The Forgotten Neighbor

At seventeen, Beatrixa Watson and her neighbor Maverick Fuller tasted forbidden fruit, hiding their romance from everyone.

That day, she nervously held her homework, seeking his help.

Her budding affection burned too brightly. He noticed her feelings and gently coaxed her to lift her skirt.

"Don't be afraid. It won't hurt," he said.

Her unease and resistance melted under his charming, tender smile.

After that day, whenever Beatrixa visited him next door, his voice carried a teasing warmth. "I worked so hard helping you with your problems, Bae. How about a little reward for me?"

Her cheeks flushed as she agreed. When passion took over, he always kissed her forehead. "Bae, you're so good. I really like you."

He promised to go public with their relationship once she got into his university.

But when she arrived at his house, clutching her acceptance letter with excitement, his careless, mocking voice stopped her cold. "The only one I care about is Bailee. Beatrixa's just the neighbor girl. If Bailee hadn't been abroad as an exchange student this past year, and if Beatrixa didn't look a bit like her, I'd never have been with someone as overweight as her. Now that Bailee's back, it's time to ditch this problem."

...

Beatrixa stood frozen outside the door, her blood turning to ice.

"When are you dumping her? Why not call her over before you do and let us have a taste?" one of his friends said.

"We've never tried a chubby girl. I hear they feel good, nice and soft."

In the living room, Maverick's friends chuckled with suggestive grins.

Beatrixa's heart sank, her stomach twisting with dread.

She knew she should leave, block Maverick's number, and never look back, but her feet felt rooted to the ground.

A faint hope lingered in her chest, hoping that even if Maverick didn't love her, he wouldn't stoop so low as to offer her up to his friends.

Maverick's brow furrowed, his expression darkening. "No way. She's too in love with me. She'd never agree."

One of them chimed in with a suggestion. "Get her drunk, blindfold her. She won't know what's happening."

Maverick's face stayed cold, and he said nothing.

His friends exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing. "Maverick, don't tell me you're actually into that chubby girl."

Beatrixa held her breath, a flicker of hope rising in her heart.

But then, like a bucket of cold water, his next words crushed her.

"There's no way I'd ever like her," Maverick said, his voice dripping with disdain. "She's got bad grades, she's fat, insecure, and timid. What's there to like? If you guys want to mess around, go ahead. I'll call her over."

His words stabbed into Beatrixa's heart like shards of ice.

Her vision blurred, and she nearly collapsed.

The boy she'd secretly loved for ten years saw her this way.

Just yesterday, when he kissed her, he called her sweet, saying he loved how sensible and gentle she was.

Now, his voice was cold and disgusted, calling her fat, insecure, and unworthy of his affection.

Beatrixa's phone was on silent. When Maverick called, she stared at the screen but didn't answer.

No one inside noticed she was standing just outside the door.

The call went unanswered and disconnected. Then a message from Maverick popped up. "Bae, did you get your acceptance letter? Come over to my place. I've got a surprise for you."

Her hands and feet felt like ice, tears streaming down her cheeks and falling to the ground.

After a long moment, she wiped her eyes, turned, and went home. With red-rimmed eyes, she spoke to her parents. "Mom, Dad, I don't want to stay here for university. I'm going with you to study in Elda."