Dismantling Daphne

Chapter 1

Life was good for Daphne. As she stood there in front of her fellow cheerleaders she thought life couldn’t possibly get any better. She had just been announced as cheer captain for her senior year, her boyfriend Sean was the captain of the wrestling team and she was all set to attend a prestigious college next year.

Yes, things were looking great for the gorgeous young cheerleader but maybe she would have been concerned with the look in her best friend’s eye had she been bothered to see it.

Jessica looked on as Daphne soaked in the adulation from the rest of the squad. For most girls, being named vice captain would be remembered as one of the greatest days of their lives, but not Jessica.

Her green eyes burned as she took in the visage of her supposed best friend Daphne. She stood at a leggy 5ft 7in which was taller than many girls of Korean descent. Her long black hair was her crowning glory, poker straight and reached mid-way down her back. With her tan skin and supermodel good looks, there was no doubt that Daphne was the hottest girl in school and now she had everything.

A fact that ate Jessica alive. Daphne had been unbearable recently. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the way she had treated one of the girls trying out the squad that year. The girl was a neighbour of Jessica – a fact that was unknown by Daphne. She had been merciless, tearing the girl down in front of everyone, criticising her hair, clothes and most annoyingly, her weight.

She’d left the poor girl in tears and Jessica swore right then she’d have revenge for her neighbour.



“I can’t believe it!” squealed Daphne “Could a girl even ask for more than to be head cheerleader with her best friend as vice-captain?!”

Jessica did her best to mask her disdain for her friend when she answered. “Oh sure Daphne, this year is going to be great, just great.”





It was just a couple of weeks later when Jessica decided to strike. She had been sitting pretty and pretending to be Daphne’s friend, all the while formulating her plan. A plan that would see her “friend” Daphne’s life left in complete ruins.

She approached Daphne after cheer practice that very day.

“Oh Daphne, we need to talk”

“What about Jess? Can we make it quick? Sean’s supposed to be meeting me afterward”

“No, I don’t think so. In fact you should probably cancel on Sean now, don’t worry I see a lot of this happening in your future.”

“What are you talking about?” asked a confused Daphne

“What I’m talking about, sweet Daphne, is the start of all the changes that are going to happen around here. Like you resigning as cheer captain for example.”

“What?!” giggled Daphne “Are you serious?”

“Oh I assure you that I’m completely serious Daph, and that’s not all, you’re gonna get all fat and gross too!”

“And why would I do that Jess?” asked Daphne with a mocking tone in her voice.

“Because if you don’t do exactly what I say, I’m gonna spill the beans on the fact that you cheated on your SATs”

“But I didn’t cheat on the SATs” replied Daphne, more seriously this time.

“Really? That’s not how it appears in these photos does it?” With that, Jessica threw a couple of photographs at Daphne. They were shots taken before the girls had taken their SATs last year but these were different. They had been doctored to appear that Daphne had answers scrawled everywhere! On her arm, the back of her calculator and even on the label of her water bottle.

“These aren’t real!” screeched Daphne as she tore up the photos.

“No but they’re pretty damn convincing and you had better believe that they are ready to send to the board of governors at the press of a button if you don’t do what I say” Jessica’s demeanour had changed and she was now menacing Daphne. “Now, cancel your plans with Sean, you’re coming back to mine so we can lay out exactly how things are going to happen this year.”





Daphne had reluctantly cancelled her plans with Sean and accompanied Jessica back to her house. Once inside Jessica motioned for Daphne to take a seat at the table while she busied herself in the kitchen. When she returned she was carrying a pitcher full of what looked like milkshake.

“A little drink for you while I go over what’s going to happen for the rest of the year”

“Oh, no thanks” replied Daphne, concern etched on her face.

“It wasn’t a request” remarked Jessica as she poured out a glass of the thick liquid.

“Oh god, that’s obnoxiously sweet! What is that?!” asked Daphne after taking a sip.

“Just a little concoction of mine that you’re going to get very familiar with, essentially it’s melted ice-cream, double cream and weight gain powder”

“Weight gain powder?!”

“Yes, I went to the trouble of getting you a drum to start you off but you’ll have to buy your own from now on, don’t worry I’ll let you know exactly where to get it”

“I can’t believe you’re actually serious about this!”

“Oh I’m serious Daphne, you’re going to turn into a big fat mess if you want to go to that illustrious college of yours next year. Now get on that scale if you don’t mind future tubbo”

“120lbs of cheerleading perfection” announced Jessica “Well that’s going to change big time, now sit down and finish your shake while I lay out exactly how things are going to be”

Daphne sat there and drank the shake as Jessica went through meal plans and informed her how she expected her to behave.

“You are now forbidden from exercise of any kind, you will drive everywhere. Week by week you’re going to stop using makeup and toiletries as much, slowly devolving into a slovenly, smelly pig”

“Why? Why do you want to do this to me? We’re supposed to be best friends” asked Daphne

“Because I’m sick of you little miss perfect, you always have to be the best at everything. Well now you’re going to be the best at turning into a big fat social pariah!” laughed Jessica “don’t worry though; you’ll always have me as your best friend. Now get going and take your weight gain powder with you. And don’t forget, tell anyone about this and you’re done for!”