The Dog Days of Summer- Sample

Chapter 1

The curtains were drawn, the lights dimmed, and a soft, persistent rain tapped against the windowpanes of Summer's apartment. She lay sprawled on her couch, wrapped in a worn-out blanket that smelled faintly of vanilla and old memories, nursing a cup of tea that was long since cold. The TV was on, but the volume was low enough that she couldn't hear it over the hum of her thoughts. She was in that space between sleep and wakefulness, her mind wandering, when a sharp knock at the door jolted her out of her stupor.

"Summer, it's me," Ella's voice called out from the other side, bright and cheerful, like a ray of sunshine piercing through the gloom.

Summer sighed, setting her cold tea on the coffee table and heaving herself off the couch.

She shuffled towards the door, her slippers shuffling softly on the hardwood floor. She opened the door to Ella, who rushed in with a wide smile and a box of pastries clutched in her hands. "I brought a snack for my girl!" she announced, holding the box out towards Summer.

Summer raised an eyebrow, unable to hide her amusement at Ella's enthusiasm. "Ella, it's almost dinnertime," she said, stepping aside to let her friend in. "And I thought we agreed that you should stop bringing me treats all the time."

Ella waved a dismissive hand, placing the box on the kitchen counter. "Nonsense, Summer. A girl can't live on air and water alone. Besides, these are fresh from the bakery this morning. The apple ones are to die for."

Summer hesitated for a moment, eyeing the box of pastries, her mouth already watering at the thought of the sweet, flaky treats. She couldn't resist Ella's enthusiasm, and before long, she found herself reaching for a pastry. As she took a bite, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. The buttery, sweet flavor was heavenly, melting in her mouth, and she couldn't help but close her eyes briefly to savor it.

Ella noticed her friend's enjoyment and clapped her hands together in delight. "See, I told you! You can't deny yourself the simple pleasures in life, Summer. Especially not in that cute belly of yours," Ella said slyly, her eyes flicking to Summer's midsection, where her shirt had ridden up slightly, revealing a small paunch.

Ella's comment was blunt, but her tone was playful, and she grinned at Summer with a wink. Summer felt her cheeks flush, and she quickly pulled down her shirt, trying to hide the evidence of her latest indulgences.

"Ella, please," Summer said, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "You don't have to call me out every time I gain a little weight."

Ella's smile softened, and she reached out to gently squeeze Summer's arm. "I'm sorry, Summer. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just that you look so adorable when you're all soft and curvy. It suits you, you know?" Ella said, still grinning.

Summer rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile playing on her lips. "Well, you make it hard to resist," she admitted, her gaze drawn back to the box of pastries.

Ella's eyes sparkled with mischief, and she nudged the box closer to Summer. "Then don't," she encouraged. "Live a little. You only live once, right?"

Summer hesitated only for a moment before reaching for another pastry. As she took a bite, the flaky crust crumbled deliciously in her mouth, and she let out a soft sigh of contentment. Ella beamed at her, looking genuinely pleased.

While Summer chewed, Ella turned her attention to the living room, taking in the cluttered space with a critical eye.

Her gaze landed on the pile of clothes in the corner, and she tilted her head, curious. "Summer, did you just wash all your shirts? Or did you have some sort of explosion in here?"

Summer followed her friend's gaze and her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. "No, I just... I had to put some shirts aside," she admitted, her voice coming as a small whisper.

Ella's eyes narrowed as she noticed the familiar blue shirt draped over the arm of the couch. It was one of Summer's favorites, but it was clear that it no longer fit her. "Summer," Ella said softly, her voice laced with concern. "Summer, is that your newest outgrown shirt?"

Summer nodded, her eyes cast downward, unable to meet Ella's gaze.

Her tall, once-lithe frame was now softer, more rounded, her jeans hugging her thicker thighs and the buttons of her shirt straining across her chest. But it was her belly that had seen the most change, a bloated, soft mound that jutted out from her otherwise slender torso. It was as if someone had inflated a balloon beneath her shirt, the fabric tenting outward, drawing attention to the growing expanse of her midsection. Her waistline had all but disappeared, swallowed up by the ball of flesh that now spilled over the top of her jeans. Summer's hands instinctively went to her belly, gently rubbing the soft, warm skin, as if trying to soothe the discomfort she felt, both physically and emotionally.

Ella's expression softened, and she stepped closer to Summer, her voice gentle. "Summer, it's okay. You're beautiful, no matter what size you are." Ella said, her voice soft and comforting. She picked up another pastry from the box, holding it out to Summer. "Here, have another. It's not going to change who you are."

Summer looked up at her friend, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. She took the pastry from Ella. "You always know what to say, Ella," she murmured, taking a bite of the pastry. The sweet, buttery flavor filled her mouth, and she closed her eyes briefly, letting the sensation ground her.

"I mean it, Summer. You're gorgeous just the way you are. And if that means you're a little softer, a little curvier, then so what? It's natural. It's human.”

Summer smiled, taking another bite of the pastry. The sweet, flaky treat melted on her tongue, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of acceptance wash over her. She looked at Ella, who was watching her with a warm smile. "You know, you're right," Summer said, her voice softer than before. "I'm not the same person I was when we first met. I'm not the same person I was last year, or even last month. But that's okay." She paused, her gaze dropping to her belly for a moment before meeting Ella's eyes again. "I mean, look at this place," she said, gesturing around the apartment with her free hand. "It's not tidy or perfect, but it's mine. And it's full of memories, good and bad. Just like this body of mine." Summer said, her voice steady and determined. With a deep breath, she tugged at the hem of her shirt, slowly lifting it upward. Ella's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't stop her friend, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern as Summer revealed her belly in all its glory.

"Summer, what are you doing?" Ella asked, her voice soft, her eyes fixed on Summer's exposed midsection. The soft, round belly was on full display, the skin smooth and unblemished, save for a small, delicate scar from a childhood accident. Summer looked down at herself, her gaze tracing the curve of her belly, her hips, and her now-ample breasts. She felt a sense of vulnerability, but also a strange sense of liberation.

"I'm showing you," Summer said, her voice soft and gentle, looking for Ella’s approval.

She held Ella's gaze for a moment longer before slowly lowering her shirt, her belly disappearing from view once more. Ella let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her heart pounding in her chest. She was taken aback by Summer's sudden display of vulnerability, but she could also see the determination in Summer's eyes.

"Summer, I–" Ella started, but Summer cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"No, Ella. It's okay. I just... I wanted you to see," Summer said, her voice steadier than before. She looked down at her shirt, her fingers tracing the edge of the fabric for a moment before she let out a soft sigh. "I guess I'm just trying to make peace with it, you know? With all of this," Summer said, her voice soft.

Ella, moved by her friend's vulnerability, reached out gently and placed her hand on Summer's belly. The soft, warm skin was smooth beneath her touch, and Summer's breath hitched slightly at the contact. The sudden physical connection was intimate and unexpected, and it caused a ripple of sensation to spread through Summer, catching her off guard. She looked down at Ella's hand on her belly, her eyes growing wide with surprise and a touch of discomfort.

"Ella, what are you doing?" Summer asked, her voice a mix of confusion and apprehension. Ella, noticing her friend's reaction, quickly pulled her hand away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry, Summer. I didn't mean to–" she began, but her apology was cut short by the sharp ring of Summer's phone, the sound echoing through the apartment and breaking the awkward moment.