- 2 days ago
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🎈
FunTranscript
00:01To meet my online boyfriend, Chase Whitmore, I forced myself from a nearly 200-pound fat girl into the hottest
00:07girl on campus.
00:08But the day before we were supposed to meet, I found a post.
00:11Giving away my online girlfriend.
00:13Been together over a year.
00:15Cute voice, sweet girl, great to talk to.
00:17DM me if you want her.
00:19Someone asked why he was giving up such a great girlfriend.
00:22He replied,
00:23Found her real info online.
00:24She's 200 pounds, not my type.
00:26The comments piled up fast.
00:28Was interested until you said she was 200 pounds.
00:30Who wants a whale? Keep her?
00:33Only one person replied.
00:35DM'd you.
00:36I looked at the poster's profile picture again, which was the same one my online boyfriend used.
00:40And the post was from three months ago.
00:43I froze.
00:44Then I remembered.
00:45Chase Whitmore had changed a lot three months ago.
00:48He suddenly got cold and even tried to break up with me once.
00:51He said he was bored.
00:52I thought he was just tired of the relationship, so I begged him not to leave.
00:56Fine.
00:56Eventually, he agreed to stay.
00:58Not long after that, he told me he was changing accounts.
01:01His old account was too messy.
01:03And with college starting soon, he wanted a fresh one.
01:05So I added the new account.
01:07He was still distant for a while.
01:09Even his personality felt different.
01:10Later, we slowly got close again.
01:13I thought he had just lost interest for a while and then changed his mind.
01:16I never thought.
01:17I looked down at my phone.
01:19A message popped up from the account with the matching cartoon icon.
01:22Baby, your period should be coming soon.
01:24I sent you some ginger tea.
01:26Drink it while it's hot.
01:26I can't wait to finally meet you next month.
01:29I'm actually kind of nervous.
01:30Are you excited?
01:31My fingers stopped over the screen.
01:33So the guy I was about to meet...
01:34Who the hell was he?
01:36My friend Mia found me the next day looking unusually awkward.
01:40Did you and Chase break up?
01:41What?
01:42She gave up and handed me her phone.
01:45Go, go, go.
01:46Back when we used to game together, Mia had gotten pretty close to one of Chase's gaming friends.
01:50The guy had sent her screenshots from Chase's private group chat.
01:54Someone had asked Chase.
01:56Bro, how come you don't bring your girlfriend into games anymore?
01:58We broke up.
01:59Chase replied.
02:00Everyone was surprised.
02:01Weren't you guys doing fine?
02:02Why'd you suddenly break up?
02:04Her voice was cute, so I always thought she'd be pretty.
02:06Then she sent me a picture once, and there was a delivery receded in the background with her real name
02:11on it.
02:11Chase answered.
02:12I already knew what high school she went to, so I had someone look her up.
02:16Turns out she was almost 200 pounds.
02:19I care about looks, man, so I ended it right away.
02:22Someone laughed.
02:22So that's why her voice sounded so good.
02:24Guess all that fat was doing wonders for her vocal cords.
02:26Wasn't she obsessed with you?
02:27Every time we played, she followed you everywhere.
02:29She actually agreed to break up?
02:31She didn't.
02:32Chase replied.
02:34So I handed her off to someone else.
02:36She doesn't even know my real name anyway.
02:39Then he dropped the post where he had given away his online girlfriend.
02:43The group went crazy.
02:45No fucking way.
02:46You can do that?
02:47Damn, Chase.
02:48Well, at least she won't bother you anymore.
02:49She was obviously hiding what she looked like.
02:50If this wasn't online, you never would have dated someone like that for over a year.
02:54After getting catfished by a whale for a year, you done with dating now?
02:58Nah.
02:59I've got my eye on someone new.
03:01There's a really pretty girl in the freshman group chat.
03:04Super innocent looking.
03:06Chase came from money and was always buying everyone drinks or covering things for the group.
03:11So naturally, everyone loved kissing his ass.
03:13Damn, that's our guy.
03:14Only a girl that hot deserves Chase.
03:16Got a picture?
03:17Chase sent one.
03:18The girl wore a fitted cheer uniform with a pleated skirt and smiled at the camera.
03:22I recognized her right away.
03:24Ava Collins.
03:24She had posted a selfie in the incoming freshman group a few days ago.
03:28The second she did, half the guys in the chat started calling her the prettiest girl in the class.
03:33Mia looked furious.
03:35You dated Chase for over a year and he dumped you the second he found out you were fat?
03:39Then he literally handed you off to someone else?
03:42What an asshole.
03:43And Ava isn't even prettier than you.
03:45Nina, post a picture in the group.
03:47He'll regret everything.
03:48I looked back down at the screenshots.
03:50Only one person had defended me.
03:51Hey, but that girl really liked you.
03:54I remember every time you got jumped in game, she was always the first one to come save you.
