For eight years, Sarah put up with cruel jokes about her weight from the two people she trusted most. Then a public humiliation costs her a million-dollar deal, and Luke makes excuses again. This time she doesn't wait for an apology. She hands in a resignation letter and books a one-way ticket to London.
But leaving doesn't erase the hurt, especially when their lives seem happier without her. In a city where nobody knows her as "Fatty," can Sarah finally find out who she is?
This is the full episode, so you can watch the whole story from start to finish. Stay until the end.
Have you ever been hurt by people who called it "just a joke"? Do you think Sarah was right to walk away, and does Luke deserve another chance? Tell us in the comments.
Subscribe for more episodes.
#FullEpisode #DramaSeries #EmotionalDrama #SelfWorth #NewBeginnings #RelationshipDrama #Betrayal #StartingOver
full episode, emotional drama, drama series, self worth story, starting over, toxic friendship, body image drama, betrayal drama, moving abroad, London drama, relationship drama, The Day I Fit Into a Medium Again
But leaving doesn't erase the hurt, especially when their lives seem happier without her. In a city where nobody knows her as "Fatty," can Sarah finally find out who she is?
This is the full episode, so you can watch the whole story from start to finish. Stay until the end.
Have you ever been hurt by people who called it "just a joke"? Do you think Sarah was right to walk away, and does Luke deserve another chance? Tell us in the comments.
Subscribe for more episodes.
#FullEpisode #DramaSeries #EmotionalDrama #SelfWorth #NewBeginnings #RelationshipDrama #Betrayal #StartingOver
full episode, emotional drama, drama series, self worth story, starting over, toxic friendship, body image drama, betrayal drama, moving abroad, London drama, relationship drama, The Day I Fit Into a Medium Again
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FunTranscript
00:00Growing up, my childhood friend Luke and my friend Sophie had given me plenty of nicknames.
00:04Piggy.
00:05Piggy?
00:06Chubby.
00:08Chubby.
00:10Butterball.
00:12They said those were the kinds of names only the people closest to you got to use.
00:16Once, Sophie called me Fatty.
00:17Fatty!
00:18In front of my co-workers while I was giving a quarterly presentation, the whole office burst out laughing.
00:23My director frowned at me, and I finished the presentation with my face burning red.
00:28Luke ruffled my hair.
00:30She didn't mean anything by it.
00:31Don't take it personally.
00:33Then, as usual, he added,
00:36But you really should lose some weight.
00:38When clients see you looking like this...
00:40At a company retreat, Sophie imitated the way I stammered whenever I got nervous in front of clients.
00:44She mimicked me constantly, tugging down the hem of my blazer to hide my stomach.
00:48She even copied the squeak my chair made when I sat down.
00:51Luke laughed louder than anyone.
00:55Alright, stop. She's sensitive.
00:56Then he turned around and saved the video of Sophie mocking me to his Instagram highlights.
01:00Last week, at a client appreciation dinner, I closed a million dollar deal on my own for the first time.
01:05Sophie raised her glass.
01:07Wow, our fatty actually landed a deal?
01:10The climber didn't just feel sorry for you, did they?
01:13The client's expression changed.
01:14After dinner, they told me they wanted to reconsider the partnership.
01:18A million dollar deal was gone.
01:20I sat in my car wiping away tears when Luke knocked on the window and climbed in.
01:24He handed me a tissue.
01:27Stop crying.
01:28Next time, just make sure she doesn't drink so much.
01:31He paused.
01:32And don't start eating every time you're upset.
01:34The more you eat, the more...
01:35The fatter I get, I know!
01:37I finished the sentence for him.
01:38I dried my tears, opened my laptop, and submitted my resignation.
01:41Eight years, from high school until now, there had been a time when I wanted to keep walking beside them
01:46for much longer.
01:46I tossed the tissue back into Luke's lap, rolled up the window, and started the car.
01:50Dear fatty, congratulations.
01:52You finally learned how to leave on your own.
01:56Who approved your resignation?
01:58Luke's voice came through the phone, calm and casual, as if he were asking what I wanted for lunch.
02:02I wedged the phone between my shoulder and ear, while continuing to stuff clothes into my suitcase.
02:07HR, I followed the normal process.
02:09I told you not to do anything impulsive.
02:11Paused, then softened his voice.
02:13I'll talk to the client again about the deal.
02:14I've got some connections with the manager.
02:16I zipped up my suitcase and glanced at the plane ticket on the table.
02:19London, one way.
02:20Luke's, don't bother.
02:21What is this now?
02:22A trace of impatience finally entered his voice.
02:25You know, Sophie talks without thinking.
02:27It's not like this is news to you.
02:28Is it really worth all this?
02:29A million dollar deal.
02:30Three months of follow-ups.
02:32Forty-seven emails.
02:33Eleven revisions to the proposal.
02:35I'm not throwing a tantrum.
02:37I said calmly.
02:37I just want a change of scenery.
02:39What change of scenery?
02:40You barely passed your English proficiency exam.
02:41Where are you even going?
02:42I didn't answer.
02:43He sighed again.
02:44Familiar sigh.
02:45The one that said he was already used to putting up with me.
02:47Fine.
02:48Take a couple days to calm down.
02:50Sophie and I will take you out this weekend and we'll talk everything through.
02:52I won't be here this weekend.
02:54The other end went silent.
02:55What do you mean?
02:56My flight's the day after tomorrow.
02:57This time, the silence lasted longer.
02:59Heard him rummaging around for something.
03:00Where are you going?
03:01London.
03:02A friend's company is hiring.
03:03I'm going to give it a shot.
03:04You...
03:04I sounded almost speechless.
03:05You're serious?
03:06I looked at myself in the mirror.
03:07My eyes were still swollen.
03:09My lips were cracked.
03:10And my face was puffy from crying.
03:12I looked dull and exhausted.
03:14I'm serious.
03:15Sarah.
03:16He suddenly said my full name and his voice dropping.
03:18Are you doing this to get back at me?
03:19I almost laughed.
03:21Eight years.
03:22And he still thought every decision I made came from some emotional impulse.
03:26No.
03:27Then tell me what's really going on.
03:28Why are you suddenly leaving?
03:30Why?
03:31Because you and Sophie turned me into a joke together.
03:34And you didn't even realize you were hurting me.
03:35Because every time I worked hard for something,
03:37Sophie could erase it with one careless sentence.
03:40And you would always stand beside her and say...
03:42She didn't mean it.
03:43Because I was finally tired.
03:44I just want to see somewhere new.
03:46By yourself?
03:47You can't even take the subway without going the wrong way.
03:49I'm hanging up.
03:50I cut him off.
03:50I still have packing to do.
03:51Sarah.
03:52I ended the call.
03:53The second my screen went dark, a message from Sophie popped up.
03:56Sarah, I heard you're quitting?
03:57Are you kidding me?
03:58LOL.
03:59What are you even going to do without me and Luke?
04:00You probably won't even find clothes in your size by yourself in London.
04:03Stop being dramatic.
04:05Come out this weekend.
04:06Dinner's on me, okay?
04:07My apology treat?
04:08I stared at the part about not finding clothes in my size for a long time.
04:11I didn't reply.
04:12I tossed my phone onto the bed and wheeled my suitcase into the living room.
04:15A hair clip Sophie had left behind the week before was still on the coffee table.
04:19A glittery little bow.
04:20That day, she had worn a size small dress that hung loose around her waist.
04:23While complaining that she'd gotten so fat lately, I picked up the clip.
04:27Then I dropped it into the trash.
04:28The doorbell rang.
04:29When I opened the door, Sophie was standing there.
04:31She wore a cream knit dress.
04:32Her hair styled in loose waves with a bag of fruit in one hand.
04:35You're actually packing?
04:37Oh my god, Sarah, you're really leaving?
04:39Stepped aside and let her in.
04:41She put the fruit on the coffee table and turned around.
04:43Her eyes were actually red.
04:44Is this because of what happened last time?
04:46I told you I was drunk.
04:49Sarah, you're not seriously leaving just because...
