Chapter 3 - first taste (pt.1)

A lengthy bell chime announces the end of a average school day at Beverly Hills high. As students flood the exit doors and parking lot, three athletic, fashionable girls descend the main staircase. Sam, the redhead of the group, clad in a cool green tank top, white shorts and sandals, moves ahead and stops aside a fountain. “Well, that was interesting…” she announced to the others.

“A surprise pop quiz in the last ten minutes of class!?” Alex comments in disgust. The dark-haired, tan friend joined her. “It didn’t help that the room was absolutely freezing…” she hugged herself, “...next time I’m wearing something more than a blouse and shorts.”

A giggle came from the blonde of the party, “Y’know what, I think I did pretty well! Easy peasy,” Clover announced, adjusting her attire. “I was smart, Alex, Jeans, and a jacket all the way! You should learn a thing or two from the best,” showboating in front of the two.

“Glad you see you’re back to your old self…” the cold girl sarcastically responded.

The three rest upon the knee-high fountain walls, bathing in the afternoon sunny sky. Feet away, a very overweight girl cautiously cradling a stack of textbooks down the stairs. Sam and Alex paid no attention, continuing the conversation while Clover curiously watched. Upon planting the final surface, the fat girl’s heel bent sideways, causing her to fall on the ground. The school texts flew and scattered across the pavement.

The ruckus gathered the attention of onlookers - Sam and Alex included. The blonde sprang into action, “Are you alright?” rushing to her aid.

“Um… yeah…” the portly girl shyly voiced, avoiding eye contact. “No-no-no… you don’t have to help me,” desperately grabbing and stacking the fallen books.

“Is your foot okay?” Clover questioned, assisting with the cleanup.

“Yeah…"

Upon the answer, the older teen got a clear look at her face and appearance. She sported thick-rimmed glasses, brown wavy bob hair, ill-fitting v-neck shirt, uncomfortably tight jeans, and tennis shoes. Clover identified the fashion disaster from a mile away. Harsh words would typically fly out of her mouth, but watching the heavy-set girl struggle struck a chord of sympathy. She looked around, recognizing the circle of spectators. “Never seen you before, what’s your name?”

The large girl raised her books, attempting to conceal her portly, double chinned face. “I’m new, okay?”

“So, everyone’s new at some point? My name is Clover.”

“Um… I-I my name is Lydia… I-I’m a freshman. Y-you’re one of those seniors?”

A laugh was heard in the background, Clover narrowed her blue eyes in disgust, “Ignore these people, I know how you feel, okay? Let’s get you to the bus, here…” she grabbed three of the five school books.

“Y-you don’t… have to…” Lydia said, watching the yellow-haired girl strain herself.

“How in the world is she able to carry all this!?” Clover thought, slowly stepping towards the bus corral. Claps came from behind as students recognized the good deed.

“Wait!” the younger schoolgirl huffed and hobbled to catch up. “My bus is 56.”

“Just a bit ahead…” Clover grunted, her thin arms regretting the decision.

Stopping at the yellow vehicle's door, “Okay, we’re here… I’ll take my books back.” Lydia ordered.

“Y-yeah…” she lowered, the fat girl cautiously balanced the combined pile. “Thanks…” a slight grin appeared on her face.

“No problem…” Clover wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead. She watched Lydia ascend the bus’ steps, hips brushing against the narrow entry. “Wait…”

The brunette stopped, “Hm?” awkwardly tilting her head.

“You’re pretty strong…”

“Yeah, uh, okay.” Lydia rounded around the seats and disappeared on the bus.

“There’s something up with her…” Clover thought, “Could she still be affected by Passion Patties? The antidote went public almost two days ago. It would explain her strength.” Her forearms mildly ached, she gently massaged one after the other to alleviate the discomfort. Suddenly, her mind pictured the limbs soft and swollen with fat. With that came a phantom sensation of having the excess flesh. Clover gulped, attempting to divert the troublesome thought, quickly returned to her friends. “I-I’m past that...right? I'm back to normal...” As she walked out of the bus corral, a unique black SUV rolled around the parking lot. “No, it can’t be… Don’t tell me we’re getting summoned for a mission already!?” quickening her pace.

“Clover… I’m surprised-no-shocked!” Alex muttered as she arrived.

Sam rose from the fountain’s edge. “What’s going on? Being a good Samaritan outside of WHOOP? I can certainly tell you’re worried about the social hit you’re gonna take.”

“No-no-no!” the blonde yelped, then pointing to the mysterious vehicle in the distance. “I think WHOOP is out to get us again!”

“Relax, gee.” the ginger calmly said, “If Jerry really needs us, then I’m sure we would be whisked away by some locker, or like last time - a photo booth!”

“We never got those photos!” Alex inserted. "I bet they look dumb and silly."

Sam continued, “If it really bothers you, then let’s go around the corner to the benches. It’s not like you’ve already gained a lot of attention after what you just did.”

“Yeah…let's do that.” Clover agreed, and the trio relocated around the building to a set of picnic benches.

After the three seated, Sam pulled out a newspaper pamphlet from her bag. “You’ve seen this?” she slid it across to show to others. The front cover depicted the grandmotherly woman in an orange jumpsuit, escorted to the courthouse with a security escort.

“Bittersweet end to Bittersweet!” Alex read the caption aloud, “Charged for multiple crimes worldwide, in US custody,” she noticed a particular detail, “Wait a minute, she’s skinny again!”

Clover pulled the paper to inspect, “Yeah, pretty sure we gave her a taste of her own medicine! What gives?”

“I dunno, when I saw this, I was just as shocked.” Sam slid the paperback in her bag, “I’m gonna ask Jerry about it, maybe there was a reason.”

The tan teen addressed, “Oh! Speaking of that, you know a thing or two about the antidote, Clover. Any guesses?”

“Well, Hm…” she pondered, “I can assume that it would be easier to lock her up if she was smaller.”

“Makes sense… nobody wants to wrestle with all that.” Sam comments. “You doing well after the antidote? When you told me how easy it was, it's unbelievable all that weight just disappeared in minutes. It can't be good for you...”

“Wish that was a thing for actual fat. That girl that fell earlier could use it.” Alex spoke.

“Psh, I’ve already told you all, I’ve never been better.” Clover confidently said, “I can still do my flips in cheerleading. I've even impressed the coach. Other than that, I have a doctor’s appointment in a couple of days to prove how healthy I am!”

“Alright, I think we get it," the tan friend expressed.

Sam injected, “I have noticed something though… You’ve been nicer ever since you’ve returned to school.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I mean especially with what just happened. It’s kinda unlike you. Yesterday when Mandy ‘tripped’ and spilled soda on you, I was surprised she didn’t get a mouthful from you. You just well, smiled and went to the restroom.”

“I mean, I guess I’ve learned to be more mellow… You two really notice stuff like this?” The two besties nodded simultaneously. “Gosh, I guess I need to be a bit more rough around the edges then,” the blonde scoffed. Sam’s green eyes tracked a figure behind Clover. “What’s up, Sam?”

“Uh, turn around…"

(Continued... --->)