Chapter 4

When Alisson woke up the next day, she immediately felt regret. Her belly still felt bloated and reminded her of the weakness she had succumbed to. While it had been a fantastic evening, it now reinforced Alisson’s sorrows about her parent’s ultimatum.

She sat up and cringed at the sensation of her belly pouch touching her thick thighs.

Her parents were right; she had to do something about her weight gain.

Determined, Alisson walked to her dresser and searched for her workout clothes. She found them crammed into the rear corner. When she looked at them, she hesitated for a moment. Having been in amazing shape all her life and loving to show off her body, all her gym clothes were as revealing as possible. While the crop tops and hot pants seemed stretchy enough to fit her wider figure, Alisson knew it wouldn’t be a flattering look.

I’ve let myself get this fat, and now I have to deal with the consequences, she finally thought and crammed the outfit into her sports bag.

“Good morning. What are you up to?” Melissa asked while groggily rubbing her eyes.

“My parents were right. I’ve let things get out of control, so I’m going to the gym now,” Alisson responded, determined.

“Alright, have fun,” Melissa replied, to Alisson’s surprise. However, the knowing smile she gave Alisson was enough to damage her resolve.

***

Alisson tried to put her mind onto more positive thoughts while driving to the gym by listening to her favorite music. When she arrived, she felt the familiar rush of vigor she used to get before every intense workout. She got out of her car and entered the gym.

The smell and scenery made her feel at home immediately. This was her realm. She had spent countless hours torturing her body and mind to be at peak physique. Nothing could stop her in here.

She would get back in shape in no time.

Confidently, Alisson walked by the reception and greeted the receptionist with a smile. “Hey, Lisa!”

“Hello…” Lisa replied, and Alisson realized her mistake as the receptionist looked at her in bewilderment, not recognizing who was standing before her. “Wait…is that you, Alisson?” she eventually asked.

Alisson blushed and nodded shyly. “Yeah, I let my workout routine slide for a while.” Even though she wore sweatpants and a jacket over her workout clothes, it was apparent that she had plumped up considerably.

“Holy shit! I can’t believe it! I thought you had changed to some other gym. I would have never thought you’d take a time out to live as a fatty. Wow, this is really something.” Lisa openly laughed at Alisson. “I asked some girls about you a few weeks ago. They said something about you dating an obese pig now. What’s up with that? I didn’t believe them at first but seeing you now, I think they might have told me the truth.”

“I’m in a relationship with a plus-size girl,” Alisson replied, feeling her confidence falter.

“Plus size, you say? They told me it was some 500-pound slob! That’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“Yes, she weighs 500 pounds,” Alisson said quietly, feeling a tingle between her thighs from her embarrassing confession.

“Haha, wow! No wonder you’ve porked up so much. I bet you’re taking up all her bad eating habits and lying on your couch all day. What are you even doing here? The McDonald’s is just around the corner!”

“No! I’m here to lose all that weight. After a few months of intense workouts, I’ll be back in shape!” Alisson hated how insecure she sounded.

“Whatever you say, porky,” Lisa sneered. “Well, you know the way. Some people in there will be just delighted to see your return.”

Alisson didn’t want to spend any more time getting mocked by Lisa. She quickly shuffled past the reception, feeling her derogative on her back.

Her confidence didn’t improve when she found many people inside that she remembered. Some of them were fitness freaks like she used to be. But others were just starting out a year ago, while Alisson had been in her prime. She remembered that she and Sam had made several mocking remarks about their first workout attempts.

Looking around now, Alisson realized they all looked leaner and fitter than she did. She silently prayed that they wouldn’t recognize her and let her work out peacefully.

Her prayers went unanswered as the girls looked at her almost immediately. After a second of hesitation, they all recognized her and grew wide grins. They didn’t approach her, but Alisson could tell they were dying to see her take off her sweatpants and jacket.

She deeply regretted that she had squeezed herself into her old gym clothes. For a moment, Alisson wanted to turn her heel and run back to the comfort of Melissa’s bed. But then she scolded herself for her weakness and promised herself that she would get through this.

She had no other choice.

Breathing nervously, Alisson unzipped her jacket and flinched when the cool air brushed her flabby belly.