04:51Her voice faded.
04:52She lowered her head and twisted the hem of her dress between her fingers.
04:56What am I supposed to do if you leave?
04:59That was Sophie.
05:00She always knew exactly when to look vulnerable.
05:02She always knew how to make everyone think I was the one hurting her.
05:05This has nothing to do with you.
05:06I want to leave.
05:07She looked up at me with watery eyes.
05:09Really?
05:09You're not mad at me?
05:11No.
05:12Then can you stay?
05:13She grabbed my hand.
05:14Or at least wait until Luke gets back.
05:15He'll figure out a way to help you.
05:16Sophie...
05:16I pulled my hand free.
05:17My flight leaves at six the morning after tomorrow.
05:20She froze.
05:21Something flashed through those beautiful eyes.
05:23It disappeared too quickly for me to tell what it was.
05:25Then she smiled.
05:26Then I'll come see you off.
05:28You don't have to.
05:28I do.
05:29You're my best friend.
05:30My best friend.
05:32As she said those words, I remembered her calling me fatty in front of a client three months ago.
05:36I remembered the video of her imitating me tugging at my clothes, being shared more than two hundred times.
05:41And I remembered Luke laughing harder than anyone.
05:43Whatever.
05:44I said.
05:45She happily wrapped her arms around me.
05:46Sarah, don't forget me once you get there, okay?
05:48I said nothing.
05:49As she let go, my phone buzzed.
05:51A message from Luke.
05:52I don't agree.
05:53I looked at it for two seconds.
05:55Then I turned off my phone.
05:57After Sophie left, I kept packing.
05:59At the very back of a drawer, I found a metal box filled with little things I had collected over
06:04the past eight years.
06:05A birthday card Luke gave me during our sophomore year of high school.
06:08Happy birthday, Sarah.
06:10Hope you get braver every year.
06:11A friendship bracelet Sophie had made.
06:13Red cord with a tiny bead.
06:15The day she made it, she tried to slip it over my wrist.
06:17It dug into my skin, leaving a red mark.
06:20She gasped.
06:22Oops.
06:23Too tight.
06:24I'll make you another one after you lose some weight.
06:26So it stayed in that box for eight years.
06:28There were photos, too.
06:29Pictures of the three of us.
06:30I was always on the edge, unconsciously turning my body sideways.
06:33Because I was afraid I took up too much space.
06:36And somehow, I was always the one smiling the hardest.
06:39I put the metal box on the highest shelf of my closet.
06:42Somewhere I couldn't easily reach.
06:43I didn't take it with me.
06:44But I didn't throw it away either.
06:46At 11 that night, Luke called again.
06:48I didn't answer.
06:48He sent six messages.
06:49I didn't read them.
06:50The seventh was a voice message.
06:52I accidentally tapped it.
06:54And his voice filled the room.
06:56Sarah, you've hung up on me six times.
06:59Are you trying to start a fight?
07:00If you have something to say, say it.
07:02Don't give me this silent treatment crap.
07:05Silent treatment.
07:06I gave a bitter laugh.
07:07I turned off my phone.
07:09Then I slept better than I had in a long time.
07:12The next day was my last day before leaving.
07:15I went to the office to finish the paperwork for my resignation.
07:18My desk had already been cleared.
07:19There was a sticky note on my monitor from the co-worker who sat beside me.
07:22Good luck, Sarah.
07:23I peeled it off, tucked it into my pocket, and went to HR for the final signatures.
07:28When I stepped out of the elevator, I ran into Luke.
07:30He stood in the lobby in a perfectly tailored suit.
07:33One hand in his pocket.
07:34The expression on his face was complicated.
07:36What are you doing here?
07:38Picking you up.
07:41I don't need a ride.
07:43He stepped in front of me and looked down at me.
07:46Sarah, can you please talk to me like a normal person?
07:49I am.
07:50He frowned and raised his hand to touch my head, just like he had for the past eight years.
07:54Whenever he used to ruffle my hair, I stepped back.
07:57His hand froze in midair.
07:59You really are mad.
08:01He lowered it.
08:04I told you I'd talk to the manager again.
08:05The deal's gone.
08:06It's gone.
08:08I cut him off.
08:10Does that really mean you have to quit?
08:12Yes.
08:12He took a deep breath and switched to that gentle voice he always used on me.
08:17Sarah.
08:18Don't call me Sarah like that.
08:19He stopped.
08:20In eight years, I had never interrupted him like this.
08:22He was used to my easygoing temper.
08:24Used to me putting up with everything.
08:25Used to me nodding no matter what he said.
08:28Fine.
08:28He took a step back.
08:29Let's go somewhere and sit down.
08:31We'll talk.
08:32There's nothing to talk about.
08:34You're flying to London tomorrow.
08:36Alone.
08:37Who do you even know there?
08:38You don't know your way around.
08:40I will.
08:44Sophie's been crying all day.
08:46She thinks you're leaving because of her.
08:47Oh.
08:48So?
08:49What do you mean so?
08:50Now you won't even accept her apology?
08:52I looked at him.
08:53Luke.
08:54I asked calmly.
08:55Have you ever thought about something?
08:58What?
08:59If Sophie had been the one humiliated in front of that client, would you have said, just
09:03make sure Sarah doesn't drink so much next time?
09:05He froze.
09:06His mouth opened.
09:07Nothing came out.
09:08I walked around him and pushed open the lobby's glass doors.
09:11The sunlight outside was painfully bright.
09:13He followed me for two steps.
09:15Sarah.
09:15What time's your flight?
09:16I'll drive you.
09:18No.
09:19I didn't turn around.
09:20I'll drive you.
09:21I don't need you to anymore.
09:22The moment I walked out of the building, I let out a long breath.
09:25For the first time in eight years, the road ahead felt so short that I couldn't understand
09:30why it had taken me so long to walk it.
09:32When I got home, there was a bouquet on my coffee table.
09:35Sunflowers.
09:36My favorite.
09:36The card was in Sophie's handwriting.
09:38Sarah.
09:39I'm seeing you off tomorrow.
09:40No refusing.
09:41Promise you'll always be my best friend.
09:43I dropped the flowers into the trash beside the glittery bow clip.
09:48My alarm went off three times at four in the morning, before I finally dragged myself
09:52out of bed.
09:53By the time I washed up and wheeled my suitcase outside, the hallway was pitch black.
09:57The elevator doors opened.
09:58Sophie was standing inside.
10:00She wore a pink hoodie, her hair thrown into a messy bun.
10:02She had no makeup on, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
10:05She grinned and grabbed my suitcase.
10:07Come on.
10:08Luke's waiting downstairs.
10:09I looked at her.
10:10I told you I didn't need anyone to see me off.
10:12Oh, come on.
10:13She hooked her arm through mine and dragged me toward the exit.
10:17Who knows when you'll be back?
10:19What's wrong with letting us take you to the airport?
10:22Luke's car sat beneath the streetlight downstairs.
10:24The engine's still running.
10:25He got out, took my suitcase, and put it in the trunk without saying much.
10:29The car was quiet.
10:30Sophie sat in the passenger seat.
10:32I sat in the back.
10:32Ten minutes into the drive, she suddenly turned around.
10:35Sarah, make sure you eat properly over there.
10:38Your stomach's always been sensitive.
10:41Mm-hmm.
10:43And don't reach for food whenever you're stressed.
10:45You already have...
10:46She stopped herself.
10:48You already get nervous easily.
10:50Too much stress will make you lose sleep.
10:52I know.
10:54Video call me when you miss me?
10:56What's the time difference again?
10:57Eight hours?
10:58When you're asleep, I'll probably just be getting off work.
11:01Enough.
11:01Luke interrupted.
11:02Let her have some quiet.
11:03Sophie stuck out her tongue and turned back around.
11:05Luke's eyes flicked toward me in the rearview mirror.
11:08I looked away and watched the streetlights race past the window.
11:11At the airport, Luke pushed my suitcase while Sophie clung to my arm.
11:15The three of us walked together, just like always.
