried themselves like they owned the school. She practiced in front of the mirror, forcing a smile, tilting her head slightly when pretending to listen. It still felt fake, but maybe if she did it enough, it would start to feel real.


    A knock on the door made her jump.


    "Sienna, you''re going to be late," her mom called.


    She swallowed hard. This was it. The first day of the new her.


    She grabbed her bag, took a deep breath, and stepped out the door, hoping today would be different.

 New Me?

    Sienna got into the car, hearing the engine roar to life. As the scenery passed by, her heart pounded like a drum. Her mind raced with questions.


    Would she fit in? Would the bullying finally stop? Would she find something new, something better?


    She had answers, too. Some were hopeful, some were doubtful, and some she didn¡¯t even want to think about.


    Time moved too fast. Before she knew it, the school was getting closer. She took a deep breath and turned to her mother.


    "Mom, can you drop me off here this time?"


    Her mother glanced at her, surprised. She always stopped the car right in front of the school gates, but today, Sienna wanted to arrive differently. Walking in from the side entrance seemed¡­ cooler. More natural.


    Her mom hesitated for a second, then nodded and pulled over behind the school.


    Sienna stepped out, waving smoothly before adjusting her sweater. But after a moment, she decided to leave it a little messy. It looked better that way.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    As she walked toward the side entrance, she saw a group of boys and girls laughing together. Taking another deep breath, she straightened her back and headed toward them, trying to look confident.


    A chuckle broke the air.


    "From nerd to cutie, huh?" Edward, one of the boys, grinned and spoke louder. "Are you sure that¡¯s the same Sienna we know?"


    Laughter followed.


    Before she could react, a girl she barely knew wrapped an arm around her shoulder, smiling. "This suits you so much~"


    Sienna didn''t know how to feel. Were they joking? Teasing? Complimenting her? Their faces gave nothing away. But there was one thing she did notice¡ªsomething she had never seen from boys before.


    Lust.


    One of them let his gaze wander lower. His smirk grew. "What legs you were hiding¡­"


    Her stomach twisted. The confidence she had built up disappeared in an instant. This wasn¡¯t what she wanted. Without another word, she stepped away, heading inside.


    Was this really the right way to change?


    The school bell rang, and classes began. Sienna sat in her usual seat, but the room felt different. People kept glancing at her, whispering. Even the teacher noticed.


    Minutes passed as he explained equations, numbers blending into nothing. Then, his voice cut through her thoughts.


    "Sienna, where is your notebook? It¡¯s not like you to space out in my class."


    Normally, she would have scrambled to apologize. But today, she just shrugged. The teacher frowned but moved on.


    The day was overwhelming. So much attention. So many looks. A part of her felt thrilled. Another part felt trapped.


    She wasn¡¯t sure who she was anymore.


    At home, she barely made it through the door before her mother¡¯s voice filled the air.


    "Sienna, can we have a talk?"


    She froze.


    Her mother¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t the same. There was something different in them. And Sienna wasn¡¯t sure she was ready for this conversation.