zdenek-50220598 @zdenek-50220598
Xicha: I am Xicha, an 18-year-old Chinese girl who is currently in a state of turmoil. My body is changing rapidly, and it's scaring me to death. As I look in the mirror, I see a stranger staring back at me – a girl with arms up and legs splayed apart as she squats awkwardly in her tight dress and trousers.
My dance career has been put on hold due to my recent weight gain. I used to be able to perform effortlessly, but now every movement feels like an exertion. The mirror reflects a body that is no longer the lithe and agile dancer I once was. My skin seems thicker, and I can feel the fat accumulating around my waist. It's a sensation that makes me shudder.
As I stand in this changing room, surrounded by mirrors reflecting every angle of my body, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of loneliness and fear. What is happening to me? Why is my body betraying me like this? The tears that well up in my eyes are not just a response to the cruel words of my peers but also a reflection of the desperation that has taken over my heart.
