The Ugly Girl Turned Pretty [Full Series] - Completed episodes.
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00:04why are you confessing to me fatty the fat girl has a crush that's adorable
00:17you don't actually think I meant you were pretty do you
00:25the cinnamon roll I gave him landed in the trash
00:29the whole class couldn't stopping laughing did you really think a fat pig like you had a shot with
00:36me that's Chase Sullivan the star quarterback every girl at Lincoln High wants him
00:55and then there's me I'm just Tessa Lane
01:01everyone here just calls me fatty
01:08I just confessed to him in front of the entire class
01:13it was the worst day of my life but here's what nobody knows three weeks ago that same guy told
01:20me I was beautiful oops move it fatty Tyler knocked my lunch tray out of my hands on purpose everyone
01:31walked past me laughing then a hand reached down and helped me pick it up it was Chase he pulled
01:43me to my
01:44feet ignore them they're trash I said what I always say it's okay I'm used to it they're right aren't
01:53they he grabbed my chin and made me look at him you're pretty don't let anyone tell you different
02:01then he walked off like it was nothing
02:06three weeks it was all I could think about
02:10a guy like that had been kind to me
02:13I actually thought I had a chance
02:16so
02:17I did something insane
02:20I bought him a cinnamon roll
02:24then in front of everyone I walked up to his desk
02:29confessed my feelings to him
02:33Chase I I like you
02:36you already saw how that went
02:40why are you confessing to me you don't actually think I meant you were pretty do you
02:44the fat girl has a crush that's adorable
02:47I looked around the classroom everyone was laughing at me and I understood no one would believe a guy like
02:55Chase would like me
03:02I cried in a bathroom stall until my eyes swelled shut
03:08I pulled myself together and came out of the bathroom
03:11then I went back to my seat
03:13Hannah the one girl who still ate lunch with me she was my only friend at least that's what I
03:18believed
03:19don't be upset Tess he didn't mean it
03:21you can't really blame him though he was always nice to you and after he was so nice to you
03:26you confessed in front of everyone
03:28you grossed him out you really did the worst part was that I agreed with her
03:33you're right I got way ahead of myself
03:36I'll apologize when he's back
03:38good just say sorry it'll blow over
03:41you're cute you know you're soft and round like a marshmallow
03:45I let that go and gave her a small smile
03:48but Chase didn't come back that day
03:50and I never did get to say sorry
03:57the next morning
03:58his buddy came to clear out the seat beside me
04:02Chase is out three days
04:03he got so grossed out he threw up
04:05he asked Ms. Dawson to move him
04:11it's not about you don't read into it
04:13but it was about me
04:16it always had been
04:19Chase came back after three days
04:22he walked in with his arm around the prettiest girl in school
04:26it was Madison Pierce
04:27captain of the cheer squad
04:29she tormented me since freshman year
04:33Chase you actually got a girlfriend
04:36so is this real or are you two messing around
04:38Madison pouted
04:40all fake offense
04:41what's that supposed to mean
04:43I don't let just anyone touch me
04:45Chase lifted an eyebrow and didn't deny
04:48half the class started cheering them on
04:53I looked down at my books and went quiet
04:55at least no one cared about my little scene anymore
05:00after that Chase and I didn't speak for a long time
05:02I got used to sitting alone in English
05:05head down, working
05:07and slowly something happened that nobody expected
05:10on the next practice essay
05:12I ached it
05:13it was the first time I ever beat Ethan
05:16Ethan was the kid who topped every class
05:19I've never scored higher than him
05:21when class ended
05:22he dragged his chair beside me
05:24he smirked at my shocked face
05:28Miss Dawson told me to learn from you
05:31I'm your new seatmate
05:33show me the ropes
05:35for the first time in months
05:37I had someone next to me again
05:38I was happy
05:40then I glanced up without thinking
05:42Chase was watching us from across the room
05:44his face was ice cold
05:46he'd clearly been staring a while
05:48he looked away first
05:49with a strange little smile
05:51I figured my confession had disgusted him for good
05:54he couldn't even stand to see me doing okay
06:00the next day Ethan brought me two cinnamon rolls
06:03he set them on my desk
06:06for me?
06:07yeah
06:07it's a thank you
06:09I took them with both hands
06:12I never let good food go to waste
06:16a soft laugh came from beside us
06:19Chase stood there
06:20hoodie zipped to his chin
06:22he leaned both hands on Ethan's desk
06:24and looked him over
06:25buddy
06:27I didn't know you had such unique taste
06:29his eyes were bright and mean
06:32what's that supposed to mean?
