1 Chapter 1

You know that girl you go to school with and they call her Chubby, Porky, whale, Fiona and an endless number of nicknames, well that's me.

I'm 20 years old and overweight and I'm 1.56 meters tall, I know I'm short, although since I was a child my weight has been a concern for my family, I've been able to cope with puberty, I must admit that wearing baggy clothes twice your size all through high school has not helped my self"esteem.

Now I just hope to finish high school and start a new college life.

"Do you think my life isn't difficult?

I've never been on a romantic date or kissed a guy not to mention I'm still the only virgin in the room and not by choice believe me.

Maybe my looks are the culprit, wearing white t"shirts and 90's jeans doesn't bring out my figure, plus I wear braces and glasses, a complete fat nerd.

I live in Boston, in a suburban house, my parents are loving and have been happily married for 20 years, I'm an only child so you can imagine how overprotective they can be.

My father is Turkish, his name is Kiral Tekin, he is good looking, too bad I didn't inherit his beauty, only his green eyes and blond hair, he has his own mechanics business.

And he is my advisor in life, we are a very close family.

I am at home enjoying my summer vacation waiting for my acceptance letter from Harvard University, I filled out my application letter with my friend Caroline Jhonson, we have known each other since elementary school and have been inseparable, she was accepted to the university and I am still waiting.

We are both in my room when my mother walks in the door unannounced with excitement.

" The letter has arrived! Mel. "

"Really, Mom. "

I hurried down the stairs to the dining room where all the mail is, my heart is pounding with nerves, Caroline opens the letter for me and I take a breath of air exhaling slowly.

I began to read its contents.

"Please God! I hope I have been accepted. "

Caroline can't hold her anxiety and comes to my side to read it with me, my mom is nervous, she almost eats her nails with despair.

" And what does the letter say! you girls are killing me with doubt. "

" Mrs. McKenzie, Mel... she... it was... "

Caroline covers her mouth with her hands.

" It was... What? Speak up already.

" Miss Melek tekin Mckenzie, Harvard University notifies you that your scholarship has been approved. I've been accepted! "

" Screaming and jumping up and down with happiness.

My mother lets out a scream of excitement and happiness hugging me so tightly that I feel like it will break my ribs.

"Oh my God, what great news, your father has to know about this. "

She picks up his cell phone and is calling my dad.

That night my dad came home early from work and we went out to dinner at a restaurant to celebrate, I only had a week to move to Cambridge.

But all in all it would be new experiences, new year, new city, new people, new me.

That week flew by , my dad accompanies me to Cambridge, kind of embarrassing for my taste but I get it we are very close , tomorrow will be the first day of orientation and today I am here to move into my dorm.

My dad helps me get my bags out of the car , when I see Caroline too, she walks up to us.

" Hi Mr. Kiral, I didn't think I would see you here? "

" I'm helping Mel with the move.

" Well, from here I think I can do it alone dad. "

My dad hugs me tight already saying goodbye to me, I can feel the stares all around me.

" You call me every day it's okay, I'll miss you a lot sweetie. "

" I promise daddy, I love you very much take care of yourself. "

" Me too, you're my little girl. "

My father gets in the car and drives off, Caroline accompanies me helping me load the boxes.

" Which is your room? Let me see the paper. "

" I think it's 17B.

" That's great, my room is 2B we're kind of close although my roommate is kind of weird you know. "

"How so? "

" You'll meet her. "

She came to the room, but to my surprise I have no roommate, apparently I will be on my own, I think it's better. I am finishing unpacking and arranging my clothes when Caroline enters my room with her new roommate.

She's a girl with a manly cut and aesthetic makeup with a nose piercing and tattoos on her collarbone, she's pretty cute her style of dress is a black square skirt and black off the shoulder top, with black tights and boots.

" Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Izy. " Extending her hand.

" Hi, I'm Melek. "

"What name is that? "

"It's of Turkish origin, it means Angel, but you can call me Mel. "

" Sounds good to me, so girls, where are we going to go? " smiling.

" Yeah well, I thought... it would be nice to get out, see the city a little bit," exclaims Caroline.

" Well, I don't know, I wanted to get ready for tomorrow. "

" Tomorrow is the orientation you need to prepare, let's enjoy the new city or you are going to hide like a bookworm... Let's go... "Caroline is pouting at me.

" It's okay, let me change. "

I open my closet and Izy sees my wardrobe.

I put on a white t"shirt and blue jeans with tennis shoes, my glasses and a side braid.

" You're old fashioned and that t"shirt looks like sheets, don't you have something more fitted. "

" Not really, all my clothes are baggy. "

" You need an urgent makeover. "

" I'm not a teenager, obsessed with her image. "

" Well let's go, hurry up! "exclaims Caroline.

We are in a pizzeria, the place is nice and we start talking about us to get to know each other better.

Izy also studied Arts like me, I was quite surprised.

"Why are you studying Arts Izy? "

" My mother has a tattoo shop and I wanted to follow the family business, but I got this scholarship so I can't waste this opportunity.

Caroline interrupts.

" I'm into digital animation and designing the best video games. "

At that Caroline's phone rings and she moves away to answer it, it must be her boyfriend calling.

Caroline is pretty and kind hearted, her boyfriend is in Boston he is the quarterback of our old school, she is very much in love with him and they make a beautiful couple he athletic and she wears fashionable clothes, her hair is straight with a slim and trim figure, her eyes are brown with a snub nose, if I were to define myself mathematically in scores I would be like a five and Caroline an eight.

" Do you have a boyfriend Mel? "Izy asks curiously.

Snapping me out of my thoughts.

" No, I don't and you. "