A/N: Thanks to all of the girls out there that have reviewed with personal
stories and comments. It means a lot to me, and special thanks to Silver
Elf Child for all of your wisdom and advice. And to Dolphy, it turns out
that Spirited Away is actually a Disney movie so I guess Disney did win a
way. Also I am planning on using a Christina Aguliera song, you guys read
my mind! Lol, well hope you enjoy the story, well not really enjoy, but get
something out of it.
And just for the record only in certain countries is big butts and breasts adored. In some tribes in Africa engaged women eat as much as they can for their husbands so they can be very overweight because that there is considered the perfect body model. And for most of us who don't live in Africa and struggle with our weight for whatever reason, either too thin, or too heavy just remember in the end it doesn't even matter.
The team awaited outside Tanya's room in the hospital. Because of her being from an alien race she was given her own hospital room which allowed privacy for the most part. Tanya sat up staring into space as the doctor told her that she had collapsed because she was maybe exhausted, but most defiantly because she was low on iron and other nutrients that her body needed to survive.
Tanya didn't hear him though, she just kept staring out onto the brick pale wall, that damn wall was so uninviting and such a freaking wake up call to her. She wanted to cry because she had done this to herself, and she had ended up in a place for the weak. She had made herself this way and it had gone to the extreme. But that wasn't why Tanya Vanderblock was upset, and distressed, no that was not it, it was because Tanya knew that this was the life she had chosen for herself and it was not glamorous and despite where she was today she was going to keep on starving herself.
She would continue with her self-famine, and she would continue to drink large amounts of water to occupy the emptiness in her stomach, and she would continue to think of herself as pretty in the future and think of boys barking for her in the future to fill her heart. Yes, there was no way in hell that Tanya Vanderblock would stop, no not until she was the perfect model, not until she was the dream date, and not until she could look in the mirror and saw the idealistic reflection looking back at her.
The doctor's voice had been drowned up to the point where he asked her a direct question.
"Ms Vanderblock", he said, "I know that someone in your field of intelligence would never do what I am going to propose as the problem, so please do not take this as an insult, but I have a very good feeling that this problem is a main cause of food. Have you been eating?"
Tanya looked into the doctor and got ready to play her role, the role she had been playing so well, the role that she hated and despised but somehow gave her some sick satisfaction. She had gone from helping people and saving lives, providing thoughtful and intelligent services that aided the entire team to success, that had been her success. But now her triumph was deceiving people, an addiction that she lingered on. Many are they who seek women to be weak and fragile, and it is they the ignorant who are deceived most easily.
Tanya looked up into the doctor with her big blue eyes, "Oh it's true doctor", she said wearily, "I haven't been eating. I have been so busy that I have been putting off meals and eating quick unhealthy meals. I am overwhelmed with work and that is why that my health has come second in priority. Some of the things that I have dealt with such as the saurians have left clues for us to follow to some of the treacherous things they have done to their own people and its sickening. Lately I've just lost my appetite from the information I have gained. But this is a rude wake-up call doctor and I will most defiantly take heed to this, and take care of my situation. Thank you."
The doctor smiled and nodded and left, "Your friends are outside, shall I let them in?"
Tanya chuckled inside, "Sucker", and then out loud, "Why yes of course, thank you once again."
The team entered into the room. Mallory rushed over to her side.
"Are you okay Tanya", asked Mallory.
And then soon Tanya was bombarded with questions, each fired away with concern, all except Nosedive who lingered, leaning up against a wall in the back of the room by the door.
"Everyone please", said Tanya, "The doctor says I'll be fine, its just that I am exhausted and very tired, and not eating properly. I just have put my health second in priority, and now I am just not going to be able to get away with anymore."
"Well then", said WildWing, "You'll just have to live in luxury for a while, and I think I speak for everybody when we say we'll just let you have a vacation from the group."
The team agreed with a chorus of "absolutely", and "definitely", and "but what of course!" Nosedive just stayed in the back of the room, sickened by the fact that no one could put together the clues.