11:17Except this time, I was in the middle instead of on the edge.
11:20Because this would be the last time.
11:21At the check-in counter, I finished the process and got my boarding pass.
11:25Sophie hugged me tightly.
11:26Sarah, you idiot!
11:28She buried her face against my shoulder.
11:30Her voice muffled.
11:30Who am I supposed to go shopping with after you leave?
11:33I patted her back.
11:35You have Luke.
11:36She let me go.
11:36Sarah wiped the corner of her eye, then glanced at Luke as if giving him a signal.
11:40Luke stood a few feet away, holding something.
11:42He walked over and handed me a brown paper bag.
11:47Food for the flight.
11:50And...
11:50He hesitated.
11:52Text me when you land.
11:53I took the bag and nodded.
11:54Then I turned toward security.
11:57Sarah!
11:58Luke called after me.
11:59I stopped, but didn't turn around.
12:01If things don't work out over there, you can always come back!
12:03I said nothing.
12:04I dragged my suitcase into the security line.
12:07The line was long.
12:08I looked back once.
12:09From a distance, I saw Sophie talking animatedly to Luke, gesturing with both hands.
12:14Luke was looking down at his phone, typing something.
12:16Neither of them looked particularly sad.
12:18They looked as relaxed as if they had just watched someone run out for groceries and expected her back any
12:23minute.
12:23I turned around.
12:24Gate B-12.
12:25I found a seat and opened the bag Luke had given me.
12:29A sandwich.
12:30A bottle of water.
12:31Mints.
12:32A bag of chips.
12:33And beneath everything else, a sticky note.
12:35Sophie's round handwriting covered it.
12:37Fatty!
12:37The outside world is scary.
12:39You definitely won't last long before you miss us.
12:41When that happens, Luke and I will come bring you home.
12:44It's not like you can control your appetite anyway.
12:46I stared at the word fatty for a long time.
12:48As the plane taxied down the runway, I tore the note in half and stuffed it back into the bag.
12:53Twelve hours later, I landed in London and turned on my phone.
12:56Thirty-seven messages.
12:57Most were memes and voice messages from Sophie.
13:00Luke had sent only one.
13:01Tell me when you land, I replied with two words.
13:03I'm here.
13:04Then I closed the conversation.
13:05My friend Emma was waiting at arrivals, holding a cardboard sign with an ugly little stick figure drawn on it.
13:11Sarah!
13:11Welcome to your new life!
13:13I wheeled my suitcase toward her.
13:15The London air was cold and damp.
13:16I took a deep breath anyway.
13:18No one here would call me fatty.
13:23My first week in London, I was still fighting jet lag.
13:26One night, I woke up at three and couldn't fall asleep again.
13:28I sat by the bay window of my rental, staring at the streetlights outside.
13:32When my phone lit up, Sophie had posted on Instagram nine photos.
13:36Every single one was of her and Luke.
13:38Restaurants, movie theaters, shopping centers.
13:40The caption read,
13:41Life's so boring without Sarah.
13:43Luke, you're responsible for entertaining me now.
13:45Our old co-workers piled into the comments.
13:47You two gonna make it official already?
13:49Childhood friends' romance is dead.
13:50Bestie sweeps in.
13:51Who's gonna be our third wheel now that Sarah's gone?
13:54LOL.
13:54Luke replied to one.
13:55Stop making things up.
13:57Sophie answered with a blushing emoji.
14:00I stared at the screen for a long time.
14:01I couldn't quite name what I felt.
14:03It wasn't jealousy.
14:04It was something colder.
14:05The despair of having something I already knew finally confirmed.
14:08After I left, their lives hadn't developed a missing piece.
14:11They looked more complete.
14:12Without the heavy, unnecessary third person around,
14:15they could finally stand naturally beside each other.
14:18Emma pushed open the door, carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.
14:23What are you doing awake in the middle of the...
14:25She glanced at my screen.
14:29Is that the best friend you grew up with?
14:32Yeah.
14:32Emma shoved a mug into my hands.
14:36Enough.
14:37Put the phone down.
14:38Tomorrow's your first day at work.
14:40I took a sip.
14:41The hot chocolate burned the tip of my tongue.
14:43I muted Sophie on in...
14:44Then Luke.
14:45My first day at work felt unfamiliar in every possible way.
14:48New co-workers.
14:49A completely different pace.
14:51I struggled to follow meetings.
14:52And took so many notes.
14:54My hand hurt.
14:54But no one called me fatty.
14:56No one mimicked the way I tugged at my clothes.
14:58And when I finally did something right,
14:59no one said,
15:00Wow, she actually managed it.
15:02At lunch, a co-worker compliments.
15:04I reflected one detail in my proposal.
15:06It was an ordinary compliment.
15:07I almost cried that weekend.
15:08I stepped onto the bathroom scale for the first time.
15:11The numbers flickered.
15:13154 pounds.
15:14I stared at them.
15:15Then raised my eyes in the mirror.
15:16The woman looking back at me had rounded shoulders.
15:19And almost no definition between her chin and neck.
15:21Emma asked from the kitchen the next morning.
15:23Want to come with me?
15:24I hit the gym at six.
15:26It's right around the corner.
15:27And I looked at her.
15:28Okay.
15:28By the second week,
15:29I could walk on the treadmill without gripping the rails.
15:31By the third,
15:32I switched lunch to chicken breast and salad.
15:34And stopped eating late night snacks.
15:37In the fourth week,
15:38a co-worker looked at me in the break room.
15:40Sarah, have you lost weight?
15:41By week six,
15:43I bought a pair of medium jeans.
15:44The last time I had fit into a medium,
15:46I was in middle school.
15:47My hands shook as I pulled them on.
15:49Not from excitement.
15:50From unfamiliarity.
15:51So this was what my own body could feel like.
15:53When it was lighter,
15:54by week eight,
15:55the scale read 120.
15:5734 pounds.
15:58I touched my face.
15:59Then suddenly,
16:00I started crying.
16:00I wasn't sad.
16:01For the first time,
16:02I felt like this body belonged to me.
16:04Layer by layer,
16:05Luke's messages changed too.
16:07One message a day became three.
16:09Then one every morning,
16:10after noon and night.
16:11At first,
16:12they sounded like normal concern.
16:13Then they started getting strange.
16:15Who did you have lunch with today?
16:16Was that co-worker a guy or a girl?
16:19You're not working this weekend.
16:20Why aren't you answering?
16:21I either replied with a few words,
16:22or didn't answer at all.
16:24Then came the message that morning.
16:25I'll be in London next week for work.
16:27A moment later,
16:28another appeared.
16:29There are some things
16:30I need to tell you in person.
16:31I stared at it.
16:32I didn't reply.
16:33On Friday,
16:34I walked out of my office
16:35after working late.
16:36Dusk had just settled over London.
16:37Someone stood at the bottom of the steps.
16:39He looked up when he saw me.
16:41Then he froze.
16:41His gaze dropped from my face
16:43to my shoulders.
16:44My waist.
16:44The jeans that now hung
16:46noticeably loose around me.
16:47Then his eyes returned to my face.
16:49His lips parted.
16:50His Adam's apple moved.
16:51There was naked astonishment in his eyes.
16:53Sarah?
16:56I stayed on the steps.
16:58Luke walked forward twice,
17:00then stopped as if he thought I might run.
17:04You-
17:04His voice was hoarse.
17:06How much weight did you lose?
17:07I didn't answer.
17:08He took a deep breath,
17:09as if rearranging everything in his head.
17:12I came this time
17:13because of Sophie.
17:15She confessed to me last month.
17:18She said she's always liked me.
17:20The air seemed to freeze.
17:22Whatever vague,
17:23indescribable thing
17:24had still been lingering inside me
17:26finally shattered.
17:28He seemed relieved.
17:30You're not mad?
17:33I shook my head.
17:37Fatty.
17:37Sarah!
17:38I corrected him.
17:39He froze again.
17:41He had done a lot of that tonight.
17:44Right.
17:44Sarah.
