Chapter 2 Graduation

*Fast forward to senior year of college, and you'll find Abby slightly different from the person you met on that first day. Her knowledge and maturity had grown, but so had her waistline...*

My journey through college led me through years of learning, self-discovery, and yes, a bit more growth in size. As I donned my graduation robes in my dorm room, now adorned with familiar marks of a well-lived college life and a few stray sweet seltzer drink spills from the numerous senior year parties I'd attended, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nostalgia and excitement for what lay ahead.

The prestigious campus that had once seemed vast and daunting had transformed into a place I called home. I had found my niche within the college community, excelling both academically and socially. My friends formed a close-knit group of kindred spirits who appreciated me for who I was—intellectually and as the confident, vivacious woman I had become. We had all achieved remarkable success, securing sought-after internships that promised financial security. I was even set to earn over $300,000+ annually after graduation at a renowned consulting firm. Even my parents, who had been critical of my academics (and my weight), offered rare sincere praise. Successful entrepreneurs themselves, they couldn't deny my accomplishments throughout college.

However, my physical transformation was undeniable too. I was no longer the girl struggling to make her way to that first economics class. I had transitioned into a new weight range, hovering around 500 pounds. My physique had evolved into a truly sumptuous form—each curve more pronounced, every movement more deliberate, and every breath a bit more labored, noticeable to both my classmates and teachers. My hips had broadened, my bust had flourished, and my thighs bore the delightful evidence of indulgent dining hall experiences.

Embarrassingly, this year, I had to arrange special accommodations for some of my classrooms to ensure I had a desk chair spacious enough for my behind. While every faculty member outwardly attributed this to "college desks being too small," I suspected some had other thoughts... I avoided signing up for some classes all together if they were in some of the older academic buildings in which the halls and stalls of their bathrooms were far too outdated or small.

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I realized I truly resembled a pear, framed within the green-hued graduation robes of my school. A nervous chuckle escaped my lips—I wasn't entirely sure why. My size didn't trouble me greatly; after all, I'd always managed to make it work. My accomplishments spoke volumes; I was graduating summa cum laude, at the top of my class. It's ture I wouldn't be entirely honest if I didn't admit that amidst the incredible sense of empowerment from my academic endeavors paying off, moments of vulnerability still emerged. Senior year ushered in a series of farewell events, from academic ceremonies to official parties commemorating our upcoming graduation. Stepping into these gatherings, pride surged within me, yet even among my accepting peers, a trace of self-consciousness lingered.

In truth, I was entering a realm beyond the protective cocoon of my college community and its PC values. A world where judgments and expectations could be less forgiving. While my friends remained steadfast, I occasionally felt the weight of lingering gazes from peers, gazes from students that lasted just a tad too long or hushed whispers when I caught my breath or needed to take the elevator instead of stairs, unlike everyone else... It wasn't the same as the harsh taunts of my past, but it served as a reminder that societal standards persisted. I knew I possessed a level of attractiveness; "you have the prettiest face" comments had been a mix of flattering and annoying throughout my life, especially in college. I had even managed to land a date with the star football player of our school, Daric, although it was short-lived. I couldn't help but suspect my weight prevented him from comfortably transitioning our relationship beyond graduation into the 'real world'. Daric cited his football commitments as the reason, claiming he'd be too occupied to focus on us and that he was sorry and that I deserved the best, blah blah blah... He eventually secured his dream NFL deal at the end of the year, and i was happy for him but I felt somwhat left behind.

Thus, as I stood on the brink of graduation, I contemplated my journey. I had gained far more than just weight—wisdom, friendship, and an unshakable sense of self-pride. However, with post-college life looming, I grappled with the same question that had accompanied me since my initial steps onto campus: Could I remain unequivocally myself, even in a world beyond these walls that might not be as embracing?

And so, my senior year reached its conclusion, marked by celebrations, farewells, and a touch of uncertainty. As I shifted my tassel from one side of my cap to the other, I recognized that the journey was far from over. The world outside beckoned, and I was resolute in facing it with the same spirit that had guided me through these transformative years—a spirit that whispered, "You are Abby, and you are beautiful just as you are." However, that whisper was abruptly silenced as my substantial blubbery rear settled into my seat, eliciting a strained creak from the folding metal graduation chair beneath me. Swiftly adjusting my weight forward, I averted the potentially most embarrassing moment of my life. "Another crisis averted, you're nailing it Abby!" I whispered to myself, a nervous smile playing on my lips as excitement for the future welled within me. Also hunger, as her stomach growled for a snack.

*Perhaps that should have been her wake-up call. One thing she forgot to mention in between her little self indulgent monologue is that she's been forced to purchase an extendable shoe horn on Amazon because she's been having trouble getting her sneakers on. She has to pre-tie her laces because she's too fat to reach, though she'd never admit that to her friends, and I doubt even herself. Anyways, dont mind me, keep reading if want to watch this fat piggy pay the price for her hedonism*