03:58Doing this to her is kind of fucked up.
04:00A few minutes later, Chase replied.
04:02What can I say?
04:03I care about looks.
04:04Knowing I dated someone that huge for over a year makes me sick.
04:07Then he added.
04:08Guess she should have been prettier.
04:09That evening, another guy asked for my number on the way home.
04:12I turned him down and kept walking alone.
04:14Then I caught my reflection in a store window.
04:17A slim waist, long legs, and curves in all the right places.
04:20I knew I was pretty now.
04:22Guys had paid for my drinks and meals more than once.
04:24And even a talent scout had approached me once.
04:27But before I met Chase, none of that ever happened.
04:29I had been fat since I was little.
04:31By high school, I was almost 200 pounds.
04:34Fatty.
04:34Whale.
04:36I had heard it all.
04:37So I grew up insecure.
04:39The bigger I got, the less I wanted to dress up.
04:41And the less I tried, the worse I looked.
04:44I had crushes too.
04:45But whenever a guy found out I liked him, he acted as if I had insulted him.
04:49Every time I tried to lose weight, my parents told me not to bother.
04:52They said I was cute the way I was.
04:54They were both heavy too.
04:55So they never thought my weight was a big deal.
04:57I spent most of my teenage years getting laughed at.
05:00Then I met Chase in a game.
05:03He liked my voice and insisted on adding me.
05:05We played together a few more times and slowly got close.
05:08After a while, Chase confessed.
05:10I knew he came from money.
05:11He had bought me tons of skins in game and tried to send me expensive gifts.
05:15But I always refused them.
05:16He never posted clear pictures of his face.
05:18But his profile was full of vacation photos from all over the world.
05:21Sometimes he was in the background.
05:22He was tall and in great shape.
05:24If he saw how fat I was, there was no way he'd like me in real life.
05:27Still, I really liked him.
05:29Chase was outgoing and fun.
05:30Whenever I was upset, he stayed up talking to me.
05:33Sometimes he would even drop gifts in the game chat and get everyone online to cheer me up.
05:36In the end, I said yes.
05:38I hid my weight and everything about myself because I was terrified he would look me up.
05:42I tested him once too.
05:43What if I'm not pretty?
05:44With a voice like yours?
05:46No way you're ugly.
05:47Baby, stop messing with me.
05:48When are we finally meeting?
05:49I miss you.
05:50Let's go to same college.
05:51Then I can see you every day.
05:52I stared at those messages for a long time.
05:54Then I finally decided to lose weight.
05:56I changed my eating habits and began training consistently.
05:59It was difficult, but I refused to give up.
06:02Over the next year, I became healthier and stronger.
06:04By the end of that year, I was down to around 110 pounds.
06:08I started learning skin care, makeup, hair, and how to dress.
06:11During that year, Chase tried to come see me several times.
06:14I always found an excuse to stop him.
06:16I never felt pretty enough yet.
06:17Then the boys in my class started looking at me differently.
06:20Love notes started showing up.
06:21Strangers began asking for my number.
06:23Can I get the number?
06:23Both of them blushed while telling me I was beautiful.
06:25That was when I finally realized it.
06:27Maybe I really was pretty now.
06:28For the first time, I felt brave enough to meet Chase.
06:31I chose the same university he did.
06:33We agreed to meet when school started.
06:34But apparently to him, none of it had ever been that serious.
06:37I thought all those sweet things he said were real.
06:40Now that I thought about it, he had never even told me his real name.
06:42I only knew the name Chase Whitmore because Mia's friend knew someone in his circle.
06:46From the beginning, he had never really liked me.
06:49Ava posted another picture in the freshman group chat.
06:52She was at the beach in a blue halter top and denim shorts.
06:54Her hair tied in a loose ponytail.
06:56The guy beside her had his face covered.
06:58But I recognized the watch on his wrist right away.
07:01Chase had worn the same one in his pictures before.
07:03Mia had just told me that Chase started chasing Ava right after she posted her first selfie in the group.
07:08Apparently, he had even flown to her city, bought her a bunch of gifts, and arranged fireworks for her.
07:13Looks like they were officially together now.
07:16Chase dropped a message in the chat.
07:18Everybody say hi to my girlfriend.
07:20Damn, Chase, you two look good together.
07:22Bro actually got the prettiest girl in the group.
07:25Okay, I believe in love again.
07:27Only Ava is hot enough for Chase.
07:29Then someone brought me up.
07:31You guys don't know this, but Chase got catfished by some huge girl for over a year.
07:35Poor guy was traumatized.
07:37At least he finally found someone hot.
07:39Ava replied,
07:40What huge girl?
07:41Someone quickly told her the whole story.
07:43Then everyone started laughing at me.
07:45No way some whale really thought she had a shot with Chase.
07:47Girls like that can only catfick people online.
07:49I heard she was planning to go to the same college as him too.
