Growing gaia - complete

Chapter 4

Sophia found herself ravenous, consuming the pizza quickly and greedily. With each decadent bite, she contemplated her next move, weighing whether or not she should request additional slices from Terra.

Terra, on the other hand, noticed the fervor with which her friend was eating and dutifully fetched Sophia her own entire two pies to ravish next. "Terra!" Sophia gasped through a mouthful of food, chewing as quickly as her jaw would allow, half-outraged and half-delighted. "What on earth are you doing?"

Terra plopped the mighty stack of carbs down in front of Sophia. "Eating for, oh, I don't know, two?" she suggested with a wink.

Terra's playful smile only added to Sophia's embarrassment, but she couldn't help but giggle. Her best friend had a way of diffusing tension like no other.

As Nancy left the room, Terra playfully nudged Sophia's shoulder and whispered, "Come on, don't be shy. Let's dig in. We have to keep our strength up, right?"

Sophia's stomach rumbled again, a reminder that she needed to keep eating, regardless of how uncomfortable it made her feel. She took a deep breath and decided that maybe she could trust her best friend's advice.

Sophia settled into her chair, and Terra took a seat opposite her. They chatted about the latest office gossip as Sophia ate, trying to relax and enjoy the moment with her friend. The next to pies quickly found their homes in Sophia’s burgeoning middle, and two more took their place. Eyes going wide, Sophia hesitantly took a slice from this third pizza and saw Terra give her a thumbs up.

She ate a little slower this time but still couldn't ignore the discomfort as her expansive belly stretched the material of her clothes. The thought crossed her mind that perhaps she should excuse herself soon, when something different happened.

As she leaned forward to grab a slice of pizza, her shirt suddenly opened wider. It gaped across her front, a couple buttons flying off and clattering onto the floor. Startled, Sophia's eyes went wide as she quickly pressed her hand over the newly exposed area. Her cheeks grew warm with embarrassment, and she glanced around the room to see if anyone had noticed her wardrobe malfunction. The scene before her blurred slightly as the blood rushed to her head, a swarm of butterflies making her feel dizzy.

Terra, sitting across from Sophia, watched in shock as the buttons popped off her friend's shirt. She instantly leaped up and went to her side, shielding Sophia as best she could from prying eyes. "Everything okay, Soph?" she asked, placing a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.

Biting her lip nervously while a deep shade of red, Sophia nodded.

“Yeah, I think I need to call it a day, actually. I should probably head home,” Sophia replied quietly, her gaze darting around the room once more, hoping no one had seen her embarrassing display.

Terra scooped Sophia’s bags and the remaining pizzas into her arms, ready to help her the moment she stood from her chair. “Come on, then. Let’s get you out of here.” As the two women maneuvered through the crowded office, heading for the exit, Sophia’s large middle bumped into the table at the edge of the room, knocking over some cups and causing a slight commotion. Embarrassed, Sophia apologized profusely, mortified that she had drawn attention to herself yet again.

“No worries, Sophia. Accidents happen,” Terra reassured her, helping to pick up the scattered items and steer Sophia out of the office without further incident.

Once outside, Terra hailed a taxi, ushering Sophia into the backseat before climbing in beside her. Sophia sank gratefully into the plush leather seats, grateful for Terra's support and company during this unexpected and confusing experience.

As they rode through the bustling streets of the city, Sophia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had never heard of, yet along experienced, such rapid physical changes, and the suddenness of it all was starting to wear on her nerves.

Terra tried her best to soothe her friend's frayed nerves. "Look, Soph, I know this is all really strange and overwhelming, but we'll figure it out together. Whatever this is, it's bound to have some explanation."

Sophia nodded, trying to find some semblance of comfort in her best friend's words as her hands idly explored her large and full middle.