"Oh no", said Tanya, "I couldn't, I mean I don't want to live like that guys. I want to do my share, and I most certainly don't want a vacation. Everybody that is most delightful of you to help me out like this, but its nothing really. I just need to learn to do my share and not everyone else's. That's all."
And that got Tanya a response of, "what a girl", and "she is so hardworking", "I wish I had your motivation", and "wow you are amazing".
"Are you people that blind", cried Nosedive, "Look at this situation! You fools, and idiots! Is it that easy to hide behind a veil of censorship from reality? Tanya is playing you all like a puppeteer moves the strings on his puppet. Wake up already!"
With that impulsive holler, Nosedive left the room and slammed the door behind him.
"What's his problem", cracked Mallory.
"I'm not sure", said WildWing, "I'm sorry Tanya, let me go find out what's going on with my rude little brother. Hang on."
"No", said Tanya loudly, "I mean it's all right really. Let me talk to him. He's just probably a little freaked out."
"No Tanya", said Mallory, "You stay put. Nosedive is just disgusted by the fact that even though all you've been through tonight you still want to work, and that he can't do a damn thing around the place. That's all it is."
"Don't be so harsh", said Tanya gently, "He's just a kid with a lot to carry on his plate."
"Yeah well", muttered Canard, "He's rude, and he made horrible accusations."
"Do we even know what he was talking about", asked WildWing.
"Wing", said Duke, "I don't think even he knows what he's talking about."
"Why don't we all go have a little chat with him", said Duke, "I think that the kid needs to learn some manners."
"Yeah", replied the team.
"No", said Tanya, "Just leave him alone."
"Tawny", said WildWing, "It's okay really, my brother needs to learn how to act in public, especially around women."
And that was it, before Tanya could do anything else the entire team had left and was out the door after the teenager.
Tanya dropped her head into her shoulders, what had she started?
~Waiting Room~
The team found Nosedive in the waiting staring out into space with a solemn look upon his face. "Hey kid", yelled Canard, "What the hell is the matter with you?"
"Is that how you talk to people", shouted Duke.
"Do you truly think that was appropriate little friend", asked Grin.
"Dive", said WildWing, "What were you even talking about."
"You are just a spoiled brat", began Mallory, but never got to finish.
"Shut up", cried Nosedive, "Don't you all get it yet? This isn't a joke, or some stupid game that people play! This is real! How could you all not get it yet?"
"Dive get what", asked WildWing softly but strictly.
Nosedive shook his head, "You know what", he began, "I don't even care anymore. WildWing you gave me advice tonight, you said that regardless of the consequences if I was truly a good friend like I clamed to be I would do what was best for my friend, so that's exactly what I am going to do."
"Dive what are you talking about", asked Canard.
"Sit down", instructed Nosedive.
The team obeyed now seeing that something was obviously wrong and that Nosedive's temper tantrum was inflicted by something greater than jealously or boredom.
Nosedive looked to the ceiling, the floor, and then to his teammates.
"Have any of you noticed Tanya's weight loss", asked Nosedive.
The team looked at each other.
"Well of course you haven't", said Nosedive dully, "She's been wearing baggy clothes. Anyway Tanya is a liar, and she has been deceiving you."
"Hey you watch the way you talk about", started Canard.
"Would you just let me finish", cried Nosedive, "Or are you going to consistently cut me off? You know what I don't have to tell you anything Canard, or Mallory, or anybody else that is planning on giving me a hard time, because let me tell you I don't need any more problems then I already have."
The team shut up and looked at the teenager expecting one helluva explanation. Unfortunately Nosedive could deliver one.
"Like I said", began Nosedive, "Tanya is a liar. She is smart, smarter than any of us combined and that's why it hasn't been that apparent. But there have still been signs and I'm mad at all of you for not picking them up, cause if you had it would have been a whole lot easier. Anyway can anyone tell me the last time you had a meal with Tanya, a meal in which Tanya ate?"
The team looked at each other.
"Well she's been busy Nosedive", said Mallory, "Besides nobody remembers stuff like that?"
"Oh really", snapped Nosedive, "Then how come you had to defend her before you stated your opinion on what people remember or choose to remember."
"What are you saying", asked Mallory.
