Chapter 1

Kelsey rolled to her side, then to the opposite side, then flat on her back. She let out a frustrated sigh as she lay in her bed staring up at the shadows cast from the blinds onto the ceiling. Her small, lithe figure sprawled out on the mattress; the duvet tangled within her thin limbs. Once again she could not get her mind to calm down so that she could fall asleep.

It had started with an uptick in her workload. More stress on top of her daily chores and routine had caused her mind to start to race whenever she sat still for more than a few minutes. She couldn’t help, but think about what else needed to be done. Finish the report for the submission, try to get to the gym, do a load of laundry, make dinner, pack her lunch, clean the dishes. The list went on and on and all she could think about was how she was falling behind.

It became a constant game of catch up. Work late to finish the report, skip the workout to pick up dinner, do the laundry so that she could have clothes to wear the following day and then try and lay down to get even a couple hours of sleep. She was sacrificing small things all the time just to get the most pressing matters taken care of.

By the time the weekend came around she was spent from her constant running around and lack of sleep. She wanted, no she needed, to do nothing. To shut her brain off to some mindless reality TV and try to catch up on her sleep. Her weekend would get away from her as she attempted to recharge her batteries and the process would start all over again on Sunday night.

Monday morning was a struggle as always. She forced herself from the bed she had spent hours trying to sleep in. She mindlessly went through her morning routine to get ready in a foggy haze. Tired blue eyes looked back at her in the mirror as she pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail and adjusted her loose purple blouse. This was not any way to through life.

Kelsey had looked into a few different remedies for insomnia once she recognized her issue. Melatonin, sleepy tea, and meditation all seemed to be useless against the formidable foe that was her racing thoughts. What she really needed was a month long vacation on the beach, but that was simply not an option. She was on the verge of trying sedatives when a co-worker made a recommendation that day.

“Another long weekend?” Carol asked Kelsey as she watched the girl sleepily pour her coffee in the office kitchen.

“Not really, I just haven’t been sleeping well lately. Is it that obvious?” Kelsey replied.

“Great not only do I feel exhausted, apparently I look it too.” Kelsey thought to herself.

“Ha, just a little hun. Feeling burnt out lately? Its alright, it happens to everyone.” Carol said as she tried to reassure Kelsey with a soft pat on the shoulder.

“If I could just get some better sleep I think I’d be able to focus and get what I need done, but every time I lay down I just can’t get my mind to rest.” Kelsey vented to her co-worker.

“Here, come sit.” Carol patted the seat next to her at the table.

Carol was an easy person to talk with and many considered her the office mom. She was slightly older than Kelsey and a lot larger, but her rounded features only added to her warm and inviting appeal. She was one of the more senior team members and had the experience and calm to help her coworkers through most jams. She’d also often bring in donuts and other treats to share with everyone, boosting office moral. Kelsey had come to Carol on a couple different occasions related to managing things at work over the years, but this was the first time she’d sat down to vent about a more personal issue.

“So, not sleeping well? I assume its stress related? You have been taking on a lot of work lately.” Carol spoke as she slowly stirred the spoon in her coffee light brown coffee.

“Yeah, I guess so. I’m happy to take on the responsibility, its just been weighing on my mind most nights.” Kelsey replied as she took a small sip from her steaming mug.

“I completely understand. I actually had a similar experience a while back. Too much work, not enough time in the day, the poor sleep left me a wreck. I was running on empty and barely getting by.” Carol explained to Kelsey.

“Really? That doesn’t sound like the Carol I know at all. Your always so calm and collected and on it. You never seem to be lacking in energy either, always bubbly and looking at the glass half full. You’re here every day with a smile on your face helping the rest of us struggle to the finish line ha. Honestly, I don’t know how you do it!” Kelsey said as she tried to picture a more worn down Carol and failed.

“Well…I actually did stumble across something that did me wonders. There were some side effects, but it did solve my sleepless nights and I have not looked back since.” Carol said somewhat carefully.