06:34Ethan's face hardened
06:35Chase dropped a stack of postcards
06:37on our desks
06:40every woman on postcards
06:42had been drawn fat and ugly on purpose
06:45these are for you
06:46you like this type right?
06:49do you want posters tomorrow too?
06:51who the hell likes pigs?
06:52Ethan shoved his chair
06:54face dark red
06:55Chase wasn't even mad
06:56he raised a brow
06:58and let out a slow
06:59huh
06:59you switched seats
07:01I figured you were into her
07:02no?
07:05his friends howled
07:06and we became the focus
07:07of the class again
07:08Ethan cursed under his breath
07:11he hauled his stuff
07:12back to his old seat
07:13neither of them
07:14looked at me once
07:15but every word
07:16was I
07:17was about me
07:18the cinnamon rolls
07:19sat there
07:20and went cold
07:22before Chase walked off
07:23I made myself speak
07:24why are you doing this?
07:26he stopped beside me
07:27and stared at the back wall
07:29he didn't answer
07:31instead
07:31he asked his own question
07:33low and cruel
07:35what are you that desperate
07:37for attention?
07:38you throw yourself
07:39at every guy
07:39who's nice to you?
07:43after that
07:44the whole class
07:45kept their distance
07:46the boys avoided me
07:47none of the girls
07:48wanted to talk either
07:50people like the warm
07:51easy go ones
07:52I was just the quiet
07:54fat girl in the corner
07:55but I didn't think about
07:57changing myself
07:57for anyone
07:58the one time I tried
07:59it was for Chase
08:00look how that turned out
08:03I didn't even like him anymore
08:05so what was the point?
08:06that Friday
08:07gym class got a free activity time
08:09then the rain came
08:10hard and fast
08:11everyone bolted
08:12for the doors at once
08:13I hadn't even cleared the field
08:15when my knee twisted under me
08:16a sharp pain shot up my leg
08:18and my knee buckled
08:19my legs wouldn't hold me at all
08:21I went down on the wet track
08:22and couldn't get up
08:23the crowd kept running for cover
08:25nobody even slowed down
08:27two girls splashed past
08:28barely glancing down
08:30wait is that Fatty on the ground?
08:32ugh
08:32leave her
08:33I'm not getting soaked for her
08:35and they were gone too
08:37then two pairs of legs
08:38stopped right next to me
08:39someone was finally there
08:41I grabbed a pant leg
08:43without thinking
08:43rain running into my mouth
08:45please
08:45I think my knee gave out
08:47I can't stand up on my own
08:48can you help me?
08:49the legs went still
08:50then a hand peeled my fingers
08:51off the fabric
08:52and a voice said one word
08:54no
08:59I looked up
09:00it was Chase
09:02Madison laughed behind her hand
09:05I knew you'd hurt yourself eventually
09:07now you can't even stand up
09:09Chase held the umbrella over her
09:11and stepped around me
09:12I can't help you
09:13his voice came flat through the rain
09:15and they walked away
09:17I sat there alone in the downpour
09:20in the end
09:21I dragged myself up
09:22off that track by myself
09:24I limped the long way
09:26to the front office
09:30I didn't want anyone
09:32to see me cry
09:32I was still solling
09:34when Miss Dawson
09:35our English teacher
09:36walked in
09:37a new guy trailed behind her
09:40he wore a mask
09:41and a baseball cap pulled low
09:42you couldn't see
09:44an inch of his face
09:45Adrian Vance
09:46you'll sit next to Tressa
09:48he sat down without a word
09:52Tyler of course
09:53couldn't keep his mouth shut
09:55look at this guy
09:56his face is all covered up
09:57I bet he's hideous
10:00Madison leaned over
10:01from Chase's side
10:02he asked me
10:04why else would he hide it
10:08Tyler grinned
10:09look it's the ghost
10:10and the fat chick
10:11are they a new couple
10:19the new guy said nothing
10:20Adrian and I went
10:22almost a month