17:46Sophie said she wanted to apologize.
17:48When you come back,
17:49maybe the three of us can still-
17:51I'm not coming back.
17:54His expression changed.
17:56What do you mean?
17:59I mean I'm not coming back, Luke.
18:02London was completely dark now.
18:04Streetlights flickered one by one.
18:05I looked at the face
18:07I had known better than any other
18:08for eight years.
18:09Then I smiled.
18:11Goodbye.
18:11I walked past him
18:12toward the underground.
18:13No footsteps followed me.
18:16His reflection appeared
18:17in the glass doors behind me.
18:18He stood exactly where I had left him.
18:20He didn't follow.
18:21Maybe he was still trying to process
18:23what he had just seen.
18:24Around Sarah,
18:25he had known forever.
18:26The girl who had always followed behind him
18:28had become someone
18:29he could no longer simply expect
18:31to keep up.
18:32I didn't sleep at all that night.
18:34The next morning,
18:34I showed up at work
18:35with dark circles under my eyes.
18:37Emma took one look at me
18:38and silently refilled my espresso.
18:40Those two again?
18:42Last time.
18:44She snorted,
18:45but didn't ask anything else.
18:46The work week moved fast.
18:47My new project was so intense
18:49I barely had time
18:50to think about anything else.
18:52I handled the international
18:53e-commerce side
18:53and had to negotiate directly
18:55with clients in English.
18:56At first, I stumbled.
18:58Then I got better.
18:58During our weekly meeting,
18:59my director singled out
19:01my proposal for praise.
19:02The perspective was original
19:04and the data was solid.
19:05No one added,
19:06Wow, she actually did it.
19:08It was just praise.
19:09Normal recognition.
19:11When I stood to thank him,
19:12my voice was steady.
19:13I received an unexpected message.
19:15It was from Nathan.
19:17He was my class president
19:18in high school
19:18and sat behind me in class.
19:20Nathan had later gone to Cambridge
19:21for graduate school
19:22and stayed in London
19:23to work in finance.
19:24We had never been close.
19:26Thanks.
19:26But we weren't strangers either.
19:28It had been a simple
19:29classmate relationship.
19:30No nicknames.
19:31No mocking.
19:32Sure, I replied.
19:34Friday night.
19:35He took me to a restaurant
19:36by the Thames.
19:37He wore a sharp suit,
19:38but his smile was exactly the same.
19:40You've changed a lot.
19:42You seem more confident.
19:43And you've lost a lot of weight.
19:45I almost didn't recognize you.
19:47Really?
19:48High school.
19:49You barely looked people in the eye
19:51when you talked.
19:52You always ordered the largest
19:53uniform size and hid in the back row.
19:54You're different now.
19:56I looked down at the menu.
19:59Maybe it's the environment.
20:01What kind of environment?
20:04One where nobody calls me fatty.
20:07His hands stopped.
20:09Who called you fatty?
20:13No one anymore.
20:14I smiled.
20:16It's in the past.
20:17Dinner was easy.
20:18He talked about work.
20:19How we were a large-fanch fifties.
20:21Things that had happened
20:21back in high school.
20:22Not once did he say anything
20:24that made me uncomfortable
20:25when the check came.
20:26He said,
20:27If you ever need anything here,
20:28call me.
20:29You don't have to handle
20:30everything alone.
20:32Okay.
20:33On the way home,
20:34I posted my first Instagram update
20:36since moving to London.
20:38A photo of the Thames at night.
20:40Five minutes later,
20:42Sophie commented,
20:44I stared at it for two seconds.
20:46Then,
20:46deleted her comment.
20:48Three minutes later,
20:49Luke called.
20:50I didn't answer.
20:52He texted instead.
20:54Who did you have dinner with?
20:55Guy or girl?
20:56What does that have to do with you?
20:59He went silent for a long time.
21:01Then he said something
21:02I hadn't expected.
21:05Sarah,
21:06Sophie and I aren't together.
21:09I froze.
21:11Didn't you say she confessed to you?
21:13She did.
21:15I didn't say yes.
21:17But last time...
21:19You asked whether I'd accepted
21:20and I didn't answer.
21:22You turned around and left.
21:23I leaned against the backseat of the cab
21:25and watched the city lights
21:27streak past outside.
21:28How ridiculous.
21:29When he stayed silent,
21:30it meant no.
21:31When I stayed silent,
21:32everyone treated it as yes
21:34because he never explained himself.
21:35He simply assumed I should understand.
21:37What's the point of telling me now?
21:40Sarah.
21:43Sarah,
21:44there are things I didn't understand before.
21:46And you understand them now?
21:49I'm trying to.
21:51Then take your time.
21:53I hung up.
21:55The cab stopped outside my apartment.
21:57It was 11 at night in London
21:58and the wind was cold.
22:00When I went upstairs,
22:01Emma was watching a show
22:02in the living room.
22:02Well,
22:03look who's back from her date.
22:07It wasn't a date.
22:09Sure, sure.
22:10She didn't even look up.
22:13Your phone's vibrated
22:14about 800 times.
22:15I checked it.
22:16Sophie had sent
22:16a long voice message.
22:18Sarah,
22:18did you mute me?
22:19What was that supposed to mean,
22:21deleting my comment?
22:22I only said it
22:23because I care about...
22:24I stopped the message
22:24and didn't reply.
22:26That night,
22:26I slept perfectly.
22:27I didn't dream once.
22:30By my third month in London,
22:32my project won
22:33the best project of the quarter.
22:35When my director announced it
22:37in front of the whole team.
22:39Sarah.
22:39Everyone thought it.
22:41Someone whistled.
22:43I stood there
22:43with my ears ringing,
22:44not from nerves,
22:45from the strange disbelief
22:47of finally being recognized.
22:49Emma gave me a thumbs up
22:50from her desk.
22:51Sarah, you're buying dinner.
22:52So that night,
22:53I really did take a few people
22:55from the team out.
22:56Everyone talked and laughed.
22:57No one mocked my accent
22:59or my expressions.
23:00No one suggested,
23:02let's order Sarah dessert.
23:03No, she wanted.
23:04I held a glass of water
23:06and listened to everyone's toast.
23:07On the way home,
23:08I saw a post online.
23:10An old co-worker
23:11had uploaded screenshots
23:12from our former company group chat.
23:14Sophie's messages.
23:15How long do you think
23:15Sarah will last in London?
23:17I give her three months
23:18before she comes crying home.
23:19She can barely run on a treadmill
23:21and she thinks she's gonna lose weight?
23:23The co-worker
23:23who had left the sticky note
23:25on my monitor
23:25added a caption.
23:27For eight years,
23:28this was what she had said
23:29when I wasn't around.
23:30No one had ever shown me before.
23:32Or maybe if they had,
23:33I would have made excuses for her.
23:35Now, finally.
23:36I didn't want to make excuses anymore.
23:39My phone rang.
23:43It was Nathan.
23:45How are you doing, Sarah?
23:47I'm good, Nathan.
23:48Sarah, there's a founder's
23:49networking event this weekend.
23:51Want to come?
23:52What kind?
23:55Mostly international trade.
23:56It lines up with
23:57what your company does.
23:58There'll be a few investors too.
24:01Never hurts to meet people.
24:01As I replied,
24:02I saved the screenshots
24:04of Sophie's messages.
24:05A reminder to myself,
24:06don't go soft again.
24:07At the networking event
24:08that weekend,
24:09Nathan introduced me
24:10to several people
24:11working in international trade.
24:12The conversations
24:13went surprisingly well.
24:14One investor seemed
24:15particularly interested
24:16in our company's business model.
24:18Before leaving,
24:18he exchanged contact information
24:20with me.
24:20Your international market
24:21case studies are interesting.
24:23Want to schedule a call next week?
24:24Absolutely.
24:25Nathan smiled at me.
24:28Sarah, you negotiate
24:29business deals more naturally
24:30than you make small talk now.
24:33Do I?
24:34Seriously,
24:35you barely talked before.
24:38You're completely different.
24:39Wind blew in from the Thames.
