What had happened to the girl that smiled so happily? She was long gone and there was no turning back. I smiled weakly and looked at the mirror. I was dismayed at the sight. Even after all my hard work, I was still fat. Anger and humiliation filled inside me. I could still hear the snickering and the grossed looks the kids in my hallway gave me. I was not going to go through the same day again. With another push, the rest of the food hacked out of my mouth and into the toilet. I couldn’t help but feel satisfied by the sour taste in my mouth. Turning on the sink, I got a glimpse of a face. Her eyes were sunken into a gaunt face. I coiled back in horror. Blinking again, I saw a doughy white face with puffed cheeks. If only I could burn off all my fat with a match like a candle light does to wax. How much would life be easier then? Leaning on luck alone, I got out the bathroom and headed toward my closet. Inside was a dress; the dress that started it all. When I first eyed it at the department store, I knew I was going to buy it. To my dismay, my size was not there. I snatched the biggest size from the rack which looked like a handkerchief next to me. The worker that assisted me to the desk was a tan blonde that I could imagine flirting at the beach with tequila in hand. She gave me a funny look when I handed her the dress. She looked at the tag and eyed me once more. I was clearly larger than the size the dress could fit. With a bright smile, she asked if I wanted it wrapped for a gift. Behind the feigned kindness, I could tell that she was asking if it was for a skinny person and not me, a fat woman. Mumbling, I told her that it was for me and I didn’t need it wrapped. She was clearly shocked. Taking the bag from her hands, I walked towards the exit. Behind, I could hear giggles. It didn’t take much to know that the laughter was from the blonde. With what seemed like a fast walk, I had reached the parking lot. Looking at the mirror, I saw my face. It was red and beaded with sweat. Just a walk had made me lose my breath and fogged up the rearview mirror. Thus, that is how my escapade began. I had suffered sweat, tears, and vomit for this dress. With my shaking hands I reached towards it. Today was the day. It had to be. Pleading silently, I unzipped the dress and over my shoulders. Just like Cinderella’s slipper, the dress fit! I couldn’t help but scream with joy. The victory was short-lived. The mirror showed a sad case of me with my shoulder blades protruding and a dress that was struggling to stay on. I had become something I vowed I never would be. My spindle arms looked so fragile and my bony neck craned to look at the back of me. I could count every hump of the spine. As I kept examining myself, I saw my thighs. They needed to be thinner. Yanking off the dress, I put on my running clothes and started to tie my shoes. I knew I was going to stop doing this to my body. I had promised myself yesterday. I deserved to be better. Reassuring myself, I closed the door. I will stop all this tomorrow…..