Chapter 1

The sun streamed through the large windows of their shared apartment, casting a golden hue on the sleek furniture and polished hardwood floors. Mac was sprawled on the couch, his long limbs draped over the armrest, scrolling through Instagram with a self-satisfied grin. The faint sound of a blender whirring in the kitchen punctuated the air, where Sean was preparing his infamous protein shake—a ritual that had become part of their daily routine.

The faint sound of a blender whirring in the kitchen punctuated the air, where Sean was preparing his infamous protein shake—a ritual that had become part of their daily routine.

Mac glanced up, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “You think if I pose with a protein shake, it’ll give me more followers?”

Sean chuckled, his brown hair tousled in that effortlessly perfect way that made him look like he’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. “You’re already a thirst trap, Mac. A shake isn’t going to change that.”

They both knew the truth. Their combined beauty had garnered them a massive online following—one that they had meticulously curated since their kindergarten days. What had started as innocent childhood antics had transformed into a high-stakes game of likes, comments, and brand collaborations. Their Instagram feeds were a showcase of stunning selfies and perfectly staged shots, the envy of their peers. Only problem was, instead of enjoying the good influencer life, they were stuck in college, forced by their parents to pursue a degree they didn’t like.

“Can you believe we’re stuck here?” Sean called from the kitchen, his voice laced with frustration as he scooped protein powder into the blender. “Another semester of this place, and I might actually lose my mind.”

Mac glanced up, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. “Seriously, I can’t stand it either. It’s like we’re trapped in a never-ending cycle of lectures and group projects. I’m way too beautiful for this kind of torture.”

Sean leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Right? You’d think a business degree would come with at least a hint of excitement. But no, it’s just spreadsheets and boring lectures on economics. Who cares about supply and demand when we could be living our best lives?”

Mac chuckled, stretching his 6’2” frame as he pushed himself off the couch. “I’d take a photoshoot over this any day. We should just drop out and focus on modeling. It’s not like this degree is going to make us any prettier.”

“Or richer,” Sean added, rolling his eyes. “At this rate, we’ll graduate and be stuck in some office job, regretting every decision that led us here.”

The thought hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. They both knew they had the potential to be more than just another set of numbers in a classroom. The beauty they shared had made them influencers, and the world of modeling felt like a glittering escape from the drudgery of college life.

“Hey, speaking of,” Sean said, trying to shake off the gloom. “Did you see the email? We got hired for the modeling gig!”

Mac shot up, his expression shifting from lazy amusement to exhilaration. “No way! Are you serious?”

Sean grinned, unable to contain his excitement. “Yeah! Trent just sent it over. We’re officially models for the agency now!”

“Dude, that’s insane!” Mac said, running a hand through his blonde hair, the excitement shining in his eyes. “We’re going to be the hottest duo in the game. This is our moment!”

The thrill of it all rushed over them, their usual cockiness amplified as they high-fived, reveling in the promise of newfound fame. “Think of the photoshoots! The brand deals!” Mac exclaimed, imagining the possibilities. “We’re going to take over Instagram.”

But as the euphoria settled, Sean’s brow furrowed. “We have to meet Trent later, right? What if he has bad news?”

“Relax,” Mac replied, rolling his eyes. “What could possibly go wrong? We’re the best-looking guys they’ve got.”

The agency’s office was a sprawling, glass-encased fortress in the heart of the city, buzzing with energy and ambition. As they entered, the faint scent of expensive cologne mixed with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Models milled about, each more stunning than the last, yet somehow Mac and Sean still managed to stand out—two radiant stars amid a galaxy of beauty.

Trent, their agent, was a sharp-dressed man in his mid-forties, his slicked-back hair a testament to his own meticulous nature. He had a commanding presence that demanded attention, and as he waved them into his office, Mac and Sean exchanged glances, their expressions a blend of excitement and bravado.

“Boys, take a seat,” Trent said, gesturing to a plush leather couch. “We need to talk.”

The air in the room shifted, tension creeping in as they settled down. Trent’s piercing gaze met theirs, and the weight of the conversation hung thick.

“I know you’ve both been excited about your placements,” he began, his tone steady. “But I have some unfortunate news.”

Mac and Sean shared a quick, nervous glance. “What do you mean?” Sean asked, his voice steady, though an undercurrent of anxiety laced his words.

“It’s about your modeling gigs,” Trent replied, leaning back, fingers steepled. “We’ve had some challenges. You both have... common features. While you’re undeniably beautiful, you don’t quite stand out in our current catalog.”

The words hit them like a punch. “Common features?” Mac echoed, his arrogance wavering. “We’re influencers. We’re stunning!”

Trent held up a hand. “And I don’t doubt that. But the modeling world is harsh. We’re going to have to let you both go.”

“What? No!” Sean’s voice rose, betraying his usual cool demeanor. “You can’t do this to us!”

