#Chapter 14: New Beginnings

Celeste

Things were just beginning to look up.

I was beginning to feel myself growing a little in confidence. My conversation with Fiona was flowing freely, punctuated by our laughter and the sound of the lively pop music in my ears, as we worked out together.

I really was beginning to enjoy myself.

“Hey,” I said to Fiona, smiling. “This whole gym thing actually isn’t that bad.”

“See? I told you!” Fiona grinned. She shot me two finger guns as she backpedaled over to the water fountain.

But that enjoyment, that growth in confidence, was short-lived. Because I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to see none other than Sabrina.

“Celeste,” she hissed, her eyes narrowed as a smirk came across her lips. “Fancy seeing you here. Trying to fit in with the gym crowd now?”

Sabrina’s sneer was almost palpable, cutting through the humid air of the gym and landing squarely on me.

“O-Oh, hey, Sabrina—”

“Celeste,” she interrupted, the corners of her cherry-red lips twitching upward. “Do you