Enjoy this completely unedited, first-draft chapter while I go hide away in a hole for another eternity < 3

I'd like to just add again that there is a huge trigger warning for this book. It mentions many unhealthy behaviors and covers topics that can be triggering to people, especially those with eating issues. Please do not mistake this book as an instruction manual or inspiration. I've tried my best to censor numbers and specific methods, but please know that the content in this book can be rather upsetting and harmful to you if you have past experiences with related topics.

"Let me weigh you," Harmony's father said to her one night. She'd gotten much skinnier in the last week, living off barely any food under the excuse of a stomach ache.

"Ok...." Harmony hesitated for a second, then followed her father into the bathroom, where the scale sat on the ground.

Unlike most people she'd read about on the internet, Harmony almost never weighed herself. She had some weird idea that she could always remain the same weight she was years ago, so even when she looked fine, she'd go crazy if her weight wasn't the weight of a younger child.

Harmony paused for a moment, then stepped onto the scale. She was scared to see her weight, even if she was finally happy with the way she looked.

The few seconds it took for the numbers to appear on the scale felt like forever to Harmony. Finally, they appeared beneath her feet.

"Xx.xx pounds," Harmony's father read out loud.

What?! Harmony's heart skipped a beat. No way. No. Freaking. Way. Yes!!! Harmony cheered silently. All her hard work--all of it--it'd finally paid off. Never again would Harmony have to be nervous about her weight. Never again would Harmony be scared to step onto the scale. She had finally reached her goal!

But at what cost?

X X X

Ten-year-old Harmony grunted as she did sit-up after sit-up in front of the TV, following a workout video for a flat stomach. She'd wanted a flat stomach since 3rd grade, but so far, she hadn't gotten it yet. Luckily, she knew, with time and patience, she would. At least, that's what all the articles she'd read online said.

"How much have you done?" Harmony's father asked as he passed by the living room.

"Twenty minutes," Harmony replied proudly. Only ten more minutes to go to fulfill her daily exercise. This time was not set by Harmony, but rather by her father, who Harmony learned about weight loss from in the first place.

Harmony wasn't sure how her father's health came into the question, but she did know that it was important to avoid rice, exercise every day, and weigh yourself constantly. From years of watching him, Harmony had learned that weight was an important part of who you were, and gaining even just a few pounds was a bad, bad thing. From him, Harmony had picked up keywords to search up online, diets and intermittent fasting that would become complete fasting years later, and a full list of "good" and "bad" foods.

With this information, Harmony was proud to say that she'd been secretly working out at night, counting calories, and weighing herself daily since third grade. But was that really a good thing?