I appreciate all the support I've received the last few weeks. The emails that I got really made my day, and despite the hate that I received as well, I've decided to at least continue what I started. I hope you guys aren't too mad.
"Alright, Aelita, step up on the scale."
I hesitated, staring at the metal contraption, hating it. I didn't want to know what it said. I already knew. I did as I was told, my bare feet touching the metal, sending a shiver up my spine. Yolande stood there, quietly adjusting the scale, letting out a sigh. "Well, Aelita, there hasn't been much change. How are you eating?"
"Fine," I grumbled, my face burning.
"I can put you on the school's diet plan. You don't really need it, but you shouldn't gain any more weight."
I stared at my feet, listening to Sissi's muffled laughter from behind me. I was NOT fat. I was just…getting there. I pulled my sweater back on, taking the paper from Yolande, quietly leaving the room before anything else could be said.
"Hey Aelita," Ulrich smiled. "How'd you do?"
I walked past him, shrugging. I could feel him and Odd watching me, concern in their eyes. Jeremie had already had his exam and was waiting for me outside. "How was it?" he asked, smiling a little. I quietly handed him the piece of paper, throwing myself down on the bench under the tree. He read it quickly, sighing. "Aelita, this doesn't really mean anything, I wouldn't worry."
I threw my chin in my hands, staring blankly ahead. "It's not fair. All the other girls are skinny and pretty and I just look like me."
Jeremie sat next to me wrapping his arm around me. "Don't worry. Look, I don't care what Yolande says. You aren't fat. Not even close. Look, here she commented on your height. Big deal. You're small, so everyone is always going to be saying something about you either being too skinny or too fat. I have a cousin that's the exact same. And trust me, if Odd ever gained even just a few pounds you'd be able to see it. He's face kinda puffs up. That's the downside of having the build that you have."
I glanced at him, sighing. "I just want to look like everyone else sometimes."
Jeremie shrugged. "I like the way you look."
I gently shoved him. "You're supposed to say that."
Jeremie blushed, smiling. "Why am I supposed to say that?"
"Because you're my b—" I stopped, realizing what I was about to say, my face burning. He grinned, returning my shove. "Best friend," I continued shyly.
"Ouch, Einstein, I think you just got friend-zoned," Ulrich laughed as he and Odd approached us. Jeremie smirked, waving off his comment.
"It's nothing compared to what Yumi did to you."
Odd and I burst into laughter, Ulrich wincing against the words but still taking them in a joking manner. "Yeah, well at least I make some moves."
Jeremie gave a small smile, looking over at me. "He's got a point. Well if that's the way it has to be done to prove my love, then Aelita: will you be my girlfriend?"
I laughed, shaking my head. Odd clapped Jeremie on his back. "Better luck next time, buddy."
The bell rang for lunch and I groaned. I had suddenly remembered that I wasn't hungry. Odd and Ulrich shuffled off to the lunch room, Odd rambling on about meatloaf and potatoes or something like that. I continued to sit on the bench, feeling extremely uncomfortable. Jeremie stood there waiting before realizing that I wasn't going to move. "Aelita, you have to come eat."
I shook my head, closing my eyes. "I'm not hungry."
"Aelita, please?"
"No." I picked up my bag and walked towards the dorm, trying not to lose my balance. It seemed like as the day grew on, I got weaker. "I just need to rest. I'll see you later."
Not very long, but something to get the story going at least..