24:41Maybe.
24:42He didn't ask what I meant.
24:44Come on,
24:45I'll take you home.
24:45That night,
24:46I opened my laptop
24:47to organize the contacts
24:48I had collected at the event.
24:50Three messages from Luke
24:51appeared on my phone.
24:52Sarah,
24:52I'll be in London for work
24:53in early May.
24:54I'll be there for a week.
24:55Can we meet?
24:56After thinking about it.
24:57Busy.
24:58His reply came almost instantly.
24:59You don't even have time
25:00for one meal?
25:02Maybe not.
25:06I'll ask again
25:07when I get there.
25:08I didn't reply.
25:10Emma poked her head
25:11out of her room.
25:12That high school guy
25:13asked you out?
25:15He's coming here
25:16for work next month.
25:18Not him.
25:20Luke.
25:22Oh.
25:22I turned off the lamp.
25:23He's coming for work too.
25:24Emma was quiet
25:25for two seconds.
25:27You gonna see him?
25:28I stared at the ceiling.
25:30I don't know.
25:32Sarah,
25:32I'm only going to say
25:33one thing.
25:34Go ahead.
25:35Everyone else
25:36is moving forward.
25:37Don't turn around.
25:39Good night.
25:40Good night, Sarah.
25:42At the end of April,
25:43the company officially
25:44assigned me a new project.
25:46I would independently
25:47lead the international
25:48expansion strategy
25:49for a major e-commerce platform.
25:50It was the biggest project
25:51I had handled
25:52since arriving in London.
25:53My director called me
25:54into his office.
25:55I believe in your approach.
25:57Sarah,
25:58run with it.
25:59When I walked out
26:00of his office,
26:00my palms were damp
26:01from excitement.
26:03The kind that came
26:03from finally having
26:04someone trust me
26:05that night.
26:06I worked until 11
26:07putting together
26:07the project framework.
26:08When I finally got home,
26:09someone was leaning
26:10against the wall
26:11outside my apartment.
26:12Luke.
26:13He had arrived a week
26:14earlier than he'd said
26:15he would,
26:15and he held a paper bag.
26:16The second he saw me,
26:17he straightened.
26:19Why are you here?
26:20My trip got moved up.
26:22He looked at me,
26:23his eyes bright
26:23beneath the streetlight.
26:24His gaze lingered
26:25on my body again.
26:26You've lost so much weight.
26:28Are you even eating properly?
26:30I ignored the question.
26:31I'm busy.
26:33I know.
26:34He held out the bag.
26:34I passed a bakery
26:35and bought your favorite
26:36lemon tart.
26:37There was also a bag
26:38of chips inside.
26:39I didn't take it.
26:40Luke,
26:41don't you think
26:42showing up at my apartment
26:43without warning
26:44is a little inappropriate?
26:45His hand stiffened,
26:46then dropped.
26:47The paper bag swayed gently.
26:49So I need an appointment now?
26:51He smiled.
26:53When are you free, Sarah?
26:56Not this week.
26:57I'm rushing to finish a project.
26:59Next week?
27:00I don't know.
27:01He stared at me
27:02for several seconds.
27:04Are you actually busy
27:05or do you just not
27:05want to see me?
27:06Both,
27:07but I'm actually busy.
27:09Then I'll go.
27:10Take the lemon tart inside.
27:11Don't waste it.
27:12He walked two steps
27:13then stopped.
27:13Oh, right.
27:14He turned back.
27:16Sophie asked me
27:16to bring you a letter.
27:17It's in the bag.
27:18I glanced down at it.
27:19Why didn't you just message me?
27:21She says you don't read
27:22her messages.
27:24Then that means
27:24I don't want to read them.
27:26This time,
27:26he had nothing to say.
27:28He turned and left.
27:29I watched
27:29until his back
27:30disappeared
27:31at the end of the street.
27:32Then I picked up the bag.
27:35I gave the lemon tart to Emma.
27:38I opened Sophie's letter
27:39and read the first line.
27:41The handwriting was shaky
27:42as though she had written them
27:43while crying.
27:44Sarah,
27:44I know you're mad at me,
27:46but do you know
27:47how much I realized
27:47I depended on you
27:48after you left?
27:49There were several more pages.
27:51I folded the letter
27:51and put it in the back
27:53of a drawer,
27:53not because I couldn't bear
27:54to throw it away,
27:55because I wanted the reminder.
27:58The next afternoon,
27:59I was in a video meeting
28:00with a client
28:01when the system suddenly froze.
28:03I disconnected
28:03and tried to reconnect.
28:05Then a message
28:06appeared in our work chat.
28:08It was from client contact.
28:09That's Sarah.
28:10Good afternoon.
28:11Sophie said she was
28:12your alternate contact.
28:13Can you clarify
28:14what's going on?
28:14I stared at the screen.
28:16What the hell was happening?
28:19I called Sophie.
28:21She didn't answer
28:22the first time.
28:24She picked up
28:25on the second.
28:27Her voice sweet.
28:29Sarah!
28:30You finally called me!
28:32Sophie,
28:32why did you call my client?
28:34Silence for a second.
28:37Oh, that!
28:38I was just trying to help.
28:41You used to get nervous
28:42talking to clients,
28:43remember?
28:44I thought I'd introduce myself first
28:46and make things easier for you.
28:48I took a deep breath.
28:50Sophie,
28:51you contacted my client
28:53without my permission
28:54and pretended to be my co-worker.
28:57Do you understand
28:58how serious that is?
29:00Pretended?
29:01Her voice hurt.
29:04I didn't lie?
29:06I told them I was your friend.
29:10My client almost thought
29:11something had happened to me
29:12and that I couldn't manage
29:14the account anymore.
29:15But I explained it.
29:17I told them you were just
29:19really busy lately.
29:20Who asked you to explain
29:22anything for me?
29:23Silence.
29:24Then she inhaled.
29:24Her voice changed,
29:26becoming small and wounded.
29:27Sarah,
29:28I really was just trying to help.
29:30I felt guilty
29:32ever since you left.
29:36I wanted to make it up to you.
29:38I thought you'd be happy.
29:40Sophie,
29:40I don't need your help!
29:43And from now on,
29:44don't contact anyone
29:45connected to my work.
29:47I hung up.
29:49My hands were shaking.
29:51Not from anger.
29:53From the overwhelming relief
29:55of finally saying the words out loud.
29:59I explained the situation
30:00with Sophie to my director.
30:01He took it well.
30:03As long as it's handled.
30:04I also apologized to the client.
30:07Fortunately,
30:07they weren't too concerned
30:09and scheduled the official call
30:10for the next day.
30:11Everything was back on track.
30:13But that night,
30:14Luke messaged me.
30:15Sarah,
30:16Sophie cried all afternoon.
30:18I was completely calm.
30:20What does that have to do with me?
30:22She says you yelled at her.
30:23I didn't yell.
30:25I told her to stay out of my work.
30:26She was only trying to help.
30:28Luke!
30:28I cut him off.
30:30She impersonated someone
30:31from my company
30:32and called my client.
30:33You call that helping?
30:35Several seconds of silence.
30:36What do you mean?
30:37Exactly what I said.
30:39She called the office
30:40of a client I'm working with,
30:41claimed she was my alternate contact,
30:42and told them to coordinate with her.
30:44Another silence.
30:45Then he asked.
30:46Why would she do that?
30:47I laughed.
30:48You're asking me?
30:49Ask her.
30:50This time,
30:51he didn't defend Sophie.
30:52He didn't send another message either.
30:55The client call the next day went smoothly.
30:57They loved the proposal
30:58and confirmed their intent
31:00to move forward
31:00with the first phase on the spot.
31:03After the call ended,
31:04I sat staring at my computer screen
31:06for a while.
31:07I might have lost
31:08that million dollar deal before,
31:09but I was doing well in London.
31:11It wasn't about proving anything
31:12to anyone.
31:13I had finally learned
31:14that I wasn't someone
31:15who simply couldn't succeed.