"I'm saying come on people! I'm saying wake up to reality! How is that I am only sixteen and out of all of you adults I am the only one who picked this up? You all know something is wrong with Tanya, each and everyone of you. There has been this guilty feeling in your stomachs that rots there until you convince one another that's nothing wrong, because stars forbid Tanya have a problem. Because if Tanya has a problem its all downhill from there, because she's supposed to be perfect."
"Dive", said WildWing gently, "Obviously you're upset, now either we talk about this later, or calm down, take a big breath and then just spit it out."
Nosedive sighed, "Tanya has no self-esteem, Tanya thinks she's fat, Tanya is affected by society's view of beauty-"
"Nosedive", said WildWing a little deeper, "You're stalling."
"Tanya's anorexic."
The team looked at one another, then at Nosedive, and then back at one another.
"Prove it", said Canard.
"You guys don't believe me", shot Nosedive.
"Kid", said Duke, "That's a pretty huge accusation."
Nosedive rolled his eyes, "Oh I give up! You know what Duke, and Canard, and all of you, you are all stupid! Just plain out stupid! Stop running around this! You have to know that I'm right! You all know I'm right! How could you not? Put the clues together!"
"What clues Dive", asked WildWing strictly.
"You're my brother", shouted Nosedive staring straight at his brother, "How dare you not side with me!" (Then to the rest of the team.) "None of us have eaten with Tanya in the same room to actually watch her consume the food. Tanya got sick in the hospital because of supposed "bad meat", and sandwich that she never ate. Tanya is now in the hospital because of no nutrients, and exhaustion. Wake up!"
"Dive", said Mallory, "That's very sweet of you to care about Tanya like that but I'm sure that there are very good reasons, such as the fact that she has been working so she hasn't had time to eat meals with us, and could it just be that maybe she was sick? That does happen Nosedive."
"She told me", cried Nosedive, "She straight out told me!"
"Dive", said Canard, "You don't need to lie."
"LYING", cried Nosedive, "I'm not lying! How could you think that? Do you all think that?!"
"No", said WildWing, "Nosedive doesn't lie, I believe him."
"Well I don't", cried Canard.
"Well I do", said Duke, "It's in his eyes, I know when people are lying and he's not."
"I believe Nosedive", said Grin, "Even he would not joke about something as grave as this."
"Oh come on people", said Canard, "This is just one of his stupid pranks!"
"Nosedive wouldn't joke about something like this", said WildWing defending his brother.
"Oh give it up Wing", cried Canard, "You can't possibly believe him!"
"Well I do", said WildWing.
"Well I don't", shouted Canard.
"Neither do I", added Mallory, "I don't believe a word of it. Tanya is practically perfect."
"No she's not", shouted Nosedive, "Everyone has problems!"
"Tanya would have told me", cried Mallory, "Why wouldn't she?"
"Maybe she was too embarrassed", cried Nosedive, "Maybe she felt inferior to your idealistic body! Not everyone is as pretty as you!"
"Nosedive enough", said Canard, "I've had enough of this. It's not like Tanya's even fat to begin with! And Tanya's a smart girl, she knows better."
"Yeah", cried Nosedive, "Fine! Go prove me wrong and watch her eat something and then monitor her all day so she doesn't throw it up! Prove me wrong Canard. I sincerely hope you can, go prove me wrong!"
Canard was taken back and looked straight into Nosedive's eyes, "You're not kidding are you?"
"No", said Nosedive solemnly in a deep voice.
"Oh Canard come on", said Mallory, "Don't side with them, have you all lost your minds?"
"Mallory", said WildWing gently, "I know that this is upsetting, but Nosedive is my brother and I know this kid, and I know when he's serious, and trust me he's serious. Besides that explains so much of what's going on. It makes sense, Mal, now let's go confront Tanya about her eating disorder."
"First of all", cried Mallory, "Even if she did have an eating disorder, you don't have men talk to her about it! That makes the whole situation more humiliating!"
"But we're her team", said Duke, "We've always been able to talk to one another."
"But even if what you are saying is true", said Mallory, "A woman's weight is a sensitive issue."
