Chapter 1: College

Well, its going to be a long year sigh. First day of class and I'm already feeling self conscious. Why the fuck do they have to make the campus so big, at least put the lecture halls closer to the dorms! Should I really be this out of breath...

*All these thoughts raced through Abby's head as she did her best to navigate her over 300 pound frame to her first class of the day, economics. She had heard that this professor was very strict and she did not want to make a bad impression by being late on the first day. She had planned out 20 minutes to make the walk, thinking it would be plenty of time to arrive at the hall of business as it was described to her as a 'just a quick 10 minute walk' by one of the seniors when she first moved into her dorm on orientation day. However, she had failed to account for the fact that she was hopelessly out of shape, something she did her best to ignore on a daily basis. It was virtually impossible to ignore now as she could feel her butt jiggle uncontrollably with each step, making her cute, professional dress that she had maticulously picked out for the first day ride up towards her backpack with each step. Honestly though, now that she was living independently in a single dorm room at a prestigous top 10 college she was feeling pretty good about herself. It helped that most people who were dumb or rude were filtered out by the college's strict admission criteria. What was left comprised the student body: an extremely intelligent group of diverse, kind, and (most importantly) fat-accepting young adults who would never be so mean as to call Abby names like her peers in High school did. In fact, Abby was feeling popular as being a nerd throughout her whole life was starting to pay off as pretty much everyone else here was too. Finally she could be the confident girl she always dreamed of now that her haters weren't around to keep her down. You bet she ate as much BBQ and smores as her heart desired during the student welcoming cook out. Thus begins the story of Abby...*

As I stumbled into the economics lecture hall, arriving just on time, I could feel the eyes of my fellow students on me, but these were different eyes. They weren't judgmental, like those I encountered back in high school. These were eyes of curiosity, of understanding. I tried to slide into the desk, which was clearly designed for someone much smaller, and I couldn't help but giggle awkwardly in embarassment to myself. I was spilling over the sides like an ice cream cone that's was just a bit too generous.

Still catching my breath, the professor started talking about supply and demand, but my mind kept drifting. I felt extremely aware of myself, catching glimpses of my round tummy pressing against the edge of the desk or my thighs rubbing together beneath the desk. Honestly, it was a little distracting, but it also made me feel strangely powerful. I was unapologetically taking up space, and nobody seemed to mind. I was just another highly accomplished student who happened to be fat, no big deal. With that thought put to rest, I sat through the rest of class enjoying the material.

After class, I decided to explore the campus a bit more. The buildings were grand and imposing, but my main focus was on getting to know my fellow students. I found myself in the college common area, and as I settled into one of the plush couches, I couldn't help but notice that these seats were far more accommodating than those tiny classroom desks. I chatted with a few fellow students I'd met in class, and to my delight, conversations flowed easily.

Lunchtime came around, and I joined the bustling cafeteria. Rows upon rows of food stations beckoned me with an array of delectable options. My heart raced as I piled my tray high with a bit of everything – from crispy chicken tenders to cheesy pasta to a mountain of mashed potatoes. My plate was a masterpiece of flavors and colors, a true expression of my joyful appetite. I sat with my new friends, enjoying my meal, with happy smile all around.

As I settled into my dorm room later that afternoon, I reflected on the day. Sure, my body was big, and navigating this world required a bit more effort, but I felt like I had finally found my place. Among a community that appreciated intellect, diversity, and yes, even the uniqueness of my size. My day might have been a bit exhausting, but it was also exhilarating – a chapter in my story that was just beginning. I'll never let my size define what i'm capable of. "I'm gonna be the baddest CEO boss bitch of all time" she proclaimed jokingly to herself.

*What Abby couldn't have known is that she was on the start of a grand journey to becoming an extremely morbidly obese, immobile, helpless blob. Too fat to even wear clothes with no hope of climbing the corporate ladder, or really any ladder for that matter. College was the first step in this journey. Maybe the current Abby would have readressed the importance of her weight if she knew the fate that awaited her...*