10:23without a word
10:24after the Ethan disaster
10:26I wasn't about
10:27to get close to anyone
10:28then one lunch
10:29I saw him slumped
10:30over his desk
10:32his hand was pressed
10:33hard to his stomach
10:34his shoulders were shaking
10:36I hesitated
10:38then I walked over
10:43hey
10:45is it your stomach
10:47he gave a low
10:48mmm
10:49sweat had broken out
10:50on the back of his neck
10:51he was in real pain
10:55let me take you to the nurse
10:57he didn't pull away
10:58when I touched him
11:03he's almost 6 foot 3
11:05and most of him
11:06leaned on me
11:07good thing I'm built solid
11:09or we'd both have hit the floor
11:11the nurse gave him medicine
11:12and sent me for plain broth
11:17when I got back
11:18only Adrian was left in the office
11:22his one visible eye watched me
11:24half amused
11:26you think I'm hideous
11:28and you still help me
11:29that's pretty kind seatmate
11:31I blinked
11:34huh
11:35I'm not grossed out by you
11:37I figured you hated me
11:38that's why I never talked to you
11:41he raised an eyebrow
11:43why would I hate you
11:44I'd said it a hundred times
11:46it came out easy
11:48because I'm fat
11:51Adrian laughed
11:52low and clear
11:54the eye looking back at me
11:56was warm
11:57it was even beautiful
11:59it was nothing
12:00like a face
12:01you'd need to hide
12:03then why do you always wear a mask
12:05want to see for yourself
12:06before I could answer
12:08his fingers hooked
12:09under the strap of his mask
12:13the nurse came in
12:15and told us we could leave
12:17in the end
12:18I still didn't get to see
12:19Adrian's face
12:21after that
12:22Adrian slowly thawed
12:23he stayed strange about
12:26he never took off the mask
12:27or the cap
12:28he never spoke to anyone but me
12:31somewhere in there
12:32my body began to change
12:36my clothes began hanging loose
12:39Gran was thrilled
12:43she just wanted me eating real meals again
12:46for the first time in years
12:48I didn't feel like hiding
12:52here's the funny thing
12:53the first person at school to notice
12:56was Chase
12:59I just finished lunch
13:00on a bench outside
13:03I was carrying my empty container
13:05back inside
13:08are you skipping meals again?
13:15that's none of your business
13:16let go Chase
13:20you'll make yourself pass out
13:21is that what you want?
13:23I was cranky
13:24and worn out
13:27let go
13:28or I'll bite you
13:33you really can't tell
13:34when someone's trying to help you?
13:36that's a nice act
13:40this boy threw my heart in the trash
13:43now he was worried
13:44I wasn't eating
13:46screw you
13:50the room was almost empty
13:51when I got back
13:53Adrian was slumped over
13:54his desk again
13:56is it your stomach?
13:57he lifted his head
13:58lashes trembling
14:00I went to get medicine
14:02I forgot where the nurse's office is
14:04his eyes looked wet
14:05he seemed so pitiful
14:07Tessie
14:08it hurts so bad
14:09my sympathy kicked in instantly
14:11I'll get it right now
14:12wait here
14:13he forced himself up
14:15I'll come too
14:16I should learn the way
14:17I held his arm
14:18and we headed out
14:19on the stairs
14:20we ran straight into Chase
14:23Adrian lost his footing
14:24and fell against me
14:26he buried his head
14:27in my shoulder
14:28I can't walk
14:29let me rest a second
14:30I didn't have the heart
14:32to say no
14:32Chase's eyes went cold
14:34the second he saw us
14:35he stepped toward me
14:37then Tyler and Madison
14:38caught up
14:39Tyler took one look
14:40and yelped
14:41whoa
14:42it's fatty and the ghost
14:43what is this?
14:45Adrian
14:46who couldn't stand
14:47a second ago
14:47straightened right up
14:49his voice came out
14:50flat and dead
14:51what did you just call her?
14:53Tyler shrugged
14:54I called her fatty
14:56what she's not fat?
