"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."

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Stress.

A sensation of strain, either bodily or emotional. Any circumstance or idea that gives you cause for annoyance, rage, or anxiety might trigger it. a sensation that you are all too acquainted with.

No matter how hard you tried or prayed for this feeling to evaporate from your very being, it never withered away. No matter how much you wished or begged for this emotion to vanish, it remained a part of you forever. You were already accustomed to it by now though. In your mind, it was simple.

It is what it is.

Whatever life threw at you, you would tackle it right back. Momma didn't raise no quitter, and you sure as hell weren't going to stop now.

Even though she's part of the reason why you've been stressed for a while.. but we'll skip past that.

The cause of this putrid stress? well, there's many reasons to name.

Social Life.

Family.

School.

Appearance.

Weight.

Skin Color.

LOVE LIFE.

It was quite sad how many diverse aspects were currently stressing you out, since most of them were connected in the same branch. Plus, you were a nineteen year old sophomore in College. You shouldn't have so much to stress about, right? That's what they all say. None of them truly actually understand the stress of transitioning from a child to an adult in a matter of seconds. It was dumped on you all at once. But like you said before, you aren't a quitter.

You don't take Ls,  you only learn Lessons.

So there you are, gazing into the mirror at yourself. The road to acceptance for your appearance is hard. The moment you bring out your weaknesses, your initial conviction that you are the baddest bitch in the world may disintegrate.

However, you were aware of your worth. You ARE fine as fuck. Despite what you or others may believe, you ARE gorgeous.

"Girl, what the hell are you doin'?"

The loud voice startled you out of your trance. Instead of turning around to fully face them, you looked into the mirror to find the cause.

"The fuck it look like? I'm lookin' at what to wear today."

The person sighed, leaning against the door begrudgingly.

"I don't have time to be waiting on you to spend hours getting ready. We only have less than an hour to get there."

"You driving?"

"No-"

"Then shut up."

You waved them off, dismissed them so they can leave your room. That was your roommate, Miya. She's considered to be one of your best friends, your ride or die. That girl has been with you since middle school and had seen it all. One time, you were getting bullied for your skin color being "dirty" in the classroom, having all of the students in that pathetic classroom laugh at you. Not only did Miya smash that person's head into the desk and breaking their nose, she put a fair amount of hot sauce up their nostrils.

Unfortunately, this happened during your 8th grade year of middle school and she did get in trouble by the school faculty, which resulted in her having a 10-day out of school suspension. However, the person who made the joke had gotten a 5 day suspension, as well as having "bullying" put onto their discipline record.

Did it satisfy you? Hell no. You wish more damage could've been done to that asshole, but it couldn't be helped. That's just how this world works nowadays.

People getting away with racism, and privilege.

You were a pussy back then, a frightened little lamb, not having the courage to stand up for yourself during those times in elementary to high-school. Now though? You didn't give a fuck. You spoke your mind, said your piece and moved on. Whoever had a problem with it, can deal with it themselves. Many people said you had a "smart mouth" when in general, it was the opposite. The world has fundamentally altered. Regardless of how true the statements are, people dislike hearing the truth.

Cause bitch who gon' stop me? Not a damn soul.

Your family on the other hand, was a different story. Majority of your life you were raised by both your parents, until they got divorced when you were 12. You were the middle child, having two brothers. Since you were the only daughter, you were sheltered growing up. In contrast to your brothers, who were free to do as they pleased, you truly couldn't go anyplace without permission. It was unfair, and a shame. It was as though being a girl, meant you needed to be treasured like an object. Not only that, you were considered the rebel of the family. Anything you did, you got in trouble for, while your brothers barely had a scratch.

Especially the youngest child, he was always spoiled. Other than that, you did love them and cherished them. They did treat you with respect, and that's something you were grateful for, despite the unfair praise between you and your brothers. Their excuse was always the same,

"You're our baby girl, we don't want you to get hurt. We want you to be safe, and we're only doing this to protect you."

