Ice Palace

Chapter 1 - PART ONE

Jay was bored. It was the height of summer, he was literally a stones throw from the beach and he had a million better places to be than stuck working at The Ice Palace ice cream parlour all day.

In hindsight, if he had spent more time studying at school than playing football and goofing off with girls and his friend, he would maybe have better options than he did right now. So there he was - in a dorky work uniform that was WAY too big for him, another several hours of his shift left remaining, and nothing to do. At least the air con was good, the chair was comfortable (if a bit too soft)... plus there was free ice cream all shift. That was cool. He was limiting himself to no more than two or three servings per shift though. This was just a temporary thing anyway, right?

**

Kelsey stepped into the Ice Palace upon the insistence of her roommate June, who could not stop harassing her to stop there on her home way from an errand on her behalf. Kelsey had tried to avoid ice cream for months, having just recovered from her college gains the year prior. She had had plenty of fun eating every "bad" thing throughout school and her body paid for it. She hadn't minded being very chubby, but she fell to the pressure of the world. And maybe she wanted to prove she could. Every snide remark from her family pushed her to take absolute control of her life. She was nearly average weight now, aside from a chunk of pounds she couldn't get the momentum to shake off.

The only reason June wanted her to go was because she had some crush on a guy who worked there. She wanted her opinion on him, because she was thinking of asking him out. She would never actually have the courage to actually talk to anyone, but Kelsey decided to give her review to shut her up. When she spotted this mighty "Jay", swimming in his polo, Kelsey almost laughed out loud. She couldn't be serious. Kelsey knew her taste wasn't everyone's, by a lot, but she didn't think she liked guys like that. It almost made Kelsey want to buy him one, in the event it would help him in any way. She stepped into the line, pulling up her friend's order on her phone.

**

Jay was often told that his problem was that he spoke without thinking. Especially when it came to attractive women. At college he had always had the gravitas of his football accomplishments and social clique bravado to back him up. Sure he was having a dry spell, but whatever - this was just a temporary thing. "Good morning and welcome to the - wow." He looked up from his previous order, mid rehearsed scripted lines of greeting and beheld the woman in front of him.

Damn.

In that moment, he really hoped he didn't have ice cream on his chin. "Ice palace. Welcome to the Ice Palace." He recovered, leaning nonchalantly on the counter. "What can I get you?"

One of his favourite things about this job (that was only temporary) was that, well, he loved seeing weak willed women indulging. Breaking their beach body diets and giving into the temptation of the frozen dairy calories.

For Jay it was the hottest thing in the world to see them keep coming back again and again as buttons strained and seams split once their clothes started.. shrinking in the wash.
It was awesome.

Taking another big spoonful of mint chocolate chip for himself, he smiled. "We have loads of flavours to choose from. Could I maybe get you a free sample?"

**

Kelsey instantly picked up on his mood shift and wasn't sure if she was reading him right, or if he was a weirdo. Was he attempting to flirt? She gave him a suspicious look, and went in with her order.

"Im all set. Can I get whatever a "Unicorn Cotton Candy Blast" is? My roommate is always into the most dramatic things", she laughed some. She guess she was trying to even socially distance herself from unhealthy food. And she was sure Jay was scouring her body for all it was worth, no doubt noticing the weight she couldn't lose, which started to make her feel a little stressed. That stress had always been a motivator for her, but it went in two directions of control. Hold. And of course... lose.

She could feel her own tongue dancing in her mouth as she read the menu, completely looking through the worker, because the menu was extensive and arguably beautiful with its cutesy pastels, but also it made it easier to be judged by a skinny guy if he was gone. Although his sneaking of huge bites of ice cream in the spaces of their conversation was something she couldn't help but notice. He was so care free, a feeling she had long lost the privilege of.

But her eye landed on a peanut butter fudge flavor, and she couldn't stop the "oooooh" that came out. Maybe that was a little bit of a lingering fat behavior. When something looked good to her, it was hard to say no. But she could do hard things. Like only eating a sample and walking out with June's order to tease her about Jay.

"Maybe just a sample of the peanut butter fudge." She said, actively trying to look like she didn't want it that bad.

**

"Coming right up," Jay replied, scooping up the sample with a practiced smoothness. "That's one of my favourites too. Unicorn Cotton Candy Blast is selling like crazy at the moment so it must be good." He watched her eyes follow the peanut butter fudge sample and laid it out on the counter as he packed the rest. "So, if your roommate is the dramatic one, what's your style?" He continued, "You're clearly the more sophisticated one. Peanut butter fudge is after all the choice of a connoisseur. They told us that on our first day of ice cream school."

He also helped himself to a sample as he spoke. "Yep. It's a classic. Thank goodness they don't keep that here or I could eat it all day." He laughed

**

Kelsey couldn't help but giggle. Even if corny, he was funny. And his confidence, whether warranted or not, showed through. Was it even flirty? He was trying to elevate her up, at June's expense, a classic guy move. But Kelsey could admit June's taste was extremely mainstream. If people were talking about it, June was too.

"I don't really love ice cream," she lied. "But I do like more subtle things. Not fancy or frivolous, but never plain. I have a love for the unsung heroes I guess."