14:57Adrian's mouth curved
14:59she's not
14:59you're just ugly
15:01I dragged him off
15:02before Tyler could swing
15:03next time
15:04ignore him
15:04he's a state wrestling champ
15:06he'll destroy you
15:07Adrian smiled
15:08faint
15:09and strange
15:10but he bullies you Tessie
15:12I can't let anyone bully you
15:16the next day
15:17Tyler showed up
15:18with his face wrecked
15:19his nose was swollen
15:21and both eyes
15:22were black and blue
15:23no way anyone
15:24at this school did this
15:25Chase is the only guy
15:27who could ever
15:27take me down
15:28if I find who jumped me
15:30I'll kill him
15:31another boy cut in
15:32bored
15:33forget that
15:33listen
15:34I walked past the office
15:35and heard Dean Whitfield
15:36Dean Whitfield ran
15:37the whole school
15:38some rich kid
15:40just transferred
15:40into our senior class
15:41his family owns
15:42a huge company
15:43he's already got a spot
15:44at a top university
15:45who do you think it is
15:46I looked up
15:48Adrian's clear eyes
15:49were already on me
15:50he pointed at his worksheet
15:52smile sweet and harmless
15:54Tessie
15:55can you help me
15:56with this one
15:57weeks passed
15:58spring came
15:59Madison was running
16:00rehearsals for the
16:01spring pep rally
16:02she was taking
16:03everyone's uniform sizes
16:04when she reached me
16:06she barely looked up
16:07Tessa
16:08what size are you
16:09she asked it like
16:10she already knew
16:10the humiliating answer
16:11I answered quietly
16:13I wear a small
16:14the second I said it
16:16the studio went
16:17dead silent
16:18every head turned
16:20somewhere in those months
16:21no one had been
16:22paying attention
16:23the fat girl
16:24they loved to mock
16:25had disappeared
16:26holy crap
16:27is that Tessa
16:28I always said her face
16:29would be gorgeous
16:30Madison's smile
16:31vanished completely
16:34Ethan hadn't spoken
16:35to me in months
16:36now he stared
16:37like he'd never
16:37seen me before
16:38he caught me looking
16:39and went red
16:39then he turned
16:40to Madison
16:41the lead dancer
16:42hasn't decided yet
16:43why not give it
16:44to Tessa
16:44the lead always
16:45went to Madison
16:45her smile
16:46barely held
16:47Tessa just started
16:48I'm not sure
16:49she can handle it
16:49Ethan shrugs
16:50he's got the look
16:51we'll figure out
16:52the rest
16:53Tyler shot up
16:54what's your deal
16:55sticking up for
16:56the fat chick
16:57she changes a little
16:58and now you like her
16:59so what if I do
17:00she'd never want
17:01me anyway
17:02and something about
17:03that hit chase
17:04he hurled his cup
17:05across the room
17:06the whole class froze
17:08my hand slipped
17:09he crouched to pick
17:10up the glass
17:10he sliced his palm
17:11open
17:12he didn't even flinch
17:14blood ran off his
17:15fingers as he walked
17:16to my desk
17:16his eyes found my
17:18box of band-aids
17:19can I get one
17:20it won't stop bleeding
17:21I looked away from
17:22chase and shook
17:23my head
17:23his blood wasn't
17:25my problem anymore
17:26the color drained
17:27from his face
17:28and his voice dropped
17:29to almost nothing
17:30I get it now
17:34they gave me
17:35the lead solo
17:36after that
17:37came a string
17:38of firsts
17:38I made the school's
17:40anonymous crush page
17:41on Instagram
17:42a boy asked
17:43for my number
17:44a guy from
17:45another class
17:46came by
17:46at break
17:47Tessa
17:48I got you
17:49a frappuccino
17:50I turned him down
17:52out of habit
17:52Adrian stopped him
17:53before he could leave
17:55he propped his chin
17:56on his hand
17:56and tugged my sleeve
17:58Tessie
17:59my blood sugar's low
18:00I want that frappuccino
18:02but I've got no cash
18:03his lazy tone
18:04wasn't fooling anyone
18:06it's fine
18:06I've got money
18:07I counted out
18:08five bucks
18:09and held it out
18:10can I buy your frappuccino
18:12my seatmate wants it
18:13the guy looked like
18:14he'd swallowed a bug
18:15but sticking close
18:16to Adrian came at a price
18:17soon the whole school
18:19was talking
18:19that newly pretty girl
18:21likes the ghost
18:22I saw his face once
18:24it had burn scars
18:25everywhere
18:26it was disgusting
18:27Adrian never took
18:29the mask off
18:29in public
18:30if it weren't for me
18:31none of it would have
18:32touched him
18:32so I started pulling away
18:35he noticed
18:36one morning