07:53She might even be in this freshman class.
07:55Imagine seeing what she actually looks like.
07:59Ava finally replied,
08:00She was probably insecure.
08:02Being ugly isn't really her fault.
08:04But lying to someone about it is still wrong.
08:06Forget her.
08:07Thinking about it still makes me sick.
08:09Good thing I met you.
08:11What Chase didn't know was that I had joined the group with a second account.
08:15I had watched their entire little love story happen.
08:17Chase, what was that girl's name again?
08:19Maybe we'll run into her when school starts.
08:22Nina Grant.
08:24Even the name sounds basic.
08:26The next second, I joined the group with my real account.
08:28Then I changed my display name to Nina Grant.
08:32The chat went dead silent.
08:33But I knew everyone was staring at the screen.
08:36A few minutes later, Ava sent two messages.
08:40Welcome, Nina.
08:41By the way, we're having a freshman dinner on the 3rd.
08:43Are you coming?
08:44I knew exactly why she was asking.
08:46She wanted to see me embarrass myself.
08:48I gave a small smile and typed one word.
08:50Yeah.
08:52I was about to go to sleep when Definitely Not Cookie sent me a picture.
08:56Baby, do you like this bag?
08:58I saw it in Italy and thought it would look perfect on you.
09:00I'll give it to you when we meet.
09:02Then another message came in.
09:03Baby, why are you ignoring me?
09:04Did you fall asleep, baby?
09:06I frowned.
09:06This guy had bought Chase's account and really committed to the role.
09:09He was generous, too.
09:11Last month, he sent me a necklace and an expensive skincare set.
09:14He also sent me money on Valentine's Day and random gifts all the time.
09:18He knew I was fat.
09:20So what did he even want from me?
09:22Was this some weird fetish?
09:23I sent him an old picture of myself.
09:25Almost 200 pounds, round face, eyes nearly hidden by my cheek.
09:29This is what I look like.
09:31If you can't accept it, we should break up.
09:33I don't want to waste your time.
09:35Well, no way he could keep pretending after seeing that.
09:38He replied almost immediately.
09:40Baby, you're cute.
09:41Then he sent a puppy sticker.
09:43What?
09:44Was he insane?
09:45I typed back fast.
09:46Look again.
09:46I'm almost 200 pounds.
09:49I know.
09:50I still think you're cute.
09:51But you should take care of your health, okay?
09:53My brows pulled together.
09:55Or was this guy just a fraud?
09:57What do you look like?
09:58I asked.
09:59I've never seen your picture.
10:00Definitely not Cookie replied with three photos.
10:03Different angles.
10:04Full body.
10:05And somehow, even an ab shot.
10:06I took one look and laughed.
10:08Broad shoulders.
10:09Narrow waist.
10:10Defined abs.
10:11He had to be at least six, too.
10:13And his face was even more ridiculous.
10:16Messy dark hair.
10:17Light brown eyes.
10:18And a smile that looked way too good to be real.
10:21So he was using stolen pictures, too.
10:24Baby, I didn't really get ready before taking these.
10:28You're not disappointed, right?
10:29Sure.
10:30We were meeting soon, anyway.
10:31I'd expose him then.
10:32I smirked and typed back.
10:32No, baby.
10:33You're really handsome.
10:34Is that actually you?
10:36Can't wait to meet you.
10:37His reply came right away.
10:39Good.
10:41Actually, there's something I need to tell you when we meet.
10:44I smile.
10:45What else could it be?
10:46Probably that the pictures were fake.
10:50Okay.
10:52The second my plane landed, my phone started blowing up.
10:55Baby, where are you?
10:57I'm waiting at arrival.
10:58Then he sent me a picture of a huge bouquet of roses.
11:02Baby, I'm so nervous.
11:04What if you see me and don't like me?
11:06There was no person in the picture.
11:08Just the flowers.
11:09For a guy using fake photos, he was weirdly romantic.
11:12My heart softened a little.
11:13Maybe I should just let it go.
11:14Once we met, we could talk things out.
11:16Even if we only stayed friends, that was fine.
11:18These past three months, he really had treated me well.
11:20If I couldn't sleep, he would stay on the phone with me until he was barely awake.
11:24Every holiday, and sometimes for no reason at all,
11:26he found an excuse to send me gifts.
11:28He remembered everything I liked.
11:29Even when my period was coming, he was a good person.
11:32So what if he was ugly?
11:33I could live with that.
11:34I dragged my suitcase toward arrivals.
11:36From far away, I spotted the giant bouquet right away.
11:39It completely covered the guy holding it,
11:41but I could still see his build.
11:43Tall, broad shoulders, narrow waist.
11:46Wait, did he actually have a great body too?
11:48No way.
11:49Definitely not cookie.
11:50Really look like those pictures.
11:52Then what was wrong with him?
11:53The guy behind the flowers seemed to be getting impatient.