"So then we don't say anything about her weight", said Duke, "And we'll phrase it differently, but come on Mal even if Nosedive is wrong here we still need to talk to her about this, just to make sure."
"Are we sure about this", asked Canard scratching his neck, "I mean I'd be pretty insulted if I were and these accusations were thrown at me. Dive, you sure about this?"
"For the last time yes!", cried Nosedive, "And I don't care what any of you say! Even if you don't believe me I'll get Tanya help myself, and if I can't then we'll just have to wait until she dies of starvation! So there, just wait and see as Tanya will magically vanish from our eyes, go ahead and doubt me, just wait and see, or should I say, see no more of Tanya, cause that girl is going to shrink until it'll hurt for her to move her own damn limbs because of the tight, tight skin. So go ahead, just wait and see!"
Everyone stood there, it was true, not even the best of liars could emulate such emotions. This wasn't a joke anymore, and now it was certain that Nosedive was either crazy or just way ahead of the game.
"This can't be possible", cried Mallory, "How could this be true? I refuse to believe it!"
"Well than wake-up", cried Tanya's all too familiar voice from behind all of them, standing at her doorway.
"Tanya", said WildWing, "You should be-"
"What in bed, resting", snapped Tanya, "Well so nice of you to notice me now. I have news for all of you this is my life, my body, my story so let's stop this charity of motivational speaking before it starts. No I am not going to stop, no I will not eat, and no I will not listen to a thing you have to say because it means nothing to me. I will not stop until I look in the mirror and the reflection is worthy."
"Hate to say I told you so", scorned Nosedive, "But I told you so! I am still lying now?"
"You", cried Tanya, "You of all people! I trusted you, Nosedive! And not only do you parade around in my clothes for the whole damn world to see, you tell everyone that poor old Tanya has an eating disorder. Well it's not a disease I have, it's a lifestyle and its one I plan on living."
Nosedive shrugged, "You all talk to her", he said, "She don't listen to me, and stars knows I've tried."
"Look", snapped Tanya, "Let's get one thing straight, I am not a child, and I am not someone whom you may boss around, your opinion has not been asked for so don't invite it onto the table of awkwardness. Mind your own business and now let's go home!"
Nosedive smiled sadly at the team, "Guess I was right huh?"
And just for the record only in certain countries is big butts and breasts adored. In some tribes in Africa engaged women eat as much as they can for their husbands so they can be very overweight because that there is considered the perfect body model. And for most of us who don't live in Africa and struggle with our weight for whatever reason, either too thin, or too heavy just remember in the end it doesn't even matter.
The team awaited outside Tanya's room in the hospital. Because of her being from an alien race she was given her own hospital room which allowed privacy for the most part. Tanya sat up staring into space as the doctor told her that she had collapsed because she was maybe exhausted, but most defiantly because she was low on iron and other nutrients that her body needed to survive.
Tanya didn't hear him though, she just kept staring out onto the brick pale wall, that damn wall was so uninviting and such a freaking wake up call to her. She wanted to cry because she had done this to herself, and she had ended up in a place for the weak. She had made herself this way and it had gone to the extreme. But that wasn't why Tanya Vanderblock was upset, and distressed, no that was not it, it was because Tanya knew that this was the life she had chosen for herself and it was not glamorous and despite where she was today she was going to keep on starving herself.
She would continue with her self-famine, and she would continue to drink large amounts of water to occupy the emptiness in her stomach, and she would continue to think of herself as pretty in the future and think of boys barking for her in the future to fill her heart. Yes, there was no way in hell that Tanya Vanderblock would stop, no not until she was the perfect model, not until she was the dream date, and not until she could look in the mirror and saw the idealistic reflection looking back at her.
The doctor's voice had been drowned up to the point where he asked her a direct question.
"Ms Vanderblock", he said, "I know that someone in your field of intelligence would never do what I am going to propose as the problem, so please do not take this as an insult, but I have a very good feeling that this problem is a main cause of food. Have you been eating?"
