chapter 3

Kennedy bounced her leg buoyantly underneath the desk. Whatever her math teacher was saying was not being registered -- it was being drowned out instead by the demanding groans of her gut. She eyed the clock with sweaty intenseness. The FrootLoops she had drowned in chocolate milk this morning were barely enough to satiate her appetite. The bell was two minutes away from announcing lunch...Kennedy's eyes darted quickly over to her new BFF. Melissa had moved seats on the second day to be within kicking distance from Kennedy's curvaceous calves.

It was now into the first week of October, and the two girls were getting on like a house-on-fire. Although being timid and polite at first, Melissa had really come out of her shell in the last week. The girls spent eight hours a day together, meeting up at the caf at quarter after 8 and getting dropped off at home at 4pm every day. The girls had been hanging out for at least an hour after school each day. This weekend was their first big landmark -- Kennedy's parents were heading up north to the cottage and the girls had free rein of her massive subdivision home.

Kennedy felt the sweat begin to descend her temple as the lunch bell slowly called her on. Today, she had donned a light red and white boathouse dress with keds. Her thighs wobbled as she did her anxious dance.

Melissa opted for jean shorts and a tee today, with white Nikes. The new girl had not really made any other friends except Kennedy, and followed her around like a lost puppy. She watched as her fat friend glanced back at the clock and rolled her eyes.

Melissa smiled and nudged her chair.

THE BELL!

Kennedy leapt up with as much movement as her size could muster and grabbed Melissa's wrist, dragging her out the door and towards the stairs. Melissa watched, entranced, as her friend's massive bucket sashayed underneath her dress. The downward momentum of an near 300lb-er and Melissa's top heavy build almost caused the brunette to stumble down the stairs.

Bursting into the caf without saying a word, Kennedy strode across to the servery and produced her credit card.

"Hi. Three Chicken Parm sams - wait, no. Four. Two of the slushies, cherry. Two chilli fries, and...I dunno, that apple pie? No, not a slice. Whatever you want to charge me for the whole thing. Credit please!"

Melissa nudged her. "Oh! And a large chocolate milk and Big Belly cookie." Kennedy trilled in her sweet, faux cutesie-girl voice.

Together the best friends loaded up their two trays and divided their lunch between them. This had been standard fare the past two weeks - Kennedy bought lunch, and Melissa ate whatever was put in front of her. It was easier than packing a lunch, and Melissa came from a single mom household, so this kind of treat was foreign but gratefully valued.

Kennedy smashed through her first sandwich as if it was a crouton. Melissa tried to keep up, as she knew Kennedy would want to pack their lunch hour with as much gossip and hanging out as possible. The two nattered away while they ate, but today marked a first.

"...and did you see Rebecca Nealon's hair? It looks like a push broom. I don't know why you'd do that in your senior year -- GASP!"

Melissa looked across the caf in shock, looking for some extreme event to be unfolding.

Kennedy just sat shocked looking at Melissa.

"Mel...did you...did you finish your lunch before me?"

Melissa looked down at her tray. Only garbage remained, all remnants of consumables had disappeared.

She smiled sheepishly. "Oh! Yeah. I guess I did."

Kennedy tipped the rest of her slushie down her gullet and crushed the container. "Wow. I am...so impressed. I guess we need to step our game up?"

Before Melissa could protest, Kennedy kept going.

"Who knew you had such an appetite? I mean, you're tiny! There's more meat on Good Friday, for crying out loud." Kennedy pinched Melissa's arms.

This wasn't totally true. Melissa had noticed that the past few weeks of changes in routine had taken away the gaunt, lean nature of her midsection. She looked healthy again! Even her mom had commented that it was good to see her with some life back in her face again.

"Hey, I'm just trying to keep up with you!" Melissa punched.

Kennedy rubbed her hands together. "Oh, it's a game now? How's about this -- whoever finishes lunch makes the other person pay for PCV (Pre-Class-Vending). You lose, you pay."

Melissa smiled. It was a deal!

The two got up and crossed the hall, Kennedy's big swollen belly protruding in front of her.

"So," the big bimbo started, "This weekend. My parents are gone tomorrow at 1pm, so we'll just come straight from school to my place. Pack a bag! I'll take care of food, you bring the booze - that was the deal, right?"

"Heck ya," the slight brunette fired back, "I got a bottle with our name on it. Well, with mine. You'll have to see if you can handle it!"

They arrived at the third floor vending machine, Kennedy out of breath but ready to snack.

"Okay chiquita, what do you want to have for the PCV today?"

Melissa stared.

"I want one thing from each row. Those Doritos, that cookie --"

"-- you already had a cookie on lunch!" Kennedy whined.

"--hush now! Silence and payment only, please!" Melissa teased. "I'll grab the brownie underneath it too, and that pack of gum. And a Coke. Wait, do you want something too?"

Kennedy got two of each.

The girls parted ways for their next class, arms loaded with snacks.

Kennedy looked back. "Do you want a Blizzard on the way home?"

Melissa hollered over the bell. "I could be tempted!"

"Ice cream and fries as our Thursday night treat!"

Kennedy was already looking forward to it. They went their separate ways, vowing to meet up at the end of the day.

This was the new routine. Kennedy brought Melissa under her wing with strength and determination. Every day, the girls met, ate, gossiped, and texted like fiends.

Melissa was settling in quite nicely. She had butterflies for their weekend plans. She had been through so much, and now, she had an overabundance of goodness in her life. It was well earned and well deserved.

But, she would soon learn -- there definitely is too much of a good thing.