My Cousin Thought I Was Catfishing, but I Showed Up Stunning

At my heaviest, I weighed 330 pounds. For the man I’d fallen for online, I lost 231 pounds and got down to just ninety-nine. When I finally sent my online boyfriend my first selfie, I was a nervous wreck. He’d always been distant and reserved, but that night, he suddenly became incredibly affectionate and kept me on the phone for three hours. The next day, I came across a post online. [You guys won’t believe this. My pig of a cousin is catfishing someone, and she just happened to target the guy I’ve been crushing on!] [Last night, he wouldn’t stop showing off his gorgeous online girlfriend. I was pretty upset at first, but aside from that stunning fake photo, every other detail matched my three-hundred-pound cousin!] The comments were filled with people laughing and urging the poster to expose me immediately. But she refused. [Where’s the fun in exposing her now?] [I’m putting together a little gathering so they can meet in person. You have no idea how disgusting my cousin looks. She’s so fat you can barely make out her features. One look at her, and he’ll be too traumatized to ever date online again!] [Then I’ll make my move. Hehe.] I was about to scroll past when my phone buzzed. My cousin, who hadn’t contacted me in over a year, had suddenly sent me a message. [I’m coming home tomorrow. Dinner’s on me. You have to come, okay?] Chapter 1 The moment the message appeared, my hand shook. Before I could respond, I was added to a group chat called 'Welcome Home, Maya'. More people joined one after another. Then I spotted a familiar profile picture and nearly dropped my phone. Julian Shaw. My online boyfriend of a year and a half. We’d met on an academic forum. While I was dieting, exercising, and working on my research, he’d been there for me. During my lowest moments, he’d stayed up with me through countless revisions of my proposal. My grip tightened around my phone. So Maya Lane really was the person behind that post. Someone in the chat quickly noticed Julian. 'Julian’s coming too? Maya, you must be pretty important!' 'I heard Julian’s almost impossible to get hold of at his lab overseas, but Maya managed to invite him the moment she came home.' Maya sent a blushing emoji. 'Don’t start. He’s only coming to welcome me home.' Then she tagged me directly. 'Hazel, you’re the person I want to see most. You have to come!' Julian, who hadn’t said anything until then, suddenly appeared. 'Hazel?' The chat instantly went silent. Maya acted as though she’d only just noticed. 'Julian, you know my cousin?' His reply came almost immediately. 'She’s my girlfriend.' Those three words unleashed a flood of question marks. Several of my former high school classmates emerged from the shadows. 'Hazel Lane? Online dating?' 'Are we talking about the Hazel Lane I know?' My chest tightened. Throughout all three years of high school, the room would go quiet whenever I entered. Then the mocking laughter would begin. When I sat down, they’d joke that my chair was about to collapse. When I ate, they’d say the pig was back at the trough. During gym, they’d run behind me and imitate my heavy breathing. My cousin Maya was always at the center of the crowd, smiling as she pretended to defend me. “Don’t say that about my cousin. She’s just a little overweight. “But Hazel, you really should eat less. Everyone’s only saying it because they care.” It took me years to understand that she’d enjoyed watching me get humiliated. The more pathetic I looked, the prettier and kinder she seemed by comparison. Maya sent a voice message. “Oh my God. So the gorgeous girlfriend Julian was bragging about last night was our Hazel? I can hardly believe it.” She followed it with a hand-over-mouth emoji. “But the Hazel I remember looks a little different from the girl in that photo.” “I’m not trying to cause trouble.” “I just don’t want Julian getting his hopes too high. He should probably prepare himself before meeting her.” My stomach churned as I read her messages. Leah Grant immediately joined in. She’d been Maya’s most devoted follower in high school. 'A little different? They’re practically different species.' 'You have to be careful with online dating these days. You never know what kind of monster is hiding behind the screen!' Maya replied with a laugh. “Come on. People can change a lot after high school. Maybe Hazel’s beautiful now.” I was about to explain that my photo hadn’t been edited or filtered when a private message from Julian appeared. ‘I didn’t know you knew Maya. She’s part of the joint research program at my lab.’ 'Hazel, we really were meant to find each other.' The tightness in my chest finally eased. I typed three words in reply. 'See you tomorrow.' Then I looked at myself in the mirror. The woman staring back at me had a slim waist, long legs, and flawless skin. Anger had left the corners of her eyes faintly red. She was breathtaking. This time, I wasn’t running away. Chapter 2 The next morning, Leah bombarded me with private messages. ‘So it really is you dating the guy Maya likes?’ I ignored her. But Leah kept messaging me anyway. ‘You used to be so quiet and well-behaved. When did you start stealing other people’s pictures and catfishing men? Seriously, have you no shame?’ ‘Let me make one thing clear. Maya likes Julian, so you two are never going to work out.’ ‘Back in high school, Maya was the beautiful swan and you were the bloated pig. You seriously think you can compete with her?’ ‘What if Julian’s traumatized after meeting you? He might have nightmares about your three-hundred-pound body crushing him to death. Do you really want that on your conscience?’ I stared at the screen. Memories from high school came rushing back. Leah had always loved joining Maya in humiliating me. Whenever I ran past her during gym, she would clutch her chest dramatically. “Oh my God, I thought she was going to run into me! At her size, she’d break every bone in my body!” The entire class would burst out laughing. Even the gym teacher laughed along. Once, when I went to buy a school uniform, the clerk warned me that even their largest size might not fit. Leah had doubled over laughing. “Everyone, look! Hazel’s about to burst right out of her uniform! How does a person even get that big?” Back then, I hadn’t known how to defend myself. All I could do was keep my head down and endure their laughter. But things were different now. Since Leah was so convinced I’d stolen someone else’s photo to catfish Julian, the look on her face tonight was bound to be priceless. I typed a short reply. ‘Then make sure you get a good look tonight.’ That afternoon, I went to the salon for my hair and makeup appointment. As the stylist curled my hair, she kept glancing at me in the mirror. “You’re naturally gorgeous. You don’t usually wear much makeup, do you?” I smiled. She chose a long black dress for me. The sleek cut hugged my waist perfectly. When I returned to the dorm, my roommate Nora Miller was eating an apple while reading a research paper. The moment she looked up, the apple slipped from her hand and hit the floor. She sucked in a sharp breath. “Hazel, who are you planning to kill dressed like that?” I fastened my necklace in front of the mirror. “I’m meeting my online boyfriend.” Nora stared at my face for two seconds. “No.” “You look like you’re about to walk into a room and ruin someone’s life.” I smiled without denying it. My phone buzzed. Maya had updated her post again. ‘She won’t dare show up. Julian’s definitely going to realize she’s a catfish.’ ‘But if she does come, the restaurant I booked is up three flights of stairs.’ ‘At her size, she’ll spend half an hour gasping for breath. Just imagine her red-faced and drenched in sweat. I have to get that on camera!’ The comments eagerly piled on. ‘You really know how to put on a show. I need to see the giant pig climb those stairs!’ ‘Three hundred pounds going up three flights? I’m already out of breath just imagining it.’ ‘Your cousin is doomed. She’s about to humiliate herself in front of everyone.’ Maya happily replied. ‘Of course I’ll share the fun. I’ll livestream the whole thing!’ I turned off my phone and smiled coldly. The bigger the spectacle, the better. Chapter 3 At six thirty that evening, everyone in the group chat began checking in. They had all arrived early. Everyone except me. When I entered Maya’s livestream, she was calling loudly for a server. “Could you bring us a few extra chairs?” The server looked confused. “Don’t you already have enough seats?” Maya sighed. “My cousin hasn’t arrived yet, and she’s on the heavier side. “I’m worried one chair might not be comfortable for her. I’d also hate for one of your chairs to break.” Someone in the private dining room snickered. Leah covered her mouth. “Maya, you’re so thoughtful.” Julian frowned. “My girlfriend is slim. “That won’t be a problem.” The smile on Maya’s face froze for a split second. Then she spoke as though she couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer. “Julian, I honestly didn’t want to tell you. “But you trust her so completely, and I’m afraid she’s going to make a fool out of you.” Julian looked up. “What do you mean?” Maya bit her lip, looking conflicted. “My cousin lied to you. She looks nothing like the girl in that photo. “She used to weigh over three hundred pounds. She was so heavy you could barely make out her features. “You’ve been taking this relationship seriously, but she used a fake photo to manipulate your feelings. It’s honestly disgusting.” Julian’s expression turned cold. “Do you have proof?” Leah immediately jumped in. “Of course we do!” She pulled up our high school graduation photo and circled me in red. I was standing in the back row, practically hiding in the corner. My school uniform was stretched tight across my body. “Look. That’s Hazel Lane. “The selfie she sent you is obviously a stolen photo that’s been edited beyond recognition. “Back in high school, the scale barely went high