11:55He finally lowered them and looked around.
11:57I stopped dead.
11:59Holy shit.
12:00It was him.
12:01He actually looked exactly like the pictures.
12:03No, he looked better.
12:04So definitely not cookie wasn't a catfish?
12:07A few girls nearby were already whispering and looking at him.
12:10I walked over, still staring.
12:11You're-
12:12I expected him to recognize me.
12:13Instead, he frowned.
12:14Can I help you?
12:15I tilted my head and pulled out my phone.
12:17Who are you waiting for?
12:17Want my number?
12:17His frown deepened.
12:19I'm waiting for my girlfriend.
12:20No.
12:21I stared at him.
12:21Ever say says I lost weight.
12:23No guy had ever rejected me that fast.
12:25Definitely not cookie.
12:27Was he actually only into big booty girls?
12:29When I still didn't leave, he looked even more annoyed.
12:32Can you move?
12:33My girlfriend's coming.
12:34I sighed.
12:36Cookie, it's me.
12:38Pumpkin.
12:39What?
12:39Cookie pumpkin?
12:40He suddenly stopped.
12:41His eyes moved over me from head to toe.
12:43Pumpkin?
12:44No way.
12:45You don't look like this.
12:46Weren't you-
12:47Fatty?
12:48I finished for him.
12:48I lost weight.
12:50Then I looked at him.
12:51Or what?
12:52Do you only like the picture?
12:53The guy who had been annoyed with me two seconds ago turned bright red.
12:57No.
12:57That's not what I meant.
12:59I-
12:59He started stumbling over his words.
13:01I just-
13:02You were cute before too.
13:04You weren't ugly.
13:05I just-
13:07So I'm only cute now?
13:10No.
13:11He looked even more flustered.
13:12You're cute now too.
13:13And really pretty.
13:14I just didn't expect this.
13:16They were heavier than I expected.
13:18And I stumbled back half a step.
13:20Sorry.
13:20Sorry.
13:24Didn't you say you were taking me out for something good when we met?
13:27Come on, let's go.
13:33Cookie was pretty much the same in person as he was online.
13:36For someone that good looking, he had none of the attitude I expected.
13:40He was gentle the whole time.
13:42And took care of everything without making a big deal out of it.
13:44That was also when I finally learned his real name.
13:47Ethan Bennett.
13:49He was a freshman too.
13:50Different major.
13:51Same campus.
13:52He took me to a nice restaurant for lunch.
13:54Pulled out my chair for me.
13:56Cut my steak.
13:57And barely looked me in the eye without turning red.
13:59After that, we spent the whole afternoon together.
14:04By the time he dropped me off at the restaurant for the freshman dinner...
14:08Text me when you're done.
14:09I'll come get you.
14:10Okay.
14:10He still looked reluctant to leave.
14:12The restaurant was crowded.
14:13As I reached the private room, I heard voices coming from inside.
14:17Is everyone here?
14:17Not yet.
14:18Nina still hasn't showed up.
14:20Nina?
14:20You mean the whale who cat-ficked Chase?
14:22She probably got scared and bailed.
14:24Yeah.
14:25Imagine showing up and sitting next to Ava.
14:27She'd die of embarrassment.
14:30Don't be mean.
14:31It's not her fault.
14:32She's huge.
14:32I was about to walk in when a heavy girl stepped into the room before me.
14:36The whole table went quiet for a second.
14:39Then people immediately started trading looks.
14:41So you're Nina?
14:42Damn, you really made everyone wait.
14:44Do we need to move two chairs together for you?
14:46The room exploded.
14:48Chase had one arm around Ava's shoulders.
14:51He looked at the girl and gave a mocking smile.
14:53She stared at them like they were insane.
14:55Then she turned around, grabbed two plates from the service cart outside, and started setting food on the table.
15:00The laughter died instantly.
15:04Everyone looked awkward.
15:05That was when I pushed the door open and walked in.
15:08Hi, I'm Nina.
15:11Every pair of eyes landed on me.
15:13One guy froze with his beer halfway to his mouth.
15:16Some spilled over the rim and dripped onto his pants before he finally noticed and started wiping at it.
15:21The girl across from him, who had been laughing the loudest, just stared at me with her mouth open.
15:26Ava had been leaning against Chase.
15:28The second she saw me, she sat up straight.
15:30Her smile disappeared.
15:31Then she quickly touched her hair.
15:33Chase did not move at all.
15:35He just stared.
15:37Holy shit.
15:38A guy finally came back to life.
15:40Are you in the wrong room?
15:41This is the freshman dinner.
15:43It's fine if she is.
15:44She looks like a freshman too.
15:47She can stay.
15:47The guy who had been making the worst jokes spoke up immediately.
15:51I smiled.
15:51Hi, I'm Nina Grant.
15:53The room blew up.
15:56The guy stared at me.