“Wait, there has to be something we can do,” Mac insisted, leaning forward. “Is there a category we can fit into? We can’t just—”

Trent paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Actually, there is one option. Our diversity program is lacking. While both of you are white, we are looking to expand our plus-size male models catalog.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Mac and Sean exchanged incredulous looks, disbelief etched on their faces.

“Plus-size?” Sean repeated, his eyes wide. “Us? That’s a joke, right?”

“I’m afraid not,” Trent said, his tone unyielding. “If you want to continue working with the agency, this is your best bet.”

The gravity of Trent’s words settled heavily in the room. Mac felt a surge of defiance battling with disbelief. “You think we can’t pull it off? We’re just as good as any other model out there.”

“Then prove it,” Trent challenged, leaning forward. “You either gain weight and join this category, or you’re out. The choice is yours, lads.”

Sean's heart raced, a mix of disbelief and frustration coursing through him. Gain weight? Are you serious? We’ve built our brand on being fit and attractive. This could ruin us!

“Look, Trent,” Mac began, his bravado slipping slightly. “We’ve worked hard for this. Plus-size? That’s not who we are.”

“Reality check, boys,” Trent said, crossing his arms. “The industry is evolving. You’re in a crowded market. If you want to thrive, adapt or get left behind. Your looks won’t cut it here unless you can redefine what it means to be a model.”

Sean felt a knot form in his stomach. What does it say about us if we agree to this? Will we just become a joke? “But what if we lose everything we’ve built?” he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

Trent shrugged, a hint of indifference in his demeanor. “I have a roster of models eager to fill the gap. You’ll either jump on this opportunity or find yourselves out of the game.”

The room felt smaller, the walls closing in as Mac and Sean processed the weight of their situation. They were being pushed into a corner they hadn’t anticipated, and the reality of it hit hard.

“Plus-size?” Mac repeated, shaking his head. “That’s a death sentence for our careers. We can’t just—”

“Then you can walk away,” Trent said, his tone final. “It’s your call.”

As they left the office, Sean felt a mix of excitement and dread swirling within him. They were stepping into uncharted territory, and while he admired Mac’s audacity, he couldn’t shake the nagging doubt in the back of his mind. What if this was the end?

“Are we really going to do this?” he asked as they made their way down the bustling street.

“Absolutely,” Mac replied, confidence radiating off him. “We’ll own this. Plus-size or not, we’re going to make waves.”

But Sean hesitated, the thought of gaining weight gnawing at him. “But what if we lose everything we’ve built?”

Mac’s grin widened, cocky and defiant. “Then we’ll build something new. We’ll show the world that we’re more than just a pretty face. Let’s turn this challenge into our greatest comeback.”

“Right,” Sean said, but doubt lingered in his mind. “It’s just—what if we can’t do it? What if we actually have to gain weight? We’re talking about changing everything.”

Mac sighed, running a hand through his hair again, frustration building. “I don’t know, man. But what choice do we have? Do we really want to walk away from all this?”

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears. Finally, Sean spoke up, his stomach growling in a rather inopportune moment. “How about we grab some lunch? I could use a burger right about now.”

Mac raised an eyebrow, a grin breaking through the tension. “You mean you want to hit up McDonald’s?”

“Yeah,” Sean said, forcing a light laugh. “Maybe it’ll help us think.”

“Then it’s settled,” Mac said, a hint of mischief returning. “We’ll go and brainstorm how to make ‘plus-size’ look good on us.”

As they walked, the weight of their decision loomed larger than ever. They both knew they had agreed to the challenge ahead, but the thought of gaining weight felt like a betrayal to everything they had built.

“Honestly, Sean,” Mac said, trying to lighten the mood, “you might even look good with a few extra pounds.”

Sean met Mac’s gaze, and for a brief moment, they both laughed, but the laughter faded quickly. “Yeah, but what if we actually go through with this? I don’t want to lose who I am.”

Mac’s expression shifted, the cockiness wavering as he considered his friend’s words. “I get it, man. But this could be our shot. If we nail it, we could redefine what it means to be a model in that category.”

Sean nodded slowly, the idea settling uncomfortably in his mind. “Redefine ourselves or redefine the whole industry?”

“Both,” Mac replied, his voice steadier now. “But it’s a risk. We’d have to actually commit, not just for a few weeks but for as long as it takes to get traction.”

“Can we even pull that off?” Sean mused, feeling a knot of anxiety twist in his stomach. “I mean, the last time I had a burger without worrying about macros was... never.”

“Then maybe it’s time to change that,” Mac said, determination creeping back into his voice. “We’ve always been about pushing boundaries. This is just another one.”

As they walked into the fast-food restaurant, the smell of fries wafted through the air, mingling with their apprehension. Mac opened the door, and the bell jingled, announcing their arrival. Inside, the familiar chaos of hungry patrons surrounded them.

