Fat

“Why won’t she help me with Kim?”

“Because Kim’s her friend, and you were a real bastard to her. Why should she help you?”

“I’m not a bad guy.”

“I know you’re not a bad guy. You’ve got to prove it to Kim. It’s going to take a little time.” Noah did his best to offer his friend some advice. It was hard to do considering Kim was his girlfriend’s best friend.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Don’t pressure her, and you know what, I’m going to be around Elsa a lot more. You’re my friend. Promise me you won’t be a dick, and you can join us.”

“I won’t be a dick. I promise. Thanks, man, you’re the best.”

Chapter Ten

“What the hell, Elsa?” Kim asked.

“What?” Elsa smiled. “Surprise.”

“Something has been going on, and you’re going to tell me.” They sat down, and with it being early, Elsa decided to tell her.

“I made a decision to lose weight to please my mom. I wanted a fresh start, so I joined this gym. I was there one Saturday, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. All of a sudden, Noah was there, and before I even knew what was happening, he was offering to help me.”

“To train you?”

“Yes, to help me lose weight, and to satisfy my mom. I want to point out, though, that Noah told me I shouldn’t be losing weight for my mom. He kept trying to stop me, and for me to do what I wanted to do, not what someone else wanted.” Elsa smiled. “He’s met my mom.”

“He has?”

“Yeah, he came to meet my parents yesterday. It was kind of cool to see her shocked. Yeah, her fat daughter can get a man.”

“Don’t say stuff like that.”

“It’s what she is thinking. We both know it. Even she knows it, which is why she gets embarrassed about it.” Elsa shrugged. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“You like him?”

“Yeah. He, erm, he told me he was falling for me.”

“Have you had, you know?”

She couldn’t stop smiling as she nodded. “Yes.”

“Oh, wow, no wonder you’ve been acting strange. Did you want to tell me?”

“Yes, I wanted to tell you all the time.”

“We’re both a little crazy right now.”

“Do you forgive me?” Elsa asked.

“Of course. I can see how happy you are. What are you going to do though? Are you going to the same college?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ve not really thought that far ahead.”

“You’re not going to get pregnant, are you?”

“No. We made sure we were okay.” Tucking some hair behind her ear, Elsa smiled at her friend. “I’m kind of scared.”

“What about?”

“His ex, Jessica. She’s not exactly known for being nice, is she?” In the past both of them had been bullied by Jessica.

“No. We’ll deal with that together. I’m sure Noah won’t let anything happen to you.”

“He won’t.” He had asked her to trust him, so that was exactly what she was going to do.

For the rest of the morning, she was aware of the stares and the pointing from fellow pupils. She did her best to ignore it, but it was hard. There were no classes with Noah, and she didn’t see him lingering in the halls. Her morning was spent with Kim, going from one class to another. Elsa was happy that her friend didn’t hold it against her.

On the way into the dinner hall, Elsa looked around for Noah but didn’t see him. Grabbing her tray, she made her way toward the back of the queue. “Will Noah be taking you to the prom?”

“Probably. I’m not going to be dancing with anyone else. Do you still have my dress?”

“Yes, it’s a Christmas prom.”

She remembered. Her mother did nothing but talk about it, boring her half to death with all the details.

Elsa picked a chicken salad, followed by a slice of cheesecake for her dessert, and had just paid when Jessica and her three friends came walking over to them.

“Well, well, well, isn’t it lard and butter, feeding their fat faces again.”

Elsa’s cheeks heated, and she hated how those words could upset her. Just once, she’d love to not have her weight bullied about. “Hey, Jessica,” she said.

Don’t take this crap.

You don’t have to take it anymore.

Fight back.

“So, I heard a nasty little rumor that you think you can take my boyfriend.”

The whole of the lunch hall had gone quiet.

Elsa stared down at her food.

“Don’t think you’re out of the firing line,” Britney said. “Do you really think Kurt wants you over this?” She pointed at her own tight body. “No guy wants something that jiggles, over this.”

Jessica stepped forward and started walking around her. Elsa tried not to tense up, but it was hard. It had been a long time since something like this had happened, and she hated how sad she was.

“You’re fat, you’re ugly, and Noah is only going to use you before he comes crawling back to me.” Jessica tugged on her hair, and she jerked away, spilling her drink. “You disgust me.” She had picked up a drink, and she poured it over Elsa’s head. At the same time, Britney attacked Kim, throwing the cheesecake into her face. Kim cried out, and Elsa gasped as Jessica punched her in the gut.