15:57You're Nina?
15:57Nina, no fucking way.
16:00Chase said you were...
16:01Said I was what?
16:02I smiled at him.
16:03Then I looked at Chase.
16:04He looked pretty much how I expected.
16:06Good looking, definitely.
16:08Blonde hair, expensive clothes, and the kind of face that always looked like he was flirting.
16:12Classic rich playboy.
16:14Who's Chase?
16:15I tilted my head.
16:16I don't think I know him.
16:18Chase went stiff.
16:19His throat moved once.
16:21Then he slowly took his arm off Ava's shoulders.
16:23Ava pressed her lips together.
16:24I almost laughed.
16:26I knew that look on Chase's face.
16:28I had seen it plenty of times over the last few months.
16:30That stunned look guys got when they thought I was pretty.
16:33But on Chase, there was something else, too.
16:36Nina?
16:37He finally said.
16:38His voice sounded rough.
16:40I ignored him and found an empty seat.
16:41The guy beside me immediately turned red and handed me a clean set of silverware.
16:46Another guy poured me water.
16:47Funny how helpful men could be when they wanted to.
16:50After staring at me, everyone started looking at Chase.
16:53Some looked confused.
16:54Some looked like they were trying not to laugh.
16:56I heard someone whisper...
16:57Chase gave her away looking like that?
16:59What the hell was he thinking?
17:01Ava's pretty, but Nina's on another level.
17:06Chase has to be dying inside.
17:08Chase heard them, too.
17:09His hand tightened around his glass.
17:10Hey, Nina.
17:12Why didn't you ever post a picture in the group?
17:15You would have been the prettiest girl there.
17:17Beside Chase, Ava tightened her grip on her cup.
17:20I just don't like posting pictures.
17:22A girl looked at me curiously.
17:24Have you always looked like this?
17:26I mean...
17:27Sorry.
17:28I didn't mean...
17:30It's fine.
17:31I took a sip of water.
17:33No.
17:33I used to be really heavy.
17:35I lost the weight because I was supposed to meet my online boyfriend.
17:39Chase's face changed immediately.
17:41Then a girl sitting beside Ava suddenly spoke.
17:44There's no way someone just looks like that naturally.
17:46She looked me up and down.
17:47How much work did you get on?
17:49Ava's actually natural.
17:50Not everyone needs surgery to look good.
17:52Ava's mouth curved slightly.
17:54I laughed.
17:55You seem pretty familiar with plastic surgery.
17:58Her smile disappeared.
17:59Though judging by that eyeliner and those uneven lids, maybe you should ask for a refund.
18:03Her face went red.
18:04I've never had anything done.
18:07But I can help you find someone better if you want.
18:09The girl's face went from red to pale.
18:11Then she snapped.
18:12You think being pretty makes you special?
18:14For all we know, you're probably easy too.
18:17Before I could answer, another girl cut in.
18:19That makes no sense.
18:21Nina hasn't done anything to you.
18:23Yeah.
18:24You just sound jealous.
18:25A few more people agreed.
18:26The girl finally shut up.
18:28Dinner went on, but nobody was really focused on the food.
18:31Chase kept trying to talk to me.
18:32Nina, where are you from?
18:34That online boyfriend of yours?
18:35Do you actually know him?
18:37There are a lot of weird people online.
18:38You should be careful.
18:40You're new here too, right?
18:42I drove.
18:43I can show you around later.
18:44Then he peeled the shrimp and dropped it onto my plate.
18:47That was finally enough for Ava.
18:49Chase.
18:50She kept her voice low, but everyone heard it.
18:52Chase turned like he had almost forgotten she was there.
18:54What?
18:54Ava pointed at the shrimp.
18:55I want one too.
18:56Chase frowned.
18:57Then peel one.
18:57Ava stared at him.
18:58I picked up the shrimp from my plate and held it toward her.
19:02You can have mine.
19:03Then I smiled.
19:04I don't eat food other people peel for me.
19:06That did it.
19:07Ava shoved her chair back, eyes red and stormed out.
19:10At that point, the whole thing had stopped being entertaining.
19:13I dropped the shrimp into the trash and stood up.
19:15I've got something to do.
19:16I'm leaving.
19:17Then I walked out.
19:18I had barely reached the entrance when someone called after me.
19:21I turned.
19:22Chase had followed me instead of Ava.
19:24How are you getting back?
19:24He asked.
19:26I can drive you.
19:27Then he clicked his key.
19:28A white car flashed at the curb.
19:30I was about to say no when a black car pulled up fast and stopped beside us.
19:34Ethan leaned over with a bright smile.
19:35Baby, I'm here.
19:36Get in.
19:37I looked at Chase.
19:38My boyfriend's here, so I'm good, thanks.
19:39Boyfriend?
19:40The guy you met online?
19:41I smiled.
19:42Yeah.