18:37he kept his eyes down
18:38Tessie you can switch seats
18:41I'm used to being alone
18:43don't get tied to me
18:45who told you to say that
18:46he gave me names
18:47after I pushed
18:48they were all boys
18:49who'd been kind to me
18:50he used to shut people up
18:52for me
18:52now it was my turn
18:54I tracked them down
18:55and warned them
18:56one more rumor
18:57and I'd call the police
18:58when Adrian heard
19:00he hid his face
19:01shoulders shaking
19:02I figured he was just touched
19:04I had no idea
19:05what he really was
19:09Chase and Madison broke up
19:11at lunch
19:11Adrian and I
19:12were walking ahead of them
19:13behind us
19:14Tyler was consoling Chase
19:16don't be sad man
19:17the next one's better
19:18Chase passed us
19:19without slowing
19:20sad about what
19:22I never liked her anyway
19:23Adrian tipped his chin
19:24toward them
19:25seatmate
19:25it sounds like a dog
19:26barking back there
19:27that spring
19:29my acceptance letters
19:30came back
19:31it was better
19:32than I'd dreamed
19:33the day after
19:34the last one landed
19:35our class held
19:36a graduation dinner
19:37I ran into Chase
19:39outside the restaurant
19:40he was leaning
19:41against a tree
19:41a cigarette burning
19:43in his hand
19:44his stare
19:45crawled over me
19:46I looked away
19:47and tried to slip past
19:49he caught my wrist
19:50and pulled me back
19:51against his chest
19:52are you out of your mind?
19:53I swung at him
19:54he caught my other hand
19:55without even looking
19:56no matter how I beg now
19:59you'll never give me a chance
20:01right?
20:02I don't know what you mean
20:04and the act
20:05you know exactly what I mean
20:06he turned my chin
20:07to face him
20:09I made sure you heard me say
20:10I never liked Madison
20:11I went still
20:13after a moment
20:13I looked straight into his eyes
20:16yeah
20:17I know
20:18I know more than that
20:19I know you liked me
20:20back then too
20:21that's the only reason
20:22I was stupid enough
20:23to confess
20:27for a second
20:27I was back in that hallway
20:29you're pretty
20:30don't let anyone
20:31tell you or not
20:32his hand was under my chin
20:33his voice was low
20:34meant only for me
20:35I'd carried that one sentence
20:37around for three weeks
20:38I believed it enough
20:39to walk up to his desk
20:40I humiliated myself
20:42in front of everyone
20:42he was right about one thing
20:44I really had crush on him
20:46more than I ever admitted
20:47however
20:48he let the whole school
20:49grind me into the floor for it
20:50outside the restaurant
20:52Chase's grip on my wrist
20:54finally loosened
20:55yeah
20:55he kept his eyes down
20:57he pulled out a bleak little smile
20:59I liked you early on
21:01but being with you
21:02cost too much
21:03there were the scornful stares
21:05and the jokes
21:05so you don't get to ask me
21:07for a chance now either
21:08I couldn't listen
21:09to his late confession
21:10I turned and walked off
21:12a few steps away
21:13I heard him again
21:14his voice was quiet
21:15maybe just for himself
21:17but I like you more
21:18than any of them ever will
21:19I calmed myself down
21:21and went into the private room
21:22Adrian wasn't there yet
21:24Ms. Dawson waved me over
21:25beaming
21:26you did great
21:28have a seat
21:30Madison had been glaring
21:31since I walked in
21:32then she smiled
21:33slow and sweet
21:34don't let the grades fool you
21:36Tessa's got a secret boyfriend
21:37what are you talking about
21:39we've graduated
21:40there's no harm in telling now
21:41she turned to Ms. Dawson
21:43it's her seatmate Adrian
21:44Ms. Dawson's eyes widened slightly
21:47Madison wasn't done
21:49don't be shy
21:50just because he's hideous
21:51Tessa
21:51have him take the mask off later
21:53show everyone the scars
21:55I could take the rumors about me
22:02I couldn't take the lies about him
22:04Madison
22:05have you actually seen scars
22:07on Adrian's face?
22:09she faltered
22:10no
22:10no
22:11but you'll make it up anyway?
22:14everyone says so
22:15I nodded and used her own logic
22:17right back
22:18everyone also says
22:19you bribed your way
22:20to third place
22:20at the audition
22:21by your rules
22:22that's a fact too
22:23right?
22:25Madison panicked
22:27who's spreading that?
22:30she spun around
22:31hunting for a guilty face
22:33which class is that
22:34rich transfer in?
22:35is he hot?