You did understand their intentions, it was pure and reasonable, but you wished they would've let have you have more freedom and independency while growing up. Fortunately, all that did pay off. You're very mature and knowledgeable.

You just wished you had listened to them much earlier.

There was a time, where your very first boyfriend, had sexually assaulted you. That disgusting encounter had traumatized you for a while, refraining you from entering another relationship. However, That's a story for another time.

___________

As you finished getting yourself situated, you look down to admire your outfit.

It was a simple, yet cute look for today since you were just going to the gym. But you know what they say, you always have to be ready because you never know when someone will catch you lacking in public.

Grabbing your purse and some water, you spot your roommate on the couch, eating some Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.

"Hurry up Miya, or I'ma leave yo ass behind."

Miya looked towards you, gobbling up the remnants of her cereal in one huge gulp.

"Damn, bitch. You actually finished quickly for once."

You laughed, opening up your phone to check the current time.

February 5th, 2:15pm.

"Yea, now come on before we're late. I'm not tryna' miss out on some action at the gym."

She hopped onto her feet, grabbing her shoes as you unlocked the door to head towards your car.

"Some action? Stop lyin'. You know you only going to see them niggas."

She smirked at you, reaching the door to the passenger seat. You sighed, opening the door to put your stuff inside the car.

"I'm going to get my stomach toned up. I'm tired of having a chubby tummy. It's annoying having to look at my lil rolls whenever I sit down."

"You look fine, boo. I been tryin' to tell you that. Niggas love girls with a lil fat on their tummy's. Embrace it."

You sat down, putting on your seat belt and starting up the car to begin your destination towards the gym.

"I hear you.. but still. I feel fat whenever I look at myself in the mirror."

"Honey, you're thick, not fat. You're literally voluptuous in all the right parts. I wish I had a fat ass like you do."

You side eyed her for a second, before reverting your eyes back onto the road. Miya had a physique fit for a model. A flat stomach and a slim waist are pretty much what society considers "ideal." The appropriate bodily proportions. You wanted to believe her words, but you couldn't bring yourself to do that since she doesn't go through the same struggles that you do.

Everyone has an insecurity; yours simply happens to be your physical appearance, and it won't go away so quickly.

"Anyways, you know about that famous Straw-Hat crew? One of the members opened up a Straw Hat Gym here in the city, and girl when I tell you, he is fine as hell! I'm talkin' bout big muscle, tall, with a sexy scar on his eye..."

You drowned out her words, lost in your thoughts as she babbled on about something you weren't listening to at the moment. You were mostly focused on what was ahead of you. The red light at the stoplight stopped all the cars in front of you. There was a young girl in the street, and what seemed to be a pot held in her hand as she asked people for something while they avoided her. She was going around from car to car, with a sad expression plastered onto her face.

"Poor kid, all those folks rejecting her left and right.. I feel bad." Miya also stared ahead, seeing the child's dejected expression after yet another car rolled up their window.

She eventually reached your car, dried up tears in her eyes as she stared at you for a moment before reverting her eyes back onto her pot.

"I'm very sorry to bother you miss, but do you have 5$ to spare? My mom is really sick and we don't have much money to eat.."

You just looked at her for a moment in thought, while she was pleading at you with her young sad eyes. You were trying to decipher if she was being genuine or if someone was forcing her to do these things because, you never know.

"I-I promise to pay you back miss! I swear I will!"

Your instincts were telling you that she was being honest, so you simply smiled at her.

"Sure, I'll give you money."

Her eyes brightened immediately, not expecting someone to agree on giving her any money, since all she faced today was rejection.

"R-really? thank you so much ma'am!"

"Of course, just give me a second."

You turned around, reaching for your wallet to take out a 20$ bill. Just as you turned around to give the kid the cash, Miyah intervened.

"Hold on a second, you really about to give her that much?"

You scoffed at her, puzzled that she stopped you in the first place.

"Of course I am. You heard her, they don't have money to eat. I'll always help a person in need, regardless."

She shook her head in disbelief, narrowing her eyes before grinning at you.