19:42Then I walked right past Chase and got into Ethan's car.
19:49Who was that guy?
19:50Ethan finally asked after a long silence.
19:51Just some classmate.
19:52I said.
19:52Why?
19:53His face relaxed a little.
19:54Nothing.
19:54Then he nodded toward the back seat.
19:56By the way, the bag I told you about is back there.
19:58Take a look.
19:59I turned around and saw a gift box.
20:01Inside was a luxury bag.
20:02I froze.
20:03It was beautiful and obviously expensive.
20:06This is way too much.
20:08I can't take this.
20:09Boyfriends buy their girlfriend's bags.
20:10Then his expression suddenly changed.
20:14Did our first meeting go that badly?
20:16Are you about to break up with me?
20:18He immediately looked stressed.
20:20I knew I shouldn't have used that stylus today.
20:22My hair looks bad, doesn't it?
20:24I started working out and taking care of my skin months ago because I wanted to look good when we
20:28met.
20:29If there's something you don't like, just tell me.
20:31I can fix it.
20:36What?
20:36I stared at you.
20:37No, I'm not breaking up with you.
20:38Then why won't you take the bag?
20:40I spent forever picking it out.
20:41Before I could answer, he kept...
20:42Send me your class schedule when you get it.
20:44I'll try to take some of the same classes.
20:45What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?
20:46I can bring it over.
20:47Then he pointed at the bag.
20:48Keep that.
20:48I bought it for you.
20:49If you don't want it, I'll just throw it away.
20:51I looked at him for a second.
20:53Then I laughed helplessly.
20:54Fine.
20:56Dinner hadn't felt nearly as satisfying as I thought it would.
20:58I used to hate Chase for what he did.
20:59He could have just broken up with me.
21:01Instead, he came up with this whole stupid plan to hand me off to someone else.
21:04I wasn't happy that Ethan had lied to me either.
21:06But Ethan, he actually seemed pretty good.
21:08Maybe I could keep seeing him and figure things out.
21:11I never expected Chase to start following me around after that.
21:14Anytime Ethan wasn't with me, Chase somehow showed up.
21:18During class, he would walk straight over and sit beside me.
21:21Nina, anyone sitting here?
21:23I looked up.
21:23We're not that close.
21:25Don't call me Nina like that.
21:26And I don't want to sit with you.
21:28Then, I picked up my books and moved.
21:29Chase didn't seem embarrassed.
21:31He just tried again the next day.
21:32Breakfast one morning.
21:33Coffee the next.
21:34Then, snacks for my entire dorm.
21:36Meanwhile, he started treating Ava like she barely existed.
21:39Once, I saw her bring him breakfast she had made herself.
21:41Take it back.
21:41Chase barely looked at him.
21:42Ava said something quickly.
21:44He looked annoyed and tossed the container into the trash.
21:46Once he lost interest in Ava, he went all in on me.
21:49Flowers showed up almost every day.
21:50So did expensive cakes.
21:52Then, one afternoon, Chase brought me a luxury bag.
21:54He sat beside me.
21:55Look.
21:56Resting his chin on one hand.
21:57You like it?
21:58If not, I'll get you something else.
21:59I finally lost my patience.
22:00I don't want it.
22:02Stop sending me things.
22:04But I bought it for you.
22:05He gave a small shrug.
22:06If you don't want it, I'll just throw it away.
22:08Almost the exact same thing Ethan had said.
22:10I laughed coldly.
22:11Then, I picked up the bag and the cake and dropped both into the trash.
22:16Not my money.
22:17Why should I care?
22:18For the first time, Chase's expression changed.
22:21Nina, be honest.
22:23Am I really not good enough to you?
22:26My boyfriend is good to me, too.
22:28If I want something, I'll ask him.
22:29I don't need anything from you.
22:31Ethan Bennett, right?
22:32I know who he is.
22:34But I'm not worse than him.
22:36Anything he can give you, I can give you, too.
22:37At first, watching Chase regret everything had been satisfying.
22:41Now, it was just annoying.
22:42I had liked him once.
22:43I had liked the guy who stayed on the phone with me all night.
22:46The guy who told me he was there when I cried.
22:48The guy who got an entire game lobby to cheer me up when I was upset.
22:51But I couldn't connect that person to the man standing in front of me now.
22:55Now, I understood.
22:56Chase only liked what he could see.
22:58A pretty face.
22:59That was it.
22:59I stood up.
23:00I don't like you.
23:04So, please stop following me around.
23:06I was done wasting time on Chase Whitmore.
23:09He wasn't worth it.
23:11I nearly rolled my eyes when I saw Chase at the MMA club.
23:14He acted like nothing had happened.
23:15What a coincidence, Nina.
23:17And gave me a bright smile.
23:18Chase did not know MMA.
23:20I had dated him for over a year.
23:21I knew he surfed every summer and went skiing every winter.
