The weight disappeared, yes.
But the biggest change… was mental.
For the first time, I looked at myself.
And I didn’t feel like anyone’s disappointment.
I felt powerful.
Six months flew by.
Wedding weekend has arrived.
And when I showed up at the rehearsal dinner… in a tight navy blue dress…
My mom’s jaw literally dropped.
Before they wanted it to ‘shrink’ so that it seemed good to them…
But now… my confidence is what they cannot control.
I wonder… what will they do now?
Part 2…
My father couldn’t seem to decide whether to smile or panic.
The eyes of Camila they opened wide and I caught her fiancé staring at me for too long.
And then Camila grabbed my wrist and whispered with clenched teeth:
—You have to stop doing that.
I blinked.
—Stop doing what?
His face tensed.
—Stop looking at me like that…
And at that moment I realized: my transformation did not make them proud.
It was scaring them.
Because now she was no longer the “older sister”.
I was competition.
And Camila… couldn’t stand it.
The next morning, Camila showed up at my hotel room without warning. I was still in my pajamas, drinking coffee, when she came in as if she were the owner of the place. She had perfectly curly hair and shiny nails. His smile was penetrating.
—Mom and dad are worried—he said, as if he were conveying an official message.
I stared at her.
—Worried why?
She crossed her arms.
—About how you behave.
I almost laughed.
—Acting? I’ve barely spoken to anyone.
Camila narrowed her eyes.
—You came in last night and suddenly everyone saw you. You know what you’re doing.
—It’s ridiculous —I said—. I came to support you.
But she didn’t care. I was falling into a spiral.
—Do you remember —he said slowly— what it was like before? You were always… bigger. Everyone knew I was the pretty one.
My stomach fell out.
—You’re saying the quiet part out loud —I replied.
He shrugged as if it were obvious.w
—Was comfortable. For all.
I couldn’t believe my ears.
—So you preferred that I not be happy.
Camila sighed dramatically.