enough to weigh her. You seriously expect us to believe she magically turned into that?” Maya pursed her lips and pretended to scold her. “Leah, stop. If you embarrass Hazel so badly that she doesn’t come, I’ll never forgive you. “Lying is wrong, but someone finally showed an interest in her. I can understand why she couldn’t bring herself to show him what she really looked like.” Leah burst out laughing. “Maya, you’re way too kind. “She’s a classic catfish. The second anyone sees her in person, it’s over. I bet she won’t dare show up at all! “Have Julian text her and ask. Let’s see if she even dares respond!” As I listened to them mock me on the livestream, my hands curled into fists. My phone buzzed. Julian had sent me a message. ‘Hazel, do you want me to come pick you up?’ I typed a quick reply. ‘No.’ ‘Wait for me.’ Leah gave Julian a knowing look. “See? What did I tell you? She won’t let you pick her up because she’s scared you’ll see her! “I’m calling it right now. If she actually shows up, I’ll eat my words and grovel at her feet!” Maya lowered her head to sip her water, hiding the triumphant smile on her lips. Then she adjusted the camera until it pointed directly at the door. “Be patient, everyone,” she said sweetly. “Julian’s legendary goddess of a girlfriend will be here any minute.” Chapter 4 As I got out of the car, Nora frantically sent me several screenshots. ‘Hazel, check the campus gossip page! Are they talking about you?’ The screenshots were filled with anonymous posts. ‘Just here for the drama. Apparently, there’s a girl at this school named Hazel Lane who weighs over three hundred pounds. She steals photos online, catfishes men, and uses them for money!’ ‘Someone this disgusting actually qualified for the exchange program? Please don’t embarrass our school overseas!’ ‘Here’s the livestream link. Fair warning, don’t watch while you’re eating.’ I frowned. Someone watching Maya’s livestream had doxxed me and tracked down my school. A moment later, my academic advisor called. Her voice was stern. “Hazel, where are you right now?” “Someone sent a complaint to the university. Your department needs you to submit a written explanation immediately. “This has gotten serious. If the controversy keeps growing, your place in the exchange program may be suspended pending review.” I saved every screenshot, then checked the time. 7:55 p.m. Five minutes left. Maya didn’t just want to humiliate me. She wanted to destroy my future. Fine. I’d expose her in front of the entire internet. In my stiletto heels, I climbed the stairs one step at a time. Several customers waiting for tables stared the moment they saw me. The restaurant owner happened to step outside and froze as well. “Excuse me, are you an influencer here to review the restaurant? “We’re running a social media promotion tonight. If you’re willing to take a few pictures and post them, I can arrange for your meal to be on the house.” A cold smile touched my lips. “No. “I’m here to meet someone. “But please preserve tonight’s security footage from the third-floor hallway and outside the private dining room. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.” The owner nodded distractedly, still staring at me in awe. Meanwhile, Maya’s livestream had climbed to a hundred thousand viewers. The comments grew more vicious by the second. ‘Where’s the giant pig? Why isn’t she here yet?’ ‘Don’t let your hand shake, Maya. I’ve been waiting half an hour for this!’ ‘Has anyone considered that she physically can’t make it up there? It’s three flights of stairs. Someone might have to haul her up!’ Maya could barely contain her excitement. “It’s almost eight. Why isn’t Hazel here yet?” Leah giggled beside her. “Maybe the stairs are too narrow and she got stuck halfway up!” The private room erupted in laughter again. Julian’s expression turned icy. “That’s enough.” Maya’s eyes immediately filled with tears. “You’re defending her now, Julian, but you’ll be the one hurt when you see what she really looks like.” “If her photo is fake, how do you know she didn’t plagiarize everything she posted on that academic forum?” “And you might not be the only man she’s deceiving. As her cousin, I can’t stand by and let her keep hurting people!” Leah immediately applauded. “Maya, you’re too kind!” “If you don’t expose her today, someone else will become her victim tomorrow. A woman her size finally found a man willing to look at her. Of course she’s going to milk him for everything he has!” I stood outside the private room, listening to their shameless laughter. The livestream comments began counting down. ‘Ten!’ ‘Nine!’ ‘Eight!’ Maya’s excitement was written all over her face. “If Hazel still doesn’t show up, I’ll have no choice but to send her graduation photo, selfie, and chat history to the university’s group chats.” “Then everyone can help us figure out whether she’s been lying!” The countdown grew louder. ‘Three.’ ‘Two.’ ‘One.’ At the exact moment they were about to cheer, I pushed open the door.