Chew ✔

•8•

"Oh- hey." I breathe. 

"We're meeting after school again right?" Will asks. My focus drifts off, and lands behind him, where his friends are all staring at him curiously- everyone's staring actually.

"Oh- mhmm," I whisper. "Last practice before Chew starts- wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Thank god- I'm kinda a mess in the kitchen without you." He laughs. His brown hair flutters over his eyes, and without thinking, I quickly move it back in place- my fingers lingering against his face a moment apparently too long. 

I can see Amanda seethe behind him, and turn to whisper to her friend.

I quickly snap my hand away, my face burning. What was I thinking? I can't just strut around being affectionate to guys like him, but there's also another thing I couldn't help but notice how cold his skin was. Poor circulation maybe?

"Anyway- we're meeting at my house this time."

"Oh," I say surprised, the past two times it's been my house- considering we have a state of the art kitchen and such.

"I know, I know. But my mom's dying to meet you." He whispers, "She wants to learn some tips from a professional- can't let her down you know."

"Naturally." I agree, blushing. "Just text me the details?"

"Will do.'

He goes to sit back down with his friends, then turns to give me a small smile.

I swear my heart practically jumps out of my chest.

...

"What are you gonna wear for the winter formal?" Anna asks as she leans into the bathroom mirror to apply another layer of lipgloss.

"Little to early to think about that," I say leaning against the tile walls. Theres like ten more minutes before lunch ends- so we're just chilling in the bathroom like always.

 "Cira- time will catch up on us."

"Isn't that so weird. It was like Halloween just a week ago" I say- shaking my head. I know my mama said junior year would go by quickly- but this it's flying at another speed. "Football season hasn't ended yet though."

"But it will soon- I cannot believe we made champions." Lyla gushes fixing up her thick black hair, and fixing her meticulous cat eyes. I was never as good at makeup as she was.

"I know- I'm so proud- talk about school pride."

"Ohhh yes- for the game we should dye are tips gold and red." Anna butts in. "Ohh, I'll supply the paint."

The door suddenly opens, and Amanda walks in, her friends Sabrina and Lara right behind her. It's kinda pathetic how they follow her every move- but hey that's the life they chose. 

Amanda walks towards me, as if she doesn't see me, when suddenly she slams against me- her iced coffee dripping it's way down my white shirt. 

"Hey- what the fuck!" Anna says practically launching herself at Amanda. Lyla hurries over, clutching paper towels so tightly her hands are turning white. Theres no dabbing the stain away now though. My shirts brown.

"Sorry." Amanda says in mock seriousness. "It's just with you in here- it get's kinda cramped- don't you think?" Lara and Sabrina laugh obnoxiously behind her.

My cheeks burn a deep crimson. 

"How funny, of all the possible ways you could have insulted me- you choose to attack my body." I roll my eyes, breathing in deeply. Things like this used to affect me- but I know better now. I'm not ashamed of my body-  and nothing anyone says will make me change my mind. "Classic, Dia- but I've heard it all."

Amanda purses her lips as I use her old nickname. "You've obviously not heard it enough." She says staring me up and down in a way that makes my skin crawl.

"Don't listen to Amanda- She's just jealous that she's got the body of a twelve year old boy." Anna sneers, than turns towards me reassuringly. 

Amanda fidgets uncomfortably, and I can tell Anna's struck a nerve.

"Don't swoop as low as her." I tell Anna, than I turn to glare at Amanda- hoping my next few words really sink in. "Us girls gotta stick together right? Sorry you're so insecure about your body Dia- that you have to knock mine down. But I love my body unlike you, and at the end of the no matter how many remarks you throw my way- my doubles Ds will stay double Ds, and your double A's will stay as such."

With that Lyla, Anna and I make our way out of the bathroom, my face flushed in triumph. Only some will understand the years of hatred towards my body that I faced. Years ago I would have agreed with those remarks- so Yeah it took me a while- but here I am, loud and proud- the extra layer of skin around me one made of love. (Not to mention though by the time I reached puberty all my extra skin was in the right places.) 

This is my skin, my stretch marks, my curves. 

And the only person who needs to love them. 

Is me.