22:36he has to be
22:36he is so rich
22:37across the room
22:39another group
22:40was grilling
22:40Mrs. Dawson
22:41the noise was so loud
22:42that I couldn't think
22:44then the door opened
22:46the whole room
22:47went silent
22:48every eye
22:49landed on the boy
22:50standing in it
22:50he had the kind of face
22:52you only see on a screen
22:53a girl near the door
22:54blushed
22:55um
22:56who are you here for?
22:58Miss Dawson smiled
23:00you don't recognize him?
23:02he's the rich one
23:03you were just talking about
23:04Madison's voice cracked
23:06Adrian?
23:08that model is the rich guy?
23:12Miss Dawson pushed
23:13frozen me
23:14toward him
23:15and he's Tessa's boyfriend
23:16this gorgeous stranger
23:18raised one lazy brow
23:19he looked me over
23:21and gave a low
23:21hmm
23:22I said yes
23:25yes to what?
23:28no wonder his worksheeps
23:30were always perfect
23:31I always said his eyes
23:32were too good
23:33for an ugly guy
23:34the dinner dissolved
23:35into gasps
23:36Adrian walked me home
23:38and finally explained
23:39at first he wore the mask
23:40after a bad fight
23:41the fight had left
23:43his face cut up
23:44after it healed
23:45it just became a habit
23:46you have such good grades
23:48and wealthy family
23:49why do you have to do this?
23:50he looked at me
23:51slow and easy
23:53for you
23:54girlfriend
23:55wait
23:56you've got it wrong
23:57Madison just
23:58this is my first time
24:00dating anyone
24:01his eyes went soft
24:02and quiet
24:03not many people back home
24:05ever liked me
24:06I grew up getting
24:07compared to everyone
24:08I always fell short
24:10I got passed around a lot
24:12his voice stayed flat
24:14but his eyes didn't
24:15my throat tightened
24:16money hadn't made
24:18anything easier
24:18don't be sad for me
24:20someone finally picked me
24:22instead of leaving
24:23that's enough
24:25he'd made peace
24:26with being treated
24:26like he didn't matter
24:27that was the part
24:28that broke my heart
24:29so when he asked again
24:31what Madison had gotten wrong
24:32I didn't deny it
24:35nothing
24:36I swallowed
24:37I swallowed
24:39boyfriend
24:40and right then
24:42I started to fall for him too
24:44but neither of us knew one thing
24:46in three months
24:48the worst person from my past
24:50would live one dorm over
24:53our city
24:54our city had a whole cluster
24:55of good schools
24:57Adrian had a spot
24:58waiting at the wax
24:59to my first pick
25:00when he turned it down
25:01to follow me
25:02his family didn't care at all
25:05by the end of summer
25:06I was officially
25:07his girlfriend
25:08he took everything slow
25:10the boldest he'd gotten
25:11was a kiss on the forehead
25:12at my door
25:13other than being
25:14impossibly clingy
25:15the boy had no flaws
25:18however
25:19college killed my illusions
25:21on day one
25:21two of my three roommates
25:23ignored me
25:24when I said hi
25:26the third one
25:27was Madison
25:27her dancing
25:28had gotten her in
25:29she smiled at me
25:31slow and knowing
25:33what a coincidence
25:36it was not a good one
25:41at dinner
25:42Adrian mentioned
25:43Chase was in his major
25:46I groaned
25:47then I remembered
25:48Chase could flatten
25:49Tyler easily
25:50don't fight Chase alone
25:52you can't win
25:53if he starts something
25:54tell your RA
25:55if it's bad
25:56we call the cops
25:57Adrian was picking
25:59carrots out of my food
26:00not looking up
26:02how do you know
26:02I can't win
26:03don't be a hero
26:04he is really good
26:06at fighting
26:06you saw what someone
26:07did to Tyler's face
26:08it was the wrong
26:09thing to say
26:10Adrian's face fell
26:11he slid my plate
26:13back to me
26:13the carrots
26:14picked clean off it
26:15I get it
26:16I'm the weak one
26:17I'll stay out of his way
26:18I'd forgotten how fragile he was
26:20he barely spoke the rest of dinner
26:22but he still cut up my chicken
26:23the whole time
26:24quiet
26:24I should have been worried
26:25about Chase
26:26I had no idea
26:27the real danger started
