chapter 1

Chapter 1 is story stuff, chapter 2 is sexy stuff. Skip ahead if you're "busy."

Ever since freshman year, I've had a crush on Rachael. She was the most stunning girl I'd ever seen, and most people seemed to agree. Even in my prime, I never thought I had a shot with her. Of course, I never had the courage to find out.

That was 10 years ago, and let's just say I do not look the same as I did back then. In high school I was a runner; I exercised a lot and tried to keep a balanced diet. I was fit, toned, and even had a bit of muscle on me. That was 10 years ago.

It wasn't my fault! You have no idea what a sedentary office job, complimentary donuts, and fast food coupons do to a guy. To make a long story short, I went from 180 pounds of lean muscle to 230 pounds of not-so-lean blubber.

For the past 10 years, my new weight had never really been a problem. It was only the few embarrassing moments where I ran into someone from high school that it affected me. Aside from that, I hadn't had many problems. That is, until my worst nightmare appeared in the mail.

"The Farefield High Class of 2005 Tenth Anniversary Reunion!!!" God, it's been 10 years already? What'll people say when they see me with my new "developments?" What if Rachael sees me?

For a long time, I considered just not going. Of course, it was hard to resist with the phrase "Free Pizza!" emblazoned on the flyer. But I was just so scared about what people might think, and, above all else, what Rachael might think. The first time she's thought of me in 10 years, and it was so she could laugh at me.

I tried to be rational. We weren't in high school anymore, nobody would be talking behind our backs like they used to. I mean, there had to be other people who'd gone out of shape, right? Heck, I bet even Rachael isn't what she used to be. I bet.

Eventually, I convinced myself to go. At the very least, I would get in, grab some pizza, and get out. I bet no one would even notice me. I bet.

From the moment I got into my car, to the moment I parked at the auditorium, I wanted to turn back around. I kept thinking, I can't let Rachael see me like this! I'm not even sure what it was exactly that made me keep going.

Even as I walked under the "Welcome class of 2005!" banner, I had regrets about going. Whatever, there was no turning back at that point. All I had to do was grab the pizza and get out. I took a deep breath, opened the door, then saw her.

I don't know how, but she looked even better than she did in high school. She still had the same amazing features, but they had a more mature look about them. She'd really "filled out" everything that mattered, if that makes sense.

To make things worse, she had no wedding ring on, and plenty of people took notice. She was surrounded by a posse of all the people who'd "made it" since high school. The managers, the CEO's, the millionaires, oh God! I must've looked like a complete joke. I just needed to get the pizza and get out.

As I put the slices on my plate, it felt like there was a huge spotlight on me, the one guy who'd gone way downhill since high school. I swore every glance was at how big I'd gotten. I swore every laugh I heard was at my expense.

And then, just as I was about to leave, I heard her voice, right behind me. "Mike, is that really you?" she asked in disbelief.

"Y-yep!" I said, probably sweating buckets, "It's me!"

"Wow," she said, indicating towards my belly, "you've certainly changed."

I chuckled nerviously "W-well, you know how it is..."

I was cut off as she pinched a bit of flab on my torso. "Do you really think you should be eating more pizza?"

I stammered, and she leaned in. "Come on, big boy," she said, "There's a lot more where that came from."

She grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me out, as people watched in awe. I didn't blame them.