Volume 1: Chapter 16- Powers of Persuasion
Polishing off the last of her first hot dog, Mia walked away from the stands and toward the fence blocking off the infield. Trent was on the other side of the stadium talking with some friends. He was probably bored to death without her company. So, Mia decided to head back to him. She didn’t know where her own friends were sitting, but she wasn’t planning on searching for them and saying hello like she was desperate for their companionship or something. Maybe she’d run into them before midterms next week, maybe she wouldn’t. They’d annoyed her recently, especially Kate and Jessica, so she wasn’t eager to reward them with her presence.
Even the passing thought of Kate sent a small wave of frustration reverberating across Mia’s body. What had she said again? Sorority bingo? What a dumb sounding game. Of course, Hannah had suggested that Trent was only dating her, so he’d be able to check off a box in that stupid game. What bullsh*t. Even if the game was exactly what Kate described. Trent would never date her for such a shallow reason. He was in love with her. She could feel it. She knew most of their time together recently had been spent enjoying each other’s company in more of a physical capacity than an emotional one, but that didn’t mean the emotion wasn’t there. They had a passion for each other Mia hadn’t felt since.. Well, since a long time ago.
Besides, it didn’t matter what Hannah thought. That girl was a no-class slut, who was just jealous of the considerable pull Mia commanded on campus. Trent was head over heels for her and that was all that mattered. Nothing anyone could say would make her think differently. Certainly not stupid, fat Kate.
Mia’s swollen rival had developed quite the little weight problem even if she didn’t fully realize it yet. Maybe that’s why Kate still had the nerve to try Mia’s patience. It seemed the busty blonde wasn’t just growing big thighs, a big butt, a big gut, and even bigger tits, she was getting a big head. For someone so pudgy, Kate certainly retained an overly high opinion of herself. Mia almost couldn’t wrap her head around it. However, she knew the reason for Kate’s defiance, and ignorance of her own sizable weight gain. It lay in Kate’s fixation on fattening Mia up. Mia was playing the part of the helpless, and ravenous damsel very well. She was wearing the fake belly every time Kate got a look at her and wearing tight clothes that gave off the impression that she was thickening up. Kate thought her plan was working, that’s why she was getting a little cocky.
Maybe it was overdue for Mia to burst Kate’s bubble? Besides, Mia was getting quite bored with having to wear the stupid fake belly everywhere. She’d ordered a more convincing one online, but it wouldn’t arrive for two weeks. Mia pondered if it wasn’t just better to give up the game now and rub Kate’s nose into the pile of her failure.
She had told Trent ‘project belly’ would be done by her sociology midterm. And again, if Jessica noticed Mia’s larger looking appearance, it was possible others could catch on soon. Mia certainly didn’t want word getting out she’d let herself go like a lazy porker. She was walking a fine line and she didn’t want to land flat on her face. If she wasn’t wearing such a big poncho today, she probably wouldn’t have worn the fake belly to the game. It was very hard to spot her fake little bump under the flowing garment, but she knew Kate would notice. It was the type of thing you wouldn’t notice unless you were specifically looking for it.
“Oof..” Mia muttered, as she nearly dropped one of her two remaining hot dogs while bumping into someone crossing her path. She was about to spit fire at whoever the fat sports fan was who had stupidly gotten in her way, until she recognized him. Wiping aside her patented ‘b*tch face,’ Mia sent the big guy a sweet smile and did her best to sound apologetic and ditzy, “Oh, Brian I’m so sorry! I’m such a klutz! I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“It’s all good. You okay?” Brian asked, as Mia could sense Brian’s concern, but not the usual excitement he displayed when seeing her.
“Better than okay, I was hoping I’d run into you.” Mia cheerfully hummed, as she tilted her head upward to look in Brian’s eyes.
“You were?” Brian responded sounding doubtful.
“Yeah! Want a hot dog? I bought an extra.” Mia offered, as she held out one of Kate’s hot dogs for the big guy to take.
“Sure, thanks.” Brian skeptically accepted, as Mia gave him the hot dog and he paused before asking, “You doing okay? I haven’t seen you in class..”
“I’m feeling okay I guess.. I was sick all last week. Speaking of which..” Mia slowed her speech to try and convey some sincerity, “I need to borrow your notes to study for midterms. Would that be too much trouble?”
“Umm, haha, well I kinda need them for studying too.” Brian managed to say much to Mia’s disappointment.
“You’re smart, I bet you could pass without studying.” Mia countered, as she did her best to maintain her levelheaded tone of voice. She was trying to be sweet, but Brian wasn’t responding how she’d imagined. What was his problem? Normally he’d jump to help her out in any way possible. Did she not look good in this poncho or something?
“Maybe, but I’d still prefer to study.” Brian reaffirmed, as he tried to offer Mia a middle ground, “I know, why don’t we study together? I could catch you up on everything you missed.”
“I don’t know, *cough* *cough* I think I’m still a little sick, I’d feel bad if I infected you.” Mia acted superbly, continuing, “What if you dropped off your notes at my place whenever you finish studying?”
“Umm, sure I could do that.” Brian relented sounding as disappointed as he looked.
“Thanks a million.” Mia chirped, as she took a step toward Brian with her arms extended only to quickly stop herself, resume her previous posture and explain, “I’d give you a hug, but I don’t wanna..”
“Get me sick. Yeah, I got it.” Brian nodded, as he started walking past her.
“If you want some money I could pay you for..” Mia tried to add, as Brian shook his head.
“I don’t want your money. It’s really no problem.” Brian sighed, as Mia felt a little guilt building up in the depts of her stomach.
“Awe, you’re a life saver. Thank you so much!” Mia enthused, while she was briefly unable to censor herself because of Brian’s kindness, “Next time we run into each other at a party. We should dance.”
“Would your boyfriend be okay with that?” Brian quickly responded in a way that stopped Mia in her tracks for a moment.
“Ha.. Oh, Trent?” Mia regrouped, “Yeah he lets me do whatever I want. Don’t worry about it.”
“Cool. Next time then.” Brian waved goodbye, as he resumed his trek away from Mia.
“Are you.. doing okay Brian?” Mia asked with a true sincerity that Brian hadn’t heard in her voice since she started talking to him, “You don’t seem like yourself.”
“I’m fine. Thanks for asking.” Brian graciously nodded, as he looked at the hot dog he was holding in his hand and appeared conflicted, “I’m actually not that hungry, you can have your hot dog back.”
“Okay.” Mia responded, as she accepted Kate’s hot dog back from Brian and watched him lumber away.
How strange? Brian almost seemed like a different person today, not the happy-go-lucky fellow she’d become familiar with. She hoped everything was alright with him and his family, but she knew it wasn’t really her place to pry. Instead, she tried not to dwell on whatever was going on with him for too long. Brian was a reliable dude. He’d come through on those notes and that was all Mia needed to pass her midterm next week.