31:17That afternoon,
31:18Nathan messaged me.
31:19Congrats on landing the project.
31:20Lunch is on me?
31:22How did you know?
31:23Your director is a friend of mine.
31:24He sent an emoji.
31:25He says his team found a gem.
31:27I stared at the word gem.
31:29Someone used a positive word
31:30to describe me.
31:31Not fatty.
31:32Not piggy.
31:33Not butterball.
31:34Can't do lunch?
31:35Dinner?
31:36Done.
31:36I'll book somewhere.
31:38Dinner was easy and enjoyable.
31:41Nathan told me he was planning
31:42to move into early stage investment
31:43and had been looking
31:44at international businesses.
31:46If this project goes well
31:48and your company needs funding later,
31:49we should talk.
31:50You'd invest in me?
31:52Your company.
31:53He smiled.
31:54Though if you ever start
31:55something yourself,
31:56I'd invest in that too.
31:58Stop joking.
31:59I'm not.
31:59He looked at me seriously.
32:01Sarah,
32:02you're a lot more capable
32:03than you think you are.
32:04It was drizzling
32:05when we left the restaurant.
32:07He handed me his umbrella.
32:08My car's in the garage.
32:09I won't need it.
32:10Thanks.
32:11You're welcome.
32:12He walked a few steps,
32:13then turned around.
32:14Oh, there's an exhibition next week
32:16related to your industry.
32:16Want to go?
32:17Sure.
32:19London in May smelled clean
32:21after the rain.
32:21I walked toward my apartment
32:23under Nathan's umbrella,
32:24feeling lighter than I had
32:25in a long time.
32:26Then my phone rang.
32:29It was Luke.
32:31Sarah,
32:31I looked into what Sophie
32:32did with your client.
32:33Okay.
32:34She was wrong,
32:35but...
32:36I waited for the but.
32:37She told me she was desperate
32:39to fix things between you.
32:40She knew you weren't reading
32:41her messages,
32:41so she was trying to find
32:42another way to reach you.
32:43I stood in the rain
32:44as the wind pushed
32:45my umbrella sideways.
32:46So calling my client
32:47was her way of reaching me?
32:48I know it sounds wrong.
32:50Then we agree.
32:51Sarah,
32:52can you give her another chance?
32:54I gave her eight years
32:56of chances.
32:57He went quiet.
32:58A long time has passed.
32:59Then he said,
33:00I'm going home next week.
33:02Okay.
33:03You really won't see me
33:04before I leave?
33:04I thought for a moment.
33:06Luke,
33:06did you actually come
33:07to London for work?
33:08Or did you come here for me?
33:09He said nothing.
33:10But this time,
33:12his silence wasn't
33:12an unclear signal.
33:13I understood it perfectly.
33:15He had come for me.
33:17He just would never
33:18say it outright.
33:19Because he was used
33:19to making me guess.
33:21Used to making me
33:21take the first step.
33:22Used to making me
33:23move closer.
33:24Then we don't need to meet.
33:26Sarah.
33:26When you get home,
33:27be good to Sophie.
33:29I hung up.
33:30The rain came down harder.
33:31I didn't run.
33:32I simply walked home
33:33beneath my umbrella.
33:34The cuffs of my pants
33:36got soaked.
33:37Water seeped into my shoes.
33:38But every step felt solid.
33:42The day Luke left,
33:44he sent me a very long message.
33:46I didn't open it.
33:47I simply scrolled past.
33:48I only caught
33:49the first few words.
33:51Sarah.
33:51Ever since high school.
33:53Enough.
33:54I didn't want to hear
33:54another story
33:55that started with
33:56ever since high school.
33:57June brought one of
33:58London's rare stretches
33:59of sunshine.
34:00The first phase
34:01of my project wrapped up.
34:03And the client's response
34:04exceeded expectations.
34:06During our review meeting,
34:07my director announced
34:08the contract value
34:09for phase two
34:10had doubled.
34:11I would still
34:12lead the team.
34:13Afterward,
34:13my co-workers
34:14congratulated me.
34:15Someone joked,
34:16Sarah,
34:17at this rate,
34:18are you going to open
34:18a whole new branch
34:19over here?
34:20Maybe.
34:23I knew you could do it.
34:24That night,
34:25we opened a bottle of wine
34:26and sat on the balcony.
34:27Do you regret coming to London?
34:29You tell me.
34:30No.
34:31Exactly.
34:33Have you thought about
34:33what happens next?
34:35Stay here,
34:35go back?
34:36I look toward the terms
34:37in the distance.
34:38I don't know.
34:39I'm focusing on
34:40what's in front of me.
34:42And what about your Luke?
34:43My Luke?
34:43Emma tapped her glass
34:44against mine.
34:45Don't pretend.
34:46I saw him through
34:47the peephole that night.
34:49He's pretty good looking.
34:50What good does that do?
34:52Fair.
34:52She shrugged.
34:53If he's not good to you,
34:54then he's not good enough.
34:56I smiled and finished my wine.
34:58At the beginning of July,
35:01Nathan officially confirmed
35:02his interest in investing
35:03in our company.
35:05During the first round
35:06of due diligence,
35:08he met with my director.
35:10When he came back,
35:11he said,
35:12Your boss thinks
35:13very highly of you.
35:16Really?
35:16He said the company
35:17had been stuck in this area
35:18before you arrived.
35:19You're the one
35:20who finally made
35:20the model work.
35:21I didn't respond.
35:22Nathan looked at me.
35:23Sarah,
35:24do you know
35:24what your problem is?
35:26What?
35:27You still don't really believe
35:28you deserve recognition.
35:32I froze.
35:33He continued.
35:34Whenever someone compliments you,
35:36your first response
35:36isn't thank you.
35:37It's really.
35:39Old habit.
35:40Habits can change.
35:42He smiled,
35:42then switched topics.
35:44My friend has an art show
35:45next weekend.
35:46Interested?
35:47What kind of art?
35:49Contemporary.
35:50Honestly,
35:50I don't understand
35:51half of it either.
35:52I mostly go for the experience.
35:53Then sure.
35:55In mid-July,
35:56I arrived at the exhibition
35:57and saw someone
35:58who had absolutely
35:59no reason
36:00to be in London.
36:01Sophie.
36:02She stood at the entrance
36:03in a floral dress.
36:04Her hair curled tightly.
36:06Then she saw me.
36:07Her smile froze.
36:09Sarah?
36:09Her gaze swept over me.
36:11Her eyes widened.
36:12You...
36:13How did you get this thin?
36:14It took her a full three seconds
36:15to swallow her shock
36:17and force the smile
36:17back onto her face.
36:19Oh my God!
36:21I barely recognized you!
36:23What are you doing here?
36:26Vacation!
36:26She hooked her arm
36:27through mine
36:28as naturally as ever.
36:29You never answer my messages,
36:30so I had to fly over
36:31and see you myself.
36:34Nathan walked up behind me
36:35and glanced at Sophie.
36:37Your friend?
36:37Sophie looked up at him.
36:38Her eyes brightened.
36:40Hi!
36:41I'm Sophie,
36:42Sarah's best friend.
36:43And you are?
36:44Nathan,
36:45Sarah's classmate.
36:45Sophie's smile widened.
36:47A classmate?
36:48Then let's all
36:48look around together.
36:50She naturally slipped
36:51between Nathan and me.
36:53I looked at her
36:54completely shameless face
36:55and took a slow breath.
36:57It was the same scene
36:58I had known for eight years.
37:00Sophie arrived
37:00and suddenly
37:01all the oxygen
37:03in the room
37:03belonged to her
37:04except this time
37:05was different.
37:06Sophie?
37:07Do you have
37:07Nathan's contact information?
37:09Huh?
37:10Not yet.
37:11Then maybe another time.
37:13I walked around
37:13to Nathan's other side.
37:14We're going in.
37:16Sophie's smile stiffened
37:17only for a second.
37:18Then it returned.
37:19She followed us
37:20into the gallery
37:21but I could feel
37:21her eyes on my back
37:22testing.