“Really?! I’ll try anything at this point; I don’t care what it is. I’ve searched all over the internet and nothing has worked so far.” Kelsey replied with hope creeping into her voice.

“Are you sure? Some things may change for you, but if you really need it that badly I guess I could share my little secret.” Carol said with caution.

Carol could sense the desperation in Kelsey; the girl was obviously hanging on her last thread. She saw a bit of her younger self in Kelsey. While she knew the risks, she decided it was probably best for Kelsey to finally get a peaceful night’s sleep.

“Positive.” Kelsey replied definitively.

“Alright then. Have you looked into sleep meditation at all in your search?” Carol questioned Kelsey.

Kelsey’s face fell. Of course she had heard of it. She’d tried many different versions over the weeks until finally giving up. The voices and “calming” music often did the opposite of calm her. She usually just felt more agitated by the end of the session on top of losing another 30 minutes of precious sleep.

“Yes. I’ve already tried that.” She replied dejected; her hopes dashed.

Carol saw Kelsey physically slump back in her chair as she spoke, but her warm smile held to her cherubic cheeks.

“Ah, but I have a special one that is guaranteed to work.” Carol spoke with a touch of intrigue in her voice.

“I’m not sure that’s possible Carol. I appreciate your help, but I’ve tried a bunch of different types and I just can’t get into them.” Kelsey replied skeptically.

“Ha, I promise you, I felt the same way until I found this one. It did wonders for me and made a BIG change in my lifestyle. Listen, I’ll send you the audio file and you can do with it what you want.” Carol said before pulling out her phone.

“Here.” Carol said as she pressed send on the text. Kelsey looked down to see the audio file pop up on her phone. ‘Heavy Sleepers Guided Meditation’ was the title on the file. She shrugged, as she looked at it.

“Alright, I’ll think about. Either way, thanks for trying Carol. You really are the best to talk to.” Kelsey said as she got up from her chair.

“Of course, hun. Come to me any time, I’m always here to listen.” Carol said as she slowly squeezed her bulk out of her own chair.

Carol pulled Kelsey into her healthy bosom for a tight hug, partially smothering the girl in the process before they parted ways for their desks. The rail thin Kelsey pressed against the rotund figure of Carol was quite a sight.

“If you do end up giving it a try be sure to give me a call the following day and let me know how it went. I’m here if you have any questions or concerns.” Carol said more seriously as she shuffled away.

“Okay, thanks again.” Kelsey nodded in understanding.

The day passed by uneventfully. Once again Kelsey felt as if she’d been working constantly while simultaneously feeling as if nothing had actually gotten done. Always busy and yet never feeling like she was actually getting ahead of it. She clicked send on her last email of the day and began to pack up her things to leave. She scanned the office realizing she was probably one of the last ones left. This was a common occurrence these days, but it still left her feeling defeated and alone to look out over the empty desks.

As she made her way through the banks of cubicles she noticed Carol’s light was still on in her office. Kelsey decided to stop by and thank her again for talking with her this morning. The smell of melted cheese and garlic hit her nostrils as she peeked her head in through the door.

“Oh Kelsey, you’re still here!? I thought I was the only one left.” Carol said surprised as she looked up from an especially enticing slice of pizza she had just pulled out of the warm box.

“Wow, that smells amazing, but yep still trying to get all my work caught up. Just wanted to thank you again for this morning. I think I’ll give this thing a shot tonight, what do I have to lose right?” She said to Carol as she watched her take a big bite out of the slice she held.

“Think nothing of it dear, I am happy to help and I think this could be exactly what you need. Please give me a call first thing tomorrow and let me know how it went.” Carol suggested once again before another large bite.

It was pretty normal to find Carol with a large meal set out before her. Kelsey was never one to judge, but it was obvious how Carol had gotten to her current size. Wedged into her office chair and chowing down on some fattening food wasn’t exactly an uncommon occurrence. All the same, Carol seemed happy and she certainly was succeeding in her career. That was all that mattered in Kelsey’s eyes.

