Chapter 2 - diagnosis

While Alex had teased April about the glasses on the way home, he was supportive enough to reassure her that they would find the cause of her peculiar symptoms. He even indulged her newfound cravings for McDonald’s, and picked her up a large meal on the way home.

A few weeks later, Alex had been silently observing April’s behavioural changes since the first appointment. Changes that he was deeply interested by. While not ever a social butterfly, April had spent more time in her room than normal, mostly hanging out with her caterpillars. Occasionally in an effort to keep her company, Alex would offer to join her as she watched the creatures worm their way around the tank.

This was a subtle deviation from her regular behaviour, though not a large one. April studies caterpillars as a part of her university studies, and was fascinated by them even before her doctors visit. What had changed was the intensity with which she studied them, and the passion with which she would talk to Alex about them.

The largest change that had occurred was her appetite. April had taken up snacking alongside her caterpillars, engaged in tireless nibbling. ordering large quantities of delivery food, and gorging on it throughout the day. This was what peaked Alex’s interest the most. Though he was deeply annoyed by the way she chewed loudly, he was enchanted by the effects it was having on her body. Though he rarely saw it, frequently wrapping herself in her blanket.

After another 2 weeks, the blood results had arrived, and the doctor asked that April come back in to discuss the results. Alex drove April to her appointment, and waited in the lobby while April heard the results from the doctor. After 30 minutes April emerged in tears, and wordlessly walked past Alex to the car.

That evening Alex tentatively knocked on April’s door. “Come in” April said meekly. April was sitting on her bed, her head in her hands. This was the first time Alex had a good look at her in a month. He let out a gasp as he saw her. Aprils body had undergone some dramatic changes. Her skirt was struggling to contain her expanded lap. Her thighs had softened. Her skirt cut into her small tummy, which now had a soft paunch that had appeared. Her breasts had also grown, now slightly pushing out from her tight tank top.

“It’s the caterpillars”, April whispered to Alex as he entered the room. April had lifted her head from her hands, and looked up at Alex, through her oversized glasses, attempting to gauge his reaction. “The doctor said I’ve gained 20kgs in a month” . April got up to give alex a better look.

Her skirt struggled to contain her larger ass, and her thigh gap had disappeared. Her small tummy gave her a protruding muffin top, which peeked out from her tank top which was riding up. “It’s strange”, April said, “I actually feel more confident”. Alex realised April was staring directly into his eyes, and she bit her lip. “The doctor said I need some more exercise, I know you go to the gym, could you help me?” April asked. “Sure, we can go tonight if you want?” Alex said. “It’d be good to get you out of the house, and away from your caterpillars”.

Before they left, April insisted on changing into tight fitting gym clothes.

As they rode in the car to the gym, April explained more about the appointment. The caterpillars were a new species that April had been researching for her research projects. The caterpillars must secrete a hormone, because April was reacting to it. The effects were still unknown, but judging from her reactions so far, increased appetite and poorer eye sight were 2 symptoms.

April was more talkative than normal, and Alex couldn’t help but wonder what she meant by her earlier statements about confidence.