26:28when I joined the dance team
26:30after dinner
26:31we did the college couple thing
26:33and walked to the lake
26:34I apologized
26:35I apologized the whole way
26:36until he finally thawed
26:39Adrian pulled me in
26:40and tucked his head
26:41against my neck
26:42Tessie
26:43cheer me up
26:45I am cheering you up
26:47it's not enough
26:48his breath went warm
26:49against my ear
26:50kiss me
26:52okay
26:53a shiver ran
26:54straight through me
26:57where
26:58our voices kept dropping lower
27:01he tugged his collar down
27:03and bared his neck
27:04here
27:08I went up on my toes
27:09his hand caught the back of my head
27:11his voice came out rough
27:13leave a mark Tessie
27:14tell everyone I'm yours
27:17I did what he taught me
27:18I started soft
27:19then gave a light bite
27:20after a few tries
27:22I left my first mark on him
27:23my face went scarlet
27:25and I shoved him back
27:26okay
27:26I'm done
27:28he bent to meet my eyes
27:29smiling
27:30and ran his thumb
27:31over my lip
27:33you're really good at that
27:34something in his voice
27:36tugged at me
27:36that felt nice
27:38leave a few more next time
27:39okay
27:40wait
27:41wasn't this supposed
27:42to go both ways
27:43why wouldn't he ever
27:44just kiss me
27:45I stared at him
27:46and shook my head
27:47no
27:48let him sit with that
27:49and make the first move
27:50for once
27:51but the truth was simpler
27:52and I was too dumb
27:53to see it
27:54there was a reason
27:55Adrian held himself back
27:57and it had nothing
27:58to do with being shy
28:01preseason for the dance squad
28:02was basically a boot camp
28:05the upper classer ran it
28:06after everything I'd survived
28:08it barely fazed me
28:09our squad captain
28:11was a junior named Brett
28:12he thought being in charge
28:13meant he owned us
28:14by the end of week one
28:15things changed
28:16half the new girls
28:17were crushing on the older guys
28:18Brett supposedly
28:20hadn't picked a favorite
28:23then he started
28:24fixing my form
28:26Tessa
28:27lift your arm higher
28:33his breath
28:34was on my neck
28:37you can just tell me
28:39he didn't take the hint
28:43you're hopeless rookie
28:45I don't get hands on
28:47for everybody
28:48on a break
28:49Madison sat beside him
28:51and stirred the pot
28:52Brett's so good to you
28:54Tessa
28:54you should think about him
28:57I have boyfriend
28:59you have a boyfriend?
29:02you've got one
29:03and didn't say?
29:04were you leading me on?
29:06that's trashy
29:10did you ever ask?
29:11and trust me
29:12you're not worth leading on
29:18how dare you
29:20talk to him
29:20like that
29:21your boyfriend's
29:22a spinless creep
29:23the anger hit
29:24before I could think
29:28I warned you
29:30not to trash
29:31Adrian
29:32you hit me?
29:46you started it
29:47sit out of practice
29:48and run laps
29:49till I say stop
29:55the next day
29:56Bette made me run drills
29:58alone under a brutal sun
30:00by the time the others broke
30:02I'd barely had a minute to breathe
30:04by dusk
30:05I was completely ringed out
30:07I was too tired
30:08to even stand up
30:09it took a call from Adrian
30:10to get me downstairs
30:12somewhere in there
30:13I started to cry
30:15Adrian
30:16today was the worst
30:17Brett ran me into the ground
30:19over nothing
30:21I just want a cinnamon roll
30:28once you're done
30:29go rest
30:29I've got something
30:30to take care of
30:31I'll find you later
30:34sure
30:35go ahead
30:39but I'd already seen
30:40the text that lit up
30:41his screen
30:44so I followed him
30:45silent
30:45the whole way
30:46for some reason
30:47I thought of Tyler's
30:48wrecked face in high school
30:49I thought of the rich kid
30:50no one could ever identified
30:51every boy who bullied me
30:52had turned up hurt
30:53the pieces started
30:54clicking into place
30:55and every single one of them
30:56pointed at the same thing
30:57Adrian had been hiding
30:58what he really was
30:59this whole time
31:01through the club window
31:02my hunch came true
