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"Sorry, I only think of you as my best friend. Nothing more, nothing less," she said, her voice calm but firm.

I felt a pang in my chest. Of course, I knew I was aiming too high. But I had to try—to see if she felt the same way.

I nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I understand. Thank you."

Even though it stung, I was grateful. At least she valued our friendship enough to be honest with me. And despite the ache, I appreciated her for always being there for me.

Beatrice—my childhood friend and the girl I confessed to earlier—is well-known for her beauty and intelligence. She's the kind of person everyone admires. Boys and girls alike gravitate toward her, drawn to her perfection. From academics and sports to music, there isn't a single thing she doesn't excel in.

Unlike her, I've always been the opposite. Fat, awkward, and just barely managing to stay in the first class. It felt inevitable, really. I knew this moment would come, where she'd gently tell me she never saw me as more than a friend.

Still, I'm a bit sad. How could I not be? But I also know I have no right to feel this way. Beatrice and I grew distant after starting high school—it was bound to happen. I can't be selfish about it now. At least she still sees me as a friend, and that's something I'll always treasure.

Maybe it's time for me to start a new chapter in my life.

One summer holiday, I found myself with nothing but time. I had finished all my homework earlier than expected—a daunting stack that I managed to tackle surprisingly fast. Glancing at the clock, I saw it was only 11:49 a.m. Still early. There was plenty of the day left to fill.

I decided to keep myself busy. After doing some chores, I played a few games and flipped through some books. When hunger struck, I challenged myself in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes to improve my cooking skills. Living alone in this house had been tough at first, but I'd learned to manage. My former roommate, Lim, had moved out a while ago. He was athletic, driven, and wealthy—a combination I admired but felt distant from.

Before leaving, Lim had generously left behind his sports equipment, telling me, "Use it if you want to. It's good for you." His words echoed in my mind as I stared at the dusty dumbbells and workout bands. Why not? Maybe it was time to put them to use. Perhaps I could start shedding some of the fat I'd been carrying around for too long.

That's when I decided to begin a daily workout routine. With the help of advice from online resources and some tips Lim had casually thrown my way before he left, I got started. It felt awkward and exhausting at first, but there was also a strange sense of accomplishment. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was doing something for myself.

This might just be the beginning of something new.

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