"Our case today involves the prosecutor, Nikki Brown, and the defendant, bulimia. This trial pertains to robbery," Judge Society introduced the case. I took a deep breath and turned to my lawyer, my therapist since 2020, and began pleading my case. "The defendant and I met when I was twelve years old, and she persuaded me to suffer silently for five years. Bulimia took advantage of me; I have been insecure about my body starting at six years old. I was vulnerable and she knew it." "We understand that this is traumatic for you, Ms. Brown, but could you please elaborate? What exactly was stolen from you?" The judge prompted. I dryly laughed, "what all was stolen? Everything I suppose. I can no longer eat at certain restaurants because of the unspeakable purging that I have experienced in their bathrooms. If I am ever constipated, I no longer trust myself to take a laxative due to years of abuse. I have lost countless amounts of money that I wasted on diuretics, waist trainers, and diet coke as if it could ever supplement real food. I have lost relationships because I felt too ugly to go out with my loved ones. And the most valuable thing bulimia stole from me: myself." "The court is terribly sorry to hear this, Ms. Brown. We understand that you mentor children and that you are involved in small groups at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa. How has bulimia impacted you in these areas of your life?" "The group of girls that I've been mentoring for the past three years will be twelve this year," I shot a mean glare at the defendant from across the room, "and I'll be darned if I allow bulimia to corrupt them the way she has corrupted me." "In regard to my middle school girls and my peers in college, I look forward to using my testimony to liberate them. I have walked these lonely roads, and it is not worth it. It is not worth it to be cold in every room or to react in anger to those trying to help you because you are agitated by a lack of food. If being skinny, praiseworthy, or finally having control is the goal, I will force them to ask themselves if their mind and body are worth the price? My tale is a cautionary one, and I pray that the court takes me seriously today so bulimia may never hurt anyone again." Dr. Amy, my therapist and lawyer, encouraged me as the jury took their recess and attempted to reach a verdict. "I'm unsure, Dr. Amy, Judge Society is known to not side with the prosecutor in this type of case. The court will disregard my suffering and count me as an insecure teenage girl." My palms were sweaty as I awaited a verdict. "The court of Society and Beauty Standards finds the defendant..." The world stood still for a moment as I clung onto the Judge's every word, "...not guilty on all charges of robbery!" I expected the outcome, but I was discouraged nonetheless. For how long will we be forced to suffer in this way? Bulimia was smug as she left, but I made a vow. I vow to use my voice to educate everyone around me; young, old, male, and female. We are all victims of this prejudice and vain court. Bulimia may have beat me in court, but she will never again reign over my life. She will never again reign over the lives of those I care about as long as I am around.