37:24Displeased.
37:24I didn't turn around.
37:27Halfway through
37:28the exhibition,
37:29Sophie kept finding
37:30excuses to move
37:31closer to Nathan.
37:32Wow, this one's
37:33so interesting.
37:33What do you think,
37:34Nathan?
37:36This gallery is huge.
37:38Do you come to places
37:38like this often?
37:40Nathan answered politely
37:41but his body remained
37:42angled toward me.
37:43I noticed Sophie's lips
37:44tighten.
37:45As we left the gallery,
37:46she stopped me.
37:47Sarah,
37:48can we talk privately?
37:49Nathan glanced at me.
37:50I nodded.
37:51He walked away
37:52to get a phone call.
37:53Sophie pulled me
37:53toward a bench
37:54in the corridor.
37:56Sarah,
37:56I've missed you so much.
37:58Her voice dropped.
37:59Her eyes turned red.
38:00After you left,
38:01I finally realized
38:02how hard life was
38:03without you.
38:04I looked at her.
38:06What was hard about it?
38:07She lowered her head
38:08and it's just
38:09and twisted her fingers
38:10together.
38:11No one at work
38:11hangs out with me anymore.
38:13Luke blames me too.
38:14He says you left
38:15because of me.
38:16Didn't I?
38:16Her head snapped up.
38:18Sarah,
38:18you think it was
38:19my fault too?
38:20I didn't answer.
38:21Her tears immediately
38:22spilled over.
38:23I know I wasn't
38:24perfect before
38:25but I really did
38:25think of you
38:26as my best friend.
38:27Your way of treating
38:28me like your best friend
38:29was calling me fatty
38:30in front of everyone.
38:32Imitating me,
38:33tugging down my clothes,
38:34mocking the sound
38:35of a chair under me,
38:36costing me a deal
38:37and then pretending
38:38to be my co-worker
38:39so you could contact
38:40my client.
38:41She cried harder.
38:42I didn't mean to.
38:43I really didn't know
38:44you cared that much.
38:45You didn't know?
38:46I thought you wouldn't
38:47get mad.
38:48Because I never got mad
38:48before, right?
38:53She froze.
38:54Tears clung to her cheeks.
38:56The old Sarah
38:56never got angry
38:57but that wasn't
38:58because I didn't care.
39:01It was because
39:01I was afraid to.
39:02Her lips moved.
39:04She seemed about
39:04to say something.
39:05And Sophie,
39:06there's something else
39:06I want to ask you.
39:08How did you know
39:09I'd be at this exhibition?
39:10Her hand stopped
39:11halfway through.
39:12What?
39:12You acted like
39:13running into me
39:14was a coincidence
39:15that this exhibition
39:16wasn't publicly advertised.
39:17It was invitation only.
39:19Her expression changed
39:20only for an instant
39:21but I saw it.
39:24I asked the organizers.
39:25There's no Sophie
39:26on the guest list.
39:29I stood.
39:30You went through
39:31found information
39:32about Nathan
39:33and tracked down
39:34this event.
39:34She stopped talking.
39:36Tears were still
39:37running down her face
39:38but she wasn't
39:39crying anymore.
39:40Sophie,
39:40you didn't fly
39:41all the way to London
39:42to see me.
39:43She looked up.
39:44Her eyes had changed.
39:46The hurt.
39:47Pitiful Sophie
39:47was gone.
39:48In her place
39:49was someone cold.
39:50Someone I had
39:51never seen before.
39:52So what?
39:52Her voice was low.
39:54You think you can
39:54run off to London
39:55dump everyone you knew
39:56and start over?
39:57Sarah, without me
39:58and Luke
39:59you're nothing.
40:00My heart didn't
40:01even beat faster
40:02because she had already
40:03typed those words
40:04to me once.
40:05Back then
40:06she'd wrapped them
40:07in a teasing tone
40:08and cute emojis.
40:10Now she had finally
40:11stopped pretending.
40:12She stared at my thinner face.
40:14So what if you lost weight?
40:17You think being skinny
40:18suddenly makes you special?
40:20Deep down
40:21you're still that same fatty.
40:25Sophie
40:26I have a good life in London.
40:31My work is going well.
40:32I have good friends.
40:36I don't need anyone
40:38to build my confidence for me.
40:39I don't need anyone
40:41to speak for me
40:41and I don't need anyone
40:43calling me fatty.
40:45I know you're not used to that
40:47because you were used to
40:48keeping me beside you
40:49so I could make you
40:49look better.
40:51But that girl is gone.
40:52Her jaw tightened.
40:54Her lips pressed
40:55into a thin line.
40:56Then she smiled.
40:57A faint, bitter smile.
41:00Whether I'm thin or not
41:01you never had the right
41:02to call me fatty.
41:04I didn't lose weight
41:05to become someone else
41:06and I didn't do it
41:08to make you regret anything.
41:09I did it because
41:10I wanted to be myself.
41:12Sophie's eyes hardened.
41:14Well look at you Sarah.
41:16Think you're too good
41:17for us now?
41:20Fine.
41:21Just wait.
41:22She stood.
41:23Grabbed her purse
41:24and walked away.
41:25Her heels struck
41:26the gallery floor
41:26harder with every step.
41:28I watched her leave.
41:29I wasn't nervous.
41:30I wasn't afraid.
41:31I only remembered
41:32one thought.
41:33The person left behind
41:34eventually learned
41:35how to get ahead.
41:37Nathan came back
41:38and glanced in the direction
41:39Sophie had disappeared.
41:41Everything okay?
41:42Yeah.
41:43Ready to go?
41:44There's a good sushi place nearby.
41:45Let's go.
41:46That night
41:47when I got home
41:49I deleted Sophie and Luke
41:50from my contacts.
41:52I didn't block them.
41:53I deleted them.
41:54Blocking meant
41:55I still cared enough
41:56to keep a wall between us.
41:58Deleting meant
41:58I didn't need them anymore.
42:00What happened?
42:01I finally said everything
42:02I needed to say
42:03to the people from my past.
42:05And then?
42:08I leaned against the entryway
42:09and looked at the warm lights
42:11in my apartment
42:11at the sunflowers
42:13I had bought for myself
42:14sitting on the coffee table.
42:15I smiled.
42:16There is no then.
42:18Three days after Sophie
42:20returned home from London
42:21I received an email
42:22from HR
42:22at my former company.
42:24The subject read
42:24Regarding confidentiality obligations
42:27following Sarah's departure.
42:29The email was long.
42:30The point was simple.
42:31The NDAI had signed
42:33when I left covered ownership
42:34of certain client data
42:35and someone had accused me
42:36of taking confidential company files.
42:38The whistleblower wasn't named
42:39but the email included one detail.
42:41Following an internal review.
42:43The records in question
42:44were last accessed
42:45using Sarah's employee ID
42:47on the afternoon
42:48of her final day.
42:49I read it twice.
42:50I hadn't even been
42:51at the office that afternoon.
42:52I cried in my car
42:54then went straight home
42:55to pack.
42:56I called the co-worker
42:57who had left the sticky note
42:58on my monitor.
42:59She answered in a low voice.
43:00Sarah, I was about to call you.
43:02Everyone at the company
43:03is saying you stole client files
43:04and left.
43:04Who said that?
43:05Who else?
43:07Sophie.
43:07She lowered her voice even more.
43:12She says she's your closest person
43:13that you told her
43:14you copied the files
43:15just in case.
43:16Since when did I...
43:17I know it's not true
43:18but HR has already
43:19opened an investigation.
43:20Were you really not back
43:21at the office that afternoon?
43:22No.
43:23My access card record
43:24can prove it.
43:25Then you need to find
43:26evidence fast.
43:27Sophie gave the boss
43:28very specific details.
43:31After we hung up
43:32I sat at my desk
43:34and took several deep breaths.
43:36Sophie had said
43:36just wait
43:37so this was what she had meant.
43:39I opened my laptop
43:40and pulled up
43:41every record I had
43:42from the day I resigned.