Carol noticed the slight girls lingering gaze on the large pizza that sat before her. Her purple shirt hung loosely from her shoulders and was unbuttoned at the top showing just a hint the modest breasts housed within. It billowed over her flat stomach before tucking into the waist of a gray pencil skirt. This also looked about a size too large for her as it covered her slim thighs and small bum. The girl could certainly stand to fill out a bit.

Carol added before Kelsey could slink out of her office. “Here, please take a slice on your way. I don’t need a whole large pizza to myself and you look absolutely famished.”

“Oh uh? Are you sure? I guess I am a little hungry…”Kelsey said, letting the sight of the delicious looking pizza get the better of her.

“I’m positive!” She said as she wrapped a slice up in a napkin and handed it to her.

“Night Kelsey.” She said with a dimpled smile as Kelsey held up the slice in thanks and headed out the door.

Kelsey quickly ate the slice as she headed down the steps to exit the building. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she’d stepped into Carol’s office and smelled that pizza.

The drive home was uneventful and she let out a sigh of relief as she made her way into her apartment. Home at last. She shucked off her workbag and her clothes followed as she entered her bedroom to get a shower. The warm water was soothing as she ran her hands over her slender body to rid herself of the day’s grime. Once cleaned up she put on a silky set of pajamas and grabbed a quick snack before heading off to bed.

Settling in under the covers, she pulled out her phone and looked up the text Carol had sent her earlier. ‘Heavy Sleepers Guided Meditation’ pulled up on her screen as she shrugged to herself and tapped the link.

“Why not?” She thought as the stereotypical ethereal music began to play from her phone. Kelsey closed her eyes and let the sounds overtake her as she still held onto a sliver of hope that this would be different than her previous attempts.

About 30 seconds in a calm female voice welcomed her to the session.

“Welcome to heavy sleepers guided sleep meditation. Close your eyes, get comfortable, and relax as we lift the days stresses for a deeep, heavy sleep.”

A small smile came to Kelsey’s lips as she lie there. The mellow voice was giving her a tingly feeling already. Maybe this would be different.

“Lets start at the top and work our way down, releasing tension and stress as we go. From the top of your head all the way down to the tips of your toes. Sinking deeper and deeper into sleep. Relax the forehead, allow the brow to unfurl. The eyes closed, but not so tight as to create tension. The jaw unclenches, the cheeks are soft and relaxed.” The voice began to walk through the steps of relaxation.

Kelsey could feel her jaw and cheeks releasing as she listened, surprised by how well this seemed to be working. She knew she had done something very similar with the other versions she had tried, but for some reason this one was leaving her with a calm warm and tingly feeling that she thought might actually get her to sleep. Her face felt completely soft and relaxed as she meditation moved on.

“Let the neck and shoulders loosen, arms at your sides. Feel their weight pressing down into the bed as they lay there. The weight of your chest as it rises and falls with each deep breath. Sinking deeper as your back unwinds and your stomach lets out. Each deep breath taking to further down as you fall into the heaviness of sleep.”

Kelsey swore she could feel her body spreading out and sinking deeper into the mattress just as the meditation was guiding her to do. Everything in her torso relaxing as it pushed out and away from her. Each deep breath causing her to fill out more space on the bed as she slipped into to sleep.

“Let your legs lay straight as you continued to breath deeply, each limb taking on the heaviness of sleep as you lie completely still. Thighs spreading further out as they touch, hips sinking deeper as you let the weight of sleep fill you. Pulling you down deeper and deeper until you’re completely relaxed and in peaceful sleep.”

Kelsey let these last words roll over her, barely registering what they were saying. She wasn’t sure she could move if she wanted to at this point. She had both a sense of floating, while also being weighed down into complete stillness. Her limbs lay heavily at her sides, her chest and stomach feeling as though a weight had been placed on top as her deep breaths carried her off into the best sleep she’d ever known. The meditation continued on, unbeknownst to Kelsey, the words continuing to wash over and change her.