Tanya looked into the doctor and got ready to play her role, the role she had been playing so well, the role that she hated and despised but somehow gave her some sick satisfaction. She had gone from helping people and saving lives, providing thoughtful and intelligent services that aided the entire team to success, that had been her success. But now her triumph was deceiving people, an addiction that she lingered on. Many are they who seek women to be weak and fragile, and it is they the ignorant who are deceived most easily.
Tanya looked up into the doctor with her big blue eyes, "Oh it's true doctor", she said wearily, "I haven't been eating. I have been so busy that I have been putting off meals and eating quick unhealthy meals. I am overwhelmed with work and that is why that my health has come second in priority. Some of the things that I have dealt with such as the saurians have left clues for us to follow to some of the treacherous things they have done to their own people and its sickening. Lately I've just lost my appetite from the information I have gained. But this is a rude wake-up call doctor and I will most defiantly take heed to this, and take care of my situation. Thank you."
The doctor smiled and nodded and left, "Your friends are outside, shall I let them in?"
Tanya chuckled inside, "Sucker", and then out loud, "Why yes of course, thank you once again."
The team entered into the room. Mallory rushed over to her side.
"Are you okay Tanya", asked Mallory.
And then soon Tanya was bombarded with questions, each fired away with concern, all except Nosedive who lingered, leaning up against a wall in the back of the room by the door.
"Everyone please", said Tanya, "The doctor says I'll be fine, its just that I am exhausted and very tired, and not eating properly. I just have put my health second in priority, and now I am just not going to be able to get away with anymore."
"Well then", said WildWing, "You'll just have to live in luxury for a while, and I think I speak for everybody when we say we'll just let you have a vacation from the group."
The team agreed with a chorus of "absolutely", and "definitely", and "but what of course!" Nosedive just stayed in the back of the room, sickened by the fact that no one could put together the clues.
"Oh no", said Tanya, "I couldn't, I mean I don't want to live like that guys. I want to do my share, and I most certainly don't want a vacation. Everybody that is most delightful of you to help me out like this, but its nothing really. I just need to learn to do my share and not everyone else's. That's all."
And that got Tanya a response of, "what a girl", and "she is so hardworking", "I wish I had your motivation", and "wow you are amazing".
"Are you people that blind", cried Nosedive, "Look at this situation! You fools, and idiots! Is it that easy to hide behind a veil of censorship from reality? Tanya is playing you all like a puppeteer moves the strings on his puppet. Wake up already!"
With that impulsive holler, Nosedive left the room and slammed the door behind him.
"What's his problem", cracked Mallory.
"I'm not sure", said WildWing, "I'm sorry Tanya, let me go find out what's going on with my rude little brother. Hang on."
"No", said Tanya loudly, "I mean it's all right really. Let me talk to him. He's just probably a little freaked out."
"No Tanya", said Mallory, "You stay put. Nosedive is just disgusted by the fact that even though all you've been through tonight you still want to work, and that he can't do a damn thing around the place. That's all it is."
"Don't be so harsh", said Tanya gently, "He's just a kid with a lot to carry on his plate."
"Yeah well", muttered Canard, "He's rude, and he made horrible accusations."
"Do we even know what he was talking about", asked WildWing.
"Wing", said Duke, "I don't think even he knows what he's talking about."
"Why don't we all go have a little chat with him", said Duke, "I think that the kid needs to learn some manners."
"Yeah", replied the team.
"No", said Tanya, "Just leave him alone."
"Tawny", said WildWing, "It's okay really, my brother needs to learn how to act in public, especially around women."
And that was it, before Tanya could do anything else the entire team had left and was out the door after the teenager.
Tanya dropped her head into her shoulders, what had she started?
~Waiting Room~
The team found Nosedive in the waiting staring out into space with a solemn look upon his face. "Hey kid", yelled Canard, "What the hell is the matter with you?"
"Is that how you talk to people", shouted Duke.
"Do you truly think that was appropriate little friend", asked Grin.
"Dive", said WildWing, "What were you even talking about."
"You are just a spoiled brat", began Mallory, but never got to finish.
"Shut up", cried Nosedive, "Don't you all get it yet? This isn't a joke, or some stupid game that people play! This is real! How could you all not get it yet?"