23:24He had never once mentioned knowing how to fight.
23:26He glanced at my bare feet, then back at me.
23:28Think you can teach me a few moves?
23:30Fine.
23:30If he wanted to get hurt that badly, I could help.
23:32I looked at him calmly.
23:34Chase was exactly as bad as I expected.
23:36The second we started, I swept his leg and sent him stumbling back.
23:39He froze for a second, then smiled and raised his hands again.
23:44Damn.
23:46You're strong.
23:47He clearly thought we were flirting.
23:48With that lazy smile still on his face, he reached for my wrist.
23:52I stepped aside, caught his arm, and twisted.
23:54A second later, his knee slammed into the mat.
23:57Fuck.
23:59He sucked in a breath.
24:00The smile finally disappeared.
24:02I didn't give him time to recover.
24:03The second he tried to stand, I swept his leg again and took him down.
24:06Then I locked my legs around his neck and arm.
24:08Chase's eyes went wide.
24:10The veins at his temple stood out.
24:11For a second, I thought he was finally going to tap.
24:14Then his face slowly turned red, and he just kept staring at me.
24:17That look in his eyes.
24:19Was he actually enjoying this?
24:20Gross.
24:21I tightened the hold and leaned closer.
24:23Still want another lesson?
24:24A muffled sound came from his throat, but instead of tapping, he looked even more pleased.
24:29I immediately let go and backed away.
24:30Then I wiped my hands against my shirt.
24:32I felt contaminated.
24:33Chase stayed flat on the mat, breathing hard.
24:36I looked down at him.
24:37Stop following me.
24:39Next time I won't go this easy.
24:40He turned his head and smiled at me.
24:42Nina, I think I like you even more now.
24:45I stared at him.
24:46What the hell was wrong with this guy?
24:49The late summer rain came down fast.
24:51I stood outside the classroom building, staring at it.
24:54I had forgotten my umbrella.
24:59Suddenly, an umbrella appeared over my head.
25:01No umbrella?
25:02Too bad I only brought one.
25:04But I can walk you back.
25:08I'd rather drown than need your umbrella.
25:10Then I spotted Ethan coming out of another building nearby.
25:13Ethan!
25:14Ethan!
25:20I forgot my umbrella, too.
25:22What do we do?
25:26Then we run.
25:28Okay.
25:29Ethan pulled off his jacket and held it over my head.
25:33Took off into the rain without looking at Chase once.
25:36The jacket barely helped.
25:38By the time we reached my dorm, both of us were soaked.
25:41Rain poured around us while students rushed past under umbrellas.
25:47Neither of us moved.
25:52Ethan, why were you even like me?
25:54You go first.
25:59His smile disappeared.
26:01Part of me wanted you to never find out, but I don't want to keep lying to you.
26:05I don't want whatever we have to start with a lie.
26:07You knock an immense.
26:09When I didn't look surprised, he froze.
26:11You already knew?
26:12I said nothing.
26:13I just looked at him.
26:15But there's something else.
26:16Nina, this actually wasn't the first time I met you.
26:19Before all of this.
26:20Before that account.
26:22I already knew you.
26:23That caught me off guard.
26:24I would remember a face like Ethan's.
26:28It can't be.
26:29I don't remember you.
26:32He pulled out his phone.
26:35You wouldn't.
26:36I didn't look like this back then.
26:40Ethan.
26:41No way.
26:42He was cookie?
26:44Three years earlier, I had tried to lose weight once before.
26:47Back then, I begged my mom to send me to a weight loss summer camp.
26:50The coaches didn't use our real names.
26:52Everyone had to pick a nickname.
26:53The camp was brutal.
26:54We worked out until our legs shook.
26:56And every meal was some tiny, low-calorie plate that barely counted as food.
27:00I was hungry all the time.
27:01One night, I woke up starving and decided to walk around for a bit.
27:06As I turned the corner near the stairs, I saw someone crouching in the dark.
27:09I almost screamed.
27:10The boy whipped around, his cheeks stuffed completely full of food.
27:13He tried to say something, panicked, and immediately started choking.
27:17I rushed over and slapped his back until he finally popped it out.
27:20His eyes were red when he pressed a finger to his lips.
27:24Don't tell anyone.
27:25I was just really hungry.
27:27The chubby boy was clutching a pack of cookies like his life depended on it.
27:30I stared at the cookies and swallowed.
27:32Where did you get this?
27:33He lowered his voice.
27:34My friend lives nearby.
27:37I told him I was starving, so he threw them over the back fence.
27:40Then he looked at me nervously.
27:42Please don't report me.
27:43I didn't move.
27:44My eyes stayed on the cookie.
27:45After a few seconds, he finally got the message.
27:48He slowly held the package to her.
27:51Do you want some?
27:53I grabbed his hand at once.
27:54You're my best friend now.
27:56That was the night I learned his camp nickname was Cookie.