"Without me?"

You were confused on what she meant for a second, opening your mouth to retort at her until she also pulled out her wallet, handing you a 20$ bill as well.

You stared at the 20$ bill she gave you for a second, before smiling as well, and turned towards the kid. You folded both the 20$ bills, handing it to the child.

"Here you go, sweetheart. Now promise me that you won't look at the amount until you get home to your mom, okay? Also, put it in your pocket so that you don't lose it."

She gave you the sweetest smile, closing her eyes as well to thank you.

"Okay! I promise! Thank you so much!"

"Your welcome sweetie, do you want me to drive you home?"

She shook her head at home, turning around to face another direction while pointing at it.

"That's okay! My house is very close to the Straw Hats Gym. Over there!"

You arched an eyebrow, turning towards the direction of where she pointed. There, was an unnecessarily large gymnasium named the "Straw Hats Gym". It had to be the best decorated gym you'd ever seen, and you had to agree; it was stunning and expertly put together. They put effort into that shit. It also had a huge flower-lion looking thing under the name.

"Oh hell yes, that's where we were headed anyways."

Your head snapped to Miya in disbelief, giving her a stank face.

"Girl be for real. no the fuck we weren't."

"We are now boo, now change course."

"Bitch, we don't even have a membership to get in."

The little girl watched the interaction between the two of you in awe, giggling to herself.

"Don't worry miss, the gym has free entry access which was allowed by the owner. He's my friend!"

"Oh, Your friend?"

Miya smirks, nudging your side as she laughed evilly. You glared at her, rolling your eyes as you sighed to yourself. You knew you didn't have much a choice now once she sets her mind on something.

"Yeah, it settled then. We going to that gym instead. Who the fuck about to continue paying for a monthly membership when we can get in for free?"

You shook your head, sighing once again but agreed. She has a point, no way would you pass up on a free accessed gym.

"So then, you gonna cancel your membership?"

"Yes ma'am. Both of ours boo."

"Alright, I guess we can go there. But if a nigga try to flirt with me, I'm outta there."

"Girl, you will be alright. You and your fear of men." She chuckled to herself, turning to the kid once more.

"Hey, sweetie. Are you sure you don't want us to drop you off? We're heading towards the gym and I'd feel much more relaxed knowing you got home safe."

She shook her head once more, determined on her answer.

"It's okay miss! I'm fine walking home on my own, I'm a big girl. Plus my parents told me to never get into a car with strangers!"

You smiled at that, as a sense of relief washed over you.

'Good thing they taught her that cause' streets can be dangerous. Kids have been getting kidnapped nowadays, and their last sightings have been getting into cars.'

"That's right. Get home safely okay? Just go straight home to your house."

"Bye sweetheart! Get home safely!"

"Thank you so much, ma'am! Bye!"

You watched her leave, just to make sure that she was going home and not stopping by to any other cars. This city can get dangerous at times, given the high crime rates. You had parked your car next to the sidewalk the entire time you were speaking to the little girl in order to avoid obstructing traffic.

Miyah twisted the cap of her water bottle, opening it and takes a small sip. "You ain't got a choice now. Free membership over paying for that $30.99 overpriced ass membership."

You can't deny, she was right. The only reason you both went to that other gym was because Your father suggested it, and it was regarded as the "safest" gym at the time, so you both attended there. Additionally, they offered you both a 70% discount for two months. That resulted from Miya's deft persuading abilities.

"Shaking my head.."

"Girl why are you saying that shit out loud and not actually doing it."

You turned to her, chuckling to yourself. "Because i'm weird like that."

"Whatever bruh.. now drive. I'm trynna get turnt."

"At a gym?"

"Yessir."

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Hey y'all! i'm aware that intro needs a bit of work 😭 i'm trying to gain some inspiration and plot ideas on how i want this story to turn out, i will probably go back and proofread the story but thank you everyone for taking the time to read this story! 🫶🏿 There will be more to come. Im planning on making this book a long fic.