43:44Slack location data
43:45showed that I had spent
43:46the afternoon
43:46in an underground parking garage.
43:48My ride history
43:49credit card transactions
43:50the access log
43:51from my apartment building
43:52every record pointed
43:54to the same conclusion.
43:55I had never gone back
43:56to the office.
43:57Then how had someone
43:57logged in with my employee ID?
43:59It took me three seconds.
44:01Only Sophie knew
44:02my workstation password.
44:04Once
44:05her computer had stopped working
44:06and she asked
44:07to borrow mine.
44:08I had typed the password
44:09right in front of her.
44:10She laughed.
44:11Your password is seriously
44:12that easy?
44:13Fatty really is fatty.
44:14I organized every screenshot
44:16and sent them to HR
44:17at my former company.
44:18I copied my former director
44:20in the legal department
44:20by the time I finished.
44:21It was two in the morning.
44:22Emma got up to use the bathroom
44:24and saw the lights
44:24still on in my studies.
44:26What happened now?
44:28I gave her the short version.
44:29By the time I finished
44:30her expression had darkened.
44:31That's literally framing you.
44:33Yeah.
44:34Is your friend insane?
44:36Maybe she always was.
44:37I just thought it was a cold before.
44:39Turns out it was a tumor.
44:40Emma poured me a glass of water.
44:42If you need help, ask.
44:43Don't carry this alone.
44:45I know.
44:45The next morning at work
44:47I told my director in London
44:48what had happened.
44:49If your evidence trail is solid,
44:51you're fine.
44:51Let legal handle the rest.
44:53Then he patted my shoulder.
44:53Keep doing your job.
44:55Don't let this throw you off.
44:58That afternoon,
44:59I got a message from Luke.
45:00A new number.
45:01I deleted his old one.
45:02Sarah,
45:02I heard about Sophie reporting you.
45:04I stared at the message
45:05for a long time.
45:06Then replied with one word.
45:08Okay.
45:09You definitely weren't back
45:10at the office that afternoon, right?
45:11No.
45:12What about your badge records?
45:14Legal already has them.
45:17Good.
45:18A moment later,
45:19another message appeared.
45:20I'll make Sophie withdraw the complaint.
45:22I stared at the screen.
45:23Make her withdraw it.
45:25Luke,
45:25this has already entered
45:26a formal legal process.
45:29She doesn't get to take it back
45:30whenever she feels like it.
45:32Silence again.
45:33After a long time,
45:34he replied.
45:35Sarah,
45:36what she did was wrong.
45:38But you don't have to,
45:39don't have to what?
45:40Turn this into something huge.
45:42She just,
45:44just what?
45:45Falsely accused me
45:46of stealing company files?
45:47Tried to stain my professional record?
45:49I waited five minutes,
45:51then deleted the new number too.
45:52When Emma came home,
45:53she found me sitting on the couch.
45:55Legal.
45:55We'll get back to you?
45:56Yeah.
45:57They said the evidence
45:57is more than enough.
45:58HR confirmed I wasn't responsible.
46:00The complaint was dismissed.
46:02Good.
46:03They also said I could take legal action
46:04if I wanted.
46:06Are you going to?
46:07I thought for a moment.
46:08Not right now.
46:09Why?
46:10Because I don't want to spend
46:11any more of my energy on her.
46:12Sarah,
46:12you're a hundred times more beautiful
46:13now than when I first met you.
46:15I smiled.
46:15In what way?
46:16Inside.
46:18At the end of July,
46:19the contract for phase two
46:21of the project
46:21was officially signed.
46:22The signing took place
46:23in our company conference room.
46:25It wasn't huge,
46:25but everyone who mattered
46:26was there.
46:27I spoke on behalf of the team.
46:28My voice stayed steady.
46:29I didn't stumble once.
46:30When I finished my last sentence
46:32and sat down,
46:32Nathan smiled at me
46:33from across the table.
46:34He silently mouthed one word.
46:36Impressive.
46:37After the meeting,
46:38he came over.
46:39Dinner tonight.
46:39We're celebrating.
46:41You're buying me dinner again?
46:42Because this deserves celebrating.
46:44That evening,
46:44we sat outside at a restaurant
46:45by the river beneath warm lights.
46:47So what's next?
46:48The contract is for three years.
46:50I'm going to focus on doing this well.
46:52Three years in London?
46:54Yeah.
46:56He nodded.
46:57Perfect.
46:59What's perfect?
47:00Instead of answering,
47:01he raised his glass.
47:03To Sarah's next three years.
47:05And thank you for looking out for me
47:07these past six months.
47:09I wasn't looking out for you.
47:11I wanted to be there.
47:12I met his eyes.
47:13There was nothing but admiration in them.
47:15No pity.
47:16No condescending urge to protect me.
47:18No attitude that said you'd be the poor thing.
47:20Let me save you.
47:21Nathan?
47:23Yeah?
47:24Are you trying to date me?
47:28He froze.
47:30And he laughed.
47:32You finally noticed?
47:34Couldn't you have built up to it a little?
47:35I've been building up to it
47:37for six months, Sarah.
47:38Are you really that oblivious
47:39or are you pretending?
47:40I stared at him.
47:41Don't call me oblivious.
47:42His smile faded.
47:43Okay.
47:43I won't.
47:44What should I call you then?
47:45Just my name.
47:47Sarah.
47:49Yeah.
47:50Sarah, Sarah, Sarah.
47:52Oh my God, stop.
47:53He laughed,
47:53tipping his head back slightly.
47:55London's rare stars reflected in his eyes.
47:58So will you think about it?
48:00Think about what?
48:01Letting me officially pursue you.
48:03I'll think about it.
48:04No rush.
48:05I'll wait.
48:05I walked slowly on the way home that night.
48:07Even in July,
48:08a London night air carried a slight chill,
48:10but I felt warm inside.
48:13When I reached my apartment building,
48:15my phone buzzed.
48:17A text from an unfamiliar number back home.
48:19Sarah, I'm in London.
48:20I'm downstairs.
48:23I looked up.
48:27Luke stood beneath the streetlight outside my building.
48:29This time,
48:30he hadn't arrived a week early.
48:31He had simply appeared.
48:32There was no lemon tart in his hands.
48:34No paper bag.
48:35Nothing.
48:35He stood there as though he had been waiting for a long time.
48:38When he saw me,
48:38he straightened.
48:39There were only 15 or 20 feet between us.
48:42Sarah,
48:42I forced Sophie to withdraw the accusation.
48:45Legal already closed the case.
48:48I stayed where I was.
48:50So?
48:51His voice dropped.
48:53So...
48:53Something seemed caught in his throat.
48:55So I wanted to tell you I'm sorry.
48:57The night wind swept in from the river.
48:59In eight years,
48:59this was the first time Luke had ever apologized to me.
49:02Luke.
49:02Yeah?
49:03That apology came way too late.
49:05I know.
49:06And you know what else?
49:06What?
49:07I don't need it anymore.
49:08I saw his fingers curl into a fist.
49:10Don't.
49:10Go home.
49:11I walked around him and entered the apartment building,
49:13closed my eyes for a moment,
49:15and took a deep breath.
49:17What happened?
49:19I smiled.
49:20Nothing.
49:22Set an alarm for me before tomorrow's morning meeting, okay?
49:25Working late again?
49:26No.
49:30I dropped onto the couch and stared at the ceiling.
49:34I just want to get to the office early tomorrow.
49:37Because tomorrow was a new day.
49:39New work.
49:39A new life that belonged entirely to me.
49:42Sarah was Sarah.
49:43Not fatty.
49:43Not piggy.
49:44Not butterball.
49:45Not anyone's accessory.
49:46And I wasn't someone who needed a number on a scale to prove her worth.
49:49Still, I was glad about those 34 pounds.
49:51They were proof of how hard I had fought to take myself back from them.
49:54Outside, the lights of London burned all night.
49:57I slept deeply, and I didn't dream.
49:58And I was so glad that I was ready.
50:02One more time.
50:02I was so glad to be here.
50:03I've liked that.