"Dive get what", asked WildWing softly but strictly.
Nosedive shook his head, "You know what", he began, "I don't even care anymore. WildWing you gave me advice tonight, you said that regardless of the consequences if I was truly a good friend like I clamed to be I would do what was best for my friend, so that's exactly what I am going to do."
"Dive what are you talking about", asked Canard.
"Sit down", instructed Nosedive.
The team obeyed now seeing that something was obviously wrong and that Nosedive's temper tantrum was inflicted by something greater than jealously or boredom.
Nosedive looked to the ceiling, the floor, and then to his teammates.
"Have any of you noticed Tanya's weight loss", asked Nosedive.
The team looked at each other.
"Well of course you haven't", said Nosedive dully, "She's been wearing baggy clothes. Anyway Tanya is a liar, and she has been deceiving you."
"Hey you watch the way you talk about", started Canard.
"Would you just let me finish", cried Nosedive, "Or are you going to consistently cut me off? You know what I don't have to tell you anything Canard, or Mallory, or anybody else that is planning on giving me a hard time, because let me tell you I don't need any more problems then I already have."
The team shut up and looked at the teenager expecting one helluva explanation. Unfortunately Nosedive could deliver one.
"Like I said", began Nosedive, "Tanya is a liar. She is smart, smarter than any of us combined and that's why it hasn't been that apparent. But there have still been signs and I'm mad at all of you for not picking them up, cause if you had it would have been a whole lot easier. Anyway can anyone tell me the last time you had a meal with Tanya, a meal in which Tanya ate?"
The team looked at each other.
"Well she's been busy Nosedive", said Mallory, "Besides nobody remembers stuff like that?"
"Oh really", snapped Nosedive, "Then how come you had to defend her before you stated your opinion on what people remember or choose to remember."
"What are you saying", asked Mallory.
"I'm saying come on people! I'm saying wake up to reality! How is that I am only sixteen and out of all of you adults I am the only one who picked this up? You all know something is wrong with Tanya, each and everyone of you. There has been this guilty feeling in your stomachs that rots there until you convince one another that's nothing wrong, because stars forbid Tanya have a problem. Because if Tanya has a problem its all downhill from there, because she's supposed to be perfect."
"Dive", said WildWing gently, "Obviously you're upset, now either we talk about this later, or calm down, take a big breath and then just spit it out."
Nosedive sighed, "Tanya has no self-esteem, Tanya thinks she's fat, Tanya is affected by society's view of beauty-"
"Nosedive", said WildWing a little deeper, "You're stalling."
"Tanya's anorexic."
The team looked at one another, then at Nosedive, and then back at one another.
"Prove it", said Canard.
"You guys don't believe me", shot Nosedive.
"Kid", said Duke, "That's a pretty huge accusation."
Nosedive rolled his eyes, "Oh I give up! You know what Duke, and Canard, and all of you, you are all stupid! Just plain out stupid! Stop running around this! You have to know that I'm right! You all know I'm right! How could you not? Put the clues together!"
"What clues Dive", asked WildWing strictly.
"You're my brother", shouted Nosedive staring straight at his brother, "How dare you not side with me!" (Then to the rest of the team.) "None of us have eaten with Tanya in the same room to actually watch her consume the food. Tanya got sick in the hospital because of supposed "bad meat", and sandwich that she never ate. Tanya is now in the hospital because of no nutrients, and exhaustion. Wake up!"
"Dive", said Mallory, "That's very sweet of you to care about Tanya like that but I'm sure that there are very good reasons, such as the fact that she has been working so she hasn't had time to eat meals with us, and could it just be that maybe she was sick? That does happen Nosedive."
"She told me", cried Nosedive, "She straight out told me!"
"Dive", said Canard, "You don't need to lie."
"LYING", cried Nosedive, "I'm not lying! How could you think that? Do you all think that?!"
"No", said WildWing, "Nosedive doesn't lie, I believe him."
"Well I don't", cried Canard.
"Well I do", said Duke, "It's in his eyes, I know when people are lying and he's not."
"I believe Nosedive", said Grin, "Even he would not joke about something as grave as this."