27:58Mine was Pumpkin.
28:00And Cookie apparently took the friendship seriously.
28:03Every time he managed to sneak in food after that, he came looking for me.
28:06We spent the next two months secretly eating together.
28:08The downside was obvious.
28:10Everyone else lost weight.
28:11We barely did.
28:12Then I had to leave camp suddenly.
28:13My grandma was hospitalized.
28:15And I had to go home before I even had time to say goodbye.
28:17As I was leaving, Cookie came running after me, sweating and out of breath.
28:21His eyes were red when he shoved a piece of paper into my hand.
28:24My number.
28:25You have to text me when you get home.
28:27The way he said it made us sound like we had just survived prison together.
28:30I laughed and waved goodbye.
28:32But I never contacted him.
28:33Grandma got worse fast.
28:35She passed away a few days later.
28:36I stayed at the hospital with my family and completely forgot about the note.
28:40By the time I remembered, my mom had already washed the clothes I wore that day.
28:43The paper was ruined.
28:44I tried going back to the camp later, but it had already shut down.
28:47And no one seemed to know where the staff had gone.
28:50After that, Cookie disappeared from my life.
28:52I regretted it for a long time.
28:54He had been one of the only people who was genuinely nice to me.
28:57The only person who never cared how big I was.
29:00And now, somehow, he was standing right in front of me.
29:04I stared at Ethan.
29:05But how did you turn into this?
29:07Seriously.
29:08How did that chubby kid turn into a model?
29:10Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
29:13After you left, eating alone just wasn't as fun anymore.
29:16I don't know.
29:17I stopped craving food as much.
29:19Then I started playing basketball.
29:21Eventually, I lost the weight.
29:23He paused.
29:24Later, I randomly found that post online.
29:26The guy hadn't covered your U-turn name.
29:28You were still using pumpkin, and your profile picture was that tabby cat you told me about
29:32at camp.
29:32The one with the little white patch on its forehead.
29:35Your age matched too.
29:37So I figured it had to be you.
29:39I didn't want you to get hurt.
29:41And I made a stupid decision.
29:43I messaged him.
29:45He looked at me.
29:46I didn't recognize you when we met either.
29:48I never thought you'd look so...
29:51So pretty.
29:52His eyes dropped.
29:53I'm sorry, Nina.
29:56I shouldn't have lied.
29:57I just didn't know how to tell you.
30:01If you want to break up with me, I'll understand.
30:02I stood there for a moment.
30:04I honestly had no idea what to say.
30:06Then I reached for his hand in the rain.
30:08Break up over what?
30:09I looked at him.
30:10Didn't you say you'd stay with me?
30:12Ethan's eyes lit up.
30:14A second later, he pulled me into his arms.
30:16Yeah.
30:17I will.
30:19I had just walked out of in class when someone called my name.
30:22Nina!
30:22I turned.
30:23Chase stood a few feet away, half hidden in the shadows.
30:25I frowned.
30:26What do you want?
30:27He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked toward me.
30:30You really like him that much?
30:31I rolled my eyes.
30:33He's my boyfriend.
30:34Who else am I supposed to like?
30:35I turned to leave.
30:36Then Chase spoke again.
30:38What if he wasn't the guy you were dating online?
30:39I stopped.
30:40My face went cold.
30:41I turned back slowly.
30:43What do you mean?
30:44Chase stared at me for a long moment.
30:46Then he finally said it.
30:47Nina, I was the guy you dated first.
30:49For that whole year, I was the one talking to you.
30:51I just screwed up.
30:53I found out what you looked like and handed the account over.
30:55His voice got faster.
30:58Ethan's the one who lied to you.
30:59He's been pretending this whole time.
31:01You and I were the real couple.
31:03I looked at him.
31:04I already knew.
31:05Chase froze.
31:06You knew?
31:07Then why are you still with him?
31:09I gave a short laugh.
31:10So what exactly are you trying to tell me?
31:13That you regret it now?
31:15That you like me again?
31:16Yes.
31:17He stepped closer.
31:18I do like you.
31:20I was an idiot before.
31:21I cut him off.
31:22You actually had the nerve to say this to my face?
31:24His expression tightened.
31:26Nina.
31:27You're unbelievable, Chase.
31:29I know.
31:30I messed up.
31:30He took a breath.
31:31I'll make it up to you however you want.
31:32But you used to like me.
31:33You can't seriously say you never did.
31:35You lost all that weight because you wanted to meet me.
31:37And now I really do like you.
31:38I looked at him.
31:39What do you like?
31:40My face?
31:41His mouth opened.
31:42I didn't let him answer.
31:43You're disgusting.
31:44His face changed.
31:45The guy I liked back then wasn't this version of you.
31:48I looked him straight in the eye.
31:49And I'm never going to like you again.
31:51So get over it.
31:52I jumped him.
31:55I was full.
31:55What happened?
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