Chapter 14B - Cassidy

Cassidy was beyond nervous about going out. Her costume was undoubtedly a step up from what she had been forced to wear the previous year. Yet it was pretty easy to one-up dressing up like a 'Sexy' piggy. Even still, Cassidy could hardly find the confidence to apply her makeup and get on her costume. It had sounded like a great idea when Jeff had proposed that they do a 'couples' costume as Shrek and Princess Fiona. Yet, the more they talked about the outfit, Cassidy realized that Jeff envisioned she'd be dressing up as the fat ogre version of Fiona and not the slim princess. She didn't blame him for making that assumption, but it still was a hard pill to swallow.

Jeff.. why the heck had she agreed to go out with him? This would technically be their first real date, and Cassidy by no means wanted to call him her boyfriend. He was nice enough and was the only guy that seemed to talk to her these days. However, in no way, shape, or form was Cassidy attracted to him. He was massively out of shape, fat, and not necessarily a looker. At least Jeff was tall. Of the shortlist of men Cassidy had made out with, he was well behind that usual standard. Yet, for all his shortcomings, Jeff had plenty of confidence and found ways to make Cassidy laugh.

After the night that Nicole and Jess had snubbed her at the frat party, Cassidy spiraled a bit, using food as a coping mechanism while dealing with the apparent loss of two friends. She had even gone so far as to text that guy she had hooked up with at the end of Freshman year, sending him some pictures she wished she could erase. Being so lonely had caused a desperate Cassidy to turn to any outlet for attention, a decision she deeply regretted. Yet into her life, Jeff came, rescuing Cassidy from the rock bottom she had hit. He ate with her and kept her company while they got to know each other more. As hard as Cassidy had tried to keep him in the friend zone, she had let him kiss her once when she was feeling particularly vulnerable. She remembered closing her eyes shut, picturing someone else on the other end of her lips. It had happened, and now it couldn't be undone. The floodgates had opened, and she knew it was only a matter of time before Jeff pushed for more. Having gone half a year without getting laid, Cassidy was worried about how desperate she'd get the longer that timeline extended.

As the two green ogres waddled towards one of Jeff's friend's houses for a party, Cassidy couldn't help but shake a feeling of embarrassment at being seen with Jeff. Yes, it was beyond hypocritical. It wasn't as if she saw herself as arm candy. Yet, the more people laughed at their outfits, singing Smash Mouth, the more Cassidy wanted to go home. It wasn't as if they were laughing at them. Jeff absorbed the attention like a sponge, spouting off lines from the movie. Even still, Cassidy tried to make herself as small as possible, avoiding eye contact and looking at the ground. At least until she heard laughter, she recognized.

Cassidy froze, looking in any direction except for the bunny girl walking towards them. It was hard to tell at first, but it looked like.. Nicole? Cassidy stole another look, wondering why Nicole was using padding on her outfit, but it was one hundred percent her old friend. Fuck.. No, she couldn't let Nicole see her out with Jeff! That was social suicide. If she was ever going to get back in with Nicole and Jess, she couldn't be seen with someone like Jeff. Nicole continued to approach, laughing and pointing.

"Oh my god, Carl, look! It's Shrek and that fat princess from the movie. Wow, that's hilarious." Yet she regarded Jeff and Cassidy as if they were not there, only objects in her view. Cassidy turned her face, trying to look away as much as she could. Nicole walked past her with some stunningly hot guy she was with. When they passed, Cassidy breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Nicole hadn't recognized her. Yet seconds after Cassidy felt relief, Nicole said rather loudly, "Can't believe even fatties like them would go out like that. Must've gotten lost on the way to the dining hall, hahaha." Jeff seemed too busy to hear, as he was waving at some cheering onlookers across the street. Cassidy listened to every word. That comment had ruined the rest of her night, burrowing deep into her head.

Even though everyone at the party was friendly, Cassidy mentally checked out, in autopilot. Unable to shake her brief encounter with Nicole. With her self-esteem low again, Cassidy didn't stop Jeff from making out with after the party was over. She just closed her eyes and pictured that guy Nicole was with while she let Jeff round second base.