"Oh come on people", said Canard, "This is just one of his stupid pranks!"
"Nosedive wouldn't joke about something like this", said WildWing defending his brother.
"Oh give it up Wing", cried Canard, "You can't possibly believe him!"
"Well I do", said WildWing.
"Well I don't", shouted Canard.
"Neither do I", added Mallory, "I don't believe a word of it. Tanya is practically perfect."
"No she's not", shouted Nosedive, "Everyone has problems!"
"Tanya would have told me", cried Mallory, "Why wouldn't she?"
"Maybe she was too embarrassed", cried Nosedive, "Maybe she felt inferior to your idealistic body! Not everyone is as pretty as you!"
"Nosedive enough", said Canard, "I've had enough of this. It's not like Tanya's even fat to begin with! And Tanya's a smart girl, she knows better."
"Yeah", cried Nosedive, "Fine! Go prove me wrong and watch her eat something and then monitor her all day so she doesn't throw it up! Prove me wrong Canard. I sincerely hope you can, go prove me wrong!"
Canard was taken back and looked straight into Nosedive's eyes, "You're not kidding are you?"
"No", said Nosedive solemnly in a deep voice.
"Oh Canard come on", said Mallory, "Don't side with them, have you all lost your minds?"
"Mallory", said WildWing gently, "I know that this is upsetting, but Nosedive is my brother and I know this kid, and I know when he's serious, and trust me he's serious. Besides that explains so much of what's going on. It makes sense, Mal, now let's go confront Tanya about her eating disorder."
"First of all", cried Mallory, "Even if she did have an eating disorder, you don't have men talk to her about it! That makes the whole situation more humiliating!"
"But we're her team", said Duke, "We've always been able to talk to one another."
"But even if what you are saying is true", said Mallory, "A woman's weight is a sensitive issue."
"So then we don't say anything about her weight", said Duke, "And we'll phrase it differently, but come on Mal even if Nosedive is wrong here we still need to talk to her about this, just to make sure."
"Are we sure about this", asked Canard scratching his neck, "I mean I'd be pretty insulted if I were and these accusations were thrown at me. Dive, you sure about this?"
"For the last time yes!", cried Nosedive, "And I don't care what any of you say! Even if you don't believe me I'll get Tanya help myself, and if I can't then we'll just have to wait until she dies of starvation! So there, just wait and see as Tanya will magically vanish from our eyes, go ahead and doubt me, just wait and see, or should I say, see no more of Tanya, cause that girl is going to shrink until it'll hurt for her to move her own damn limbs because of the tight, tight skin. So go ahead, just wait and see!"
Everyone stood there, it was true, not even the best of liars could emulate such emotions. This wasn't a joke anymore, and now it was certain that Nosedive was either crazy or just way ahead of the game.
"This can't be possible", cried Mallory, "How could this be true? I refuse to believe it!"
"Well than wake-up", cried Tanya's all too familiar voice from behind all of them, standing at her doorway.
"Tanya", said WildWing, "You should be-"
"What in bed, resting", snapped Tanya, "Well so nice of you to notice me now. I have news for all of you this is my life, my body, my story so let's stop this charity of motivational speaking before it starts. No I am not going to stop, no I will not eat, and no I will not listen to a thing you have to say because it means nothing to me. I will not stop until I look in the mirror and the reflection is worthy."
"Hate to say I told you so", scorned Nosedive, "But I told you so! I am still lying now?"
"You", cried Tanya, "You of all people! I trusted you, Nosedive! And not only do you parade around in my clothes for the whole damn world to see, you tell everyone that poor old Tanya has an eating disorder. Well it's not a disease I have, it's a lifestyle and its one I plan on living."
Nosedive shrugged, "You all talk to her", he said, "She don't listen to me, and stars knows I've tried."
"Look", snapped Tanya, "Let's get one thing straight, I am not a child, and I am not someone whom you may boss around, your opinion has not been asked for so don't invite it onto the table of awkwardness. Mind your own business and now let's go home!"
Nosedive smiled sadly at the team, "Guess I was right huh?"