As they unwrapped their meals, the aroma of freshly fried potatoes and sizzling burgers wafted around them, igniting their senses. Mac took a bite of his Big Mac, the flavors exploding in his mouth. The tangy special sauce mingled with the crisp lettuce and juicy beef, and he couldn’t help but let out a satisfied groan. “This is incredible,” he said, a grin spreading across his face.

Sean followed suit, tearing into his double cheeseburger. The moment the warm, savory meat hit his tongue, a wave of comfort washed over him. “Oh man, how have we been living without this?” he asked, his eyes wide with delight. Each bite was a burst of flavor—the salty cheese, the crunch of pickles, and the soft, pillowy bun melting together in perfect harmony.

“I could get used to this,” Mac said, savoring every mouthful as if it were a gourmet meal. He glanced at Sean, whose eyes were shining with appreciation. “Imagine if we took this vibe and ran with it—like, ‘embracing our new selves’ or something.”

“Right? We could even start a whole campaign about loving food and our bodies,” Sean replied, his voice muffled as he stuffed fries into his mouth. The crispy golden fries were addictive, and he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for more. “There’s something liberating about just enjoying it, you know?”

As they devoured their meals, the earlier tension faded. They joked and laughed, both feeling the weight of their decisions lightening with every bite. Mac leaned back, patting his stomach. “I mean, if this is what it takes to be plus-size, I could get behind it. Who knew indulging could feel this good?”

Sean chuckled, wiping a stray fry crumb from his mouth. “Just imagine the content we could create. ‘Two fit guys embracing their dad bods and living life!’”

“Let’s just enjoy this,” Mac said, trying to sound upbeat as they queued. “For now, let’s be those guys who can have a burger without a care in the world.”

Sean couldn’t help but smile, if only slightly. “Right. The plus-size influencers who eat fries like they’re going out of style.”

As they kept eating their food, Sean’s initial hesitation melted away, replaced by the comforting taste of greasy indulgence. Yet, a part of him remained uneasy. “What if we can’t do this?” he asked again, this time quieter.

“Then we’ll figure it out,” Mac said, his confidence returning. “We’ve faced worse. Remember that time we almost flunked our finance exam?”

“Yeah, and we still managed to pull off a last-minute study session,” Sean replied, laughing a little. “But this feels different. It’s about who we are.”

“Exactly,” Mac said, leaning back in his seat, eyes gleaming. “We can turn this into a brand. Think about it: two best friends, redefining beauty standards or some shit like that. We’ll be legends… And if we are too embarrassed to admit why we are doing it, let’s just say we are bulking”

Sean considered this, his doubts mingling with the tantalizing taste of their meals. “Okay, let’s say we do it. What’s the game plan?”

Mac paused, his mouth full of fries, and then swallowed. “We start by documenting our journey. Show our followers how we also have cheat days, then we can start posting more food content, like to embrace something new or some shit like that. We will slowly change our feed to fit this new agenda. We’ll still be us, just... with more flavor.”

“Flavor,” Sean echoed, a smirk forming. “And a few extra pounds.”

They both laughed, but the weight of their decision loomed large, even as they indulged in their meals. They finished eating in contemplative silence, each lost in their thoughts about the path ahead. They finished their meals in a comfortable silence, savoring the last of their fries, the excitement of their decision lingering in the air. As they stood to leave, Mac turned to Sean with a playful grin. “You know, you’d truly look good with a few extra pounds.”

Sean shot him a mock glare, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Yeah, right. Just wait until I start asking for double everything.”

“Let’s just fucking own this,” Mac said, determination creeping back into his voice. “Get fat as fuck to join that stupid catalogue, we have faced much bigger problems. Whatever happens next, we’ll face it together.”

“Careful buddy” Sean stared “We might start to enjoy this”



As they stepped out of the McDonald's, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the bustling street. Mac patted his slightly distended stomach, a mix of satisfaction and unease settling over him. "You know, that wasn't half bad," he mused, glancing at Sean. "Maybe this whole 'embracing our new selves' thing won't be as tough as we thought."

Sean nodded, a small burp escaping his lips. "Yeah, I guess. But we can't just rely on fast food. If we're going to do this right, we need a plan."

They began walking back to their apartment, the weight of their decision becoming more tangible with each step. Mac's mind raced with possibilities. "Okay, so we start small. We post a few shots of us enjoying some indulgent meals, maybe caption it with something about balance and self-care."

"Right," Sean nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Right. We could start with some 'cheat day' posts, show our followers we're not always perfect. Maybe throw in some captions about listening to our bodies or something."

As they walked, Mac's eyes lit up with an idea. "Oh! What if we did a whole series on exploring different cuisines? We could hit up all those restaurants we've been too scared to try because of the calories."

"That... actually sounds kind of fun," Sean admitted, a small smile playing on his lips. "We could call it 'Flavor Fridays' or something cheesy like that."

They continued brainstorming as they made their way home, the initial dread slowly morphing into a cautious excitement. By the time they reached their apartment, they had a rough outline for their new content strategy.