She willed her face to remain straight and emotion-free, but when she took the spoon and put it in her mouth, she took a mini trip. Wow. He looked at her as if he knew exactly how good it was. They took another bite at the same time, together, and she felt the corner of her mouth go up. "Okay. Fine, that's awesome. Ice cream school is real."

**

"See? I know what I'm talking about!" Jay laughed genuinely. "Come on... who doesn't love ice cream? And no, they don't pay me to say that. I like that line about the unsung hero though..." he went on, "that's deep." He nodded to his own words. "Do you have a plan for the summer? I bet a woman of your calibre is jet setting and sightseeing all over the world with your boyfriend...?" Absent-mindedly, he adjusted his shirt as he spoke - he was just a little bloated. No worries, he thought as he rang up the cash register. She wouldn't notice. Besides, he'd just hit the gym extra hard tomorrow...

**

Kelsey laughed out loud. "You're funny. I don't have a boyfriend." She watched him pull at his shirt in the way every fat person did to keep it off their belly, an action she had yet to stop herself. She felt the passing thought of "that's our move", and couldn't see why he thought he could use it too. She adjusted her own shirt as she fought back thoughts of ordering her own. June would probably praise her for finally cutting loose, but she knew the slope was slippery. One ice cream could mean pizza on the weekend and Chinese on Monday.

Despite her mind being plagued with health consciousness to mask her own learned bad eating habits, there was a large part reserved for admiring large men. Especially ones who let go around food. A paradox, but one that she could not stop from existing. Which reminded her of the very out of character way she felt from Jay's attention. Maybe it was just nice to be noticed at all? Or she was just happy to be near a guy who was eating. Absolutely pathetic. Not to mention, she was not supposed to be crushing on her roommate's crush. And she wasn't!

"I've got no big plans. Maybe hit the beach if I can find the time." She didn't say anything about also wanting to lose another 15 pounds, out of fear of bringing to light that she was fatter than her sweatshirt let on. She ran her hand under her chin, as if her fingertips could detect if her slight double chin was on its best behavior. Her test was inconclusive.

"How about you," she asked, curious what he might say.

**

"Me? Married to the job, I'm afraid." Jay replied. It probably sounded funnier in his head, but he was trying to find a better way than saying "Yep. Single for the past year and frozen sundaes are quickly becoming my only solace. Sad face".

"Hitting the beach is the perfect way to spend a day like this." He went on, trying to clear his mind from growing muffin tops overhanging bikini bottoms. He took another conversational mouthful of peanut butter fudge.

"There are so many twists and curves as you go along the coast. Great spots." He subtly looked her over; the way that sweatshirt was beginning to get snug over what... maybe 10-15lbs she had clearly been struggling to lose recently. It was very distracting. What he wouldn't do to watch her turn it into a crop top... "Have you been here long or are you just visiting?" He went on, mentally crossing his fingers, "Oh, also before I forget - what name can I put on the order?"

**

She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling his gaze swallowing her. Like he was undressing her with his eyes, and she was in no condition to be undressed in public. She lived in a neighboring town and often was mistaken for a vacationer. She supposed she didn't look as sunkissed by surfing as everyone else, though.

"Kelsey," she heard herself saying it sort of like a question. She was crumbling in front of this guy and she didn't get why. "I'm a local. Just the inside kind. And uh... less active." Whatever compelled her to say that, could F right off. And the way his mouth twitched just made her feel like he was fully aware. She was ready to take her stuff and go as soon as she had that receipt. She could never come back. And above all June could certainly never date him. How could she bear to even be seen by him again. Especially because her teeth were subtly grinding in the back of her mouth and she was thinking about what she was hungry for. The sample definitely triggered some craving and she could already feel her will to deny herself an afternoon snack diminishing completely.

Maybe it would heal her hopeless romantic wounds that she invented and inflicted within a 15 minute visit to the shop. She knew it was wild, but she was a bit tired of being not noticed by boys her age, at this point no matter how they looked. She felt ignored when she was fat, and found little change as she shrunk down. Where was her skinny privilege? Did she have to be 100 lbs to get it? If that were true, what was the point? Her frustration was going to get the better of her. Likely part of her problem. Maybe she didn't look as adorably sweet and only a little chubby like she thought. Did she look mad all the time? And truthfully maybe her clothes were leaving too much up to the imagination.

Either way she was over it. Maybe McDonald's would make the gross feeling of disappointment go away. She could actually feel herself relaxing just thinking about that unnatural yellow cheese. She somewhat eagerly held her hand up as she heard the receipt print.

**
"Well Kelsey, it's been great to meet you and I hope you come back again soon." Jay smiled, picking her receipt from the till and a pen from his pocket. Without taking his eyes off hers, he finished packing the ice cream and handed it over. "Here's a 50% off voucher for your next visit... if you're ever in the neighbourhood that is." He also tucked a loyalty card behind the receipt but she probably wouldn't notice that until she came back, which he genuinely hoped she would. They always come back.

He had secretly wanted to write his cellphone number on the top of the receipt, but he felt that all that would get him was a slap. Maybe next time.

Jay sat back down then, heavier than he had expected but didn't think anything of it as he mixed up another sampler for himself. The Ice Palace was not busy that day at all.

**