31:04Adrian took down
31:05all four of them alone
31:06without a scratch
31:07Brett was included
31:08there was a menace
31:10in his face
31:10I'd never seen before
31:11hey rookie
31:12you had your eye
31:13on my girlfriend
31:14no no I swear
31:16Brett could barely
31:16get the words out
31:17she had a hard day
31:19how are you gonna
31:20make that right
31:20he drew his arm back
31:21Adrian
31:21he froze
31:24I crouched
31:25and took the bottle
31:26from his hand
31:27I'm sorry
31:28then after a moment
31:30he spoke again
31:31are you going to
31:33leave me
31:33now
31:34his eyes were red
31:35and churning
31:36it was nothing like
31:37his harmless act
31:38at school
31:38I'm not leaving you
31:40over something this small
31:41I just can't figure out
31:42why you lied to me
31:43because you don't like me
31:44you pity me
31:46I figured if I stopped
31:47seeming pathetic
31:47you'd go
31:48he said it so quietly
31:49look at me
31:50what I feel is real
31:52I don't date anyone
31:54out of pity
31:54I cupped his face
31:57so I leaned in
31:58and kissed him
32:00on the way out
32:01Chase was waiting
32:02in the alley
32:02so you're into
32:03thugs now
32:04he throws a few
32:06punches and you're his
32:07Adrian stepped forward
32:09I caught his arm
32:10and I emptied
32:11my pepper spray
32:12straight into
32:13Chase's face
32:15he staggered
32:16back into a tree
32:18clawing at his eyes
32:20nobody helped him
32:21he looked like
32:23the old me
32:23alone on that
32:25wet track
32:26Chase
32:28watching you
32:28like this
32:29I think I finally
32:30walked out of that
32:31rain
32:33it turns out
32:35at Adrian
32:35doesn't only
32:36solve things
32:36with his fists
32:38he'd already
32:39gathered proof
32:40that Brett
32:40had harassed
32:41other girls
32:43he'd also
32:44gathered proof
32:44that Madison
32:46bribed a judge
32:46he handed all
32:47of it to the
32:48school
32:48by the next
32:49morning
32:49Madison was
32:50expelled
32:51and Brett
32:51was suspended
32:52it happened
32:53terrifyingly fast
32:56my mom
32:57went here too
32:58she donated
32:58the library
32:59a few years
32:59back
33:01right now
33:01she's funding
33:02two new
33:02dorms
33:03of course
33:04she was
33:05I ran into
33:06Mrs. Vance
33:06at Adrian's
33:07mother on
33:08campus once
33:09thinking of
33:10his lonely
33:10childhood
33:11I begged
33:12her to be
33:12kinder to him
33:13she gave me
33:14a thin smile
33:15that brat
33:16told you
33:16we abandoned
33:17him
33:18and that he
33:18had it rough
33:19I nodded
33:20heartbroken
33:25in seventh grade
33:27he didn't want
33:28to spend the
33:28holiday at home
33:29so he stole
33:30his dad's phone
33:31he had the
33:32private jet
33:32fueled for
33:33Cancun
33:36he planned
33:37to go alone
33:37we caught him
33:39at the gate
33:39he was panicked
33:40his father would
33:41ground him for
33:42life
33:42so he chugged
33:43a bottle of
33:44dish slope
33:45to stall us
33:46she smirked
33:48we spent
33:49all night
33:49in the ERA
33:50otherwise
33:51he'd still
33:51be burping
33:52bubbles
33:52when he talks
33:55I had no words
33:56we got engaged
33:57the summer
33:58before our
33:58senior year
33:59of college
34:00after the ceremony
34:01a little drunk
34:02he pulled me
34:02onto a porch
34:03swing
34:03he thought back
34:05to the first
34:05time he saw me
34:07you looked like
34:07a walking
34:08marshmallow
34:08I figured
34:09you shouldn't
34:10change at all
34:11I told him
34:12he was just
34:12face blind
34:13maybe
34:15I just waited
34:16for the world
34:17to catch up
34:18then I got
34:19to show you
34:19off
34:26you're my
34:27only standard
34:28whatever you
34:29become
34:29I'd fall
34:30for you
34:30anyway
34:33what a
34:34coincidence
34:34I feel
34:36exactly the
34:36same
34:37back when
34:37the whole
34:38school
34:38swore
34:38his face
34:39was scarred
34:40I had
34:40one quiet
34:41thought
34:43if nobody
34:44else wanted
34:44him
34:44I'd just
34:45take him
34:46home
34:46myself
34:46I'm
34:47a
34:48I'm
34:48a
34:49going to