Chapter 2 / Plans from Strangers
They think they can help…
But they're useless to me.
They hurt, they prod…
I just can't stand it anymore…
But consequences remain my ally.
Kate was a straight A student at her school. But not "A+" as her mother always wanted. All the students were quite envious of Kate. They insulted her in every chance they got. It was mostly about her weight but some were about how she's such a teacher's pet and how ugly she is. They sneered, snorted, joked, laughed and screamed everything at her. Then they would walk off, howling with laughter. They didn't even feel pity when Kate's eyes started to water and she quietly turned away and tiptoed back to her dark corner to rot.
In some way, Kate accepted her feelings and hid them, deep underneath until at night when she let everything out when she bawls silently while everybody was asleep. She threw tantrums and she hated the fact that she was fat. She denies that God did make a mistake for her getting the wrong body. She knew God did this to her. That's why she hates him; she hates everything about him. At his name, she stiffens and holds her tears back. She had no idea why he would do this to her. What had she done?
While she was pacing herself to school, Matt swung by and congratulated her on her poem. Kate snorted. Matt doesn't get around much so he doesn't even know about the "bitch who shows off" crap. Realizing her luck, she sighed in relief. The she smiled and told him to meet with her after class. He nodded in agreement, almost too fast and foolish. He grinned as Kate laughed in her tingly laugh.
Class was as usual; Mr. Turner gave them extra homework to do. He thinks that doing more homework helps people understand the concept more. Everybody groaned. Extra homework! And it's math! Kate wonders why kids these days hate math. Is it like every time someone mentions the word, their mind just freezes up and they answer very slowly in a dumb voice. It's quite weird. And since Kate's good at math, people go to her for advice on how to do multiplication, division, algebra; the usual. Of course she most happily will help but sometimes, she'll turn down the offer and take bids like for five bucks a lesson or something that will catch her attention like a movie or a concert ticket. She won't do it for free you know!
But instead of offers of money and glamour after class, Mr. Turner called her to stay in with him for a few more minutes.
"Kate, are you coming or not?" Matt called.
"I'll just be a second; Mr. Turner needs to speak with me." Kate replied.
"Okay." Matt said and rushed off to his Chemistry class.
Her mind wonders why Mr. Turner suddenly called her for a meeting after class. When she found out, her heart sank like a rock. It was about her weight problem.
"Listen Kate, you're a very bright person. I know it's hard for you but you should start to pay attention to what you're eating."
"What?" Kate replied back, astonished.
"I mean, you have to start thinking of yourself and your body. Maybe you should try the cross country team and sweat some off," He continued, not ever hearing her, "Here; I have some doctors' cards."
Mr. Turner shoved a bunch of cards in Kate's hands roughly.
"You should go to them for advice on how to lose weight. I know how you feel." He said gently.
Kate was stunned; her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. She tried to hide the tears but she couldn't. She turned away from her teacher and wiped away her tears. How could he, of all people, be not thinking about how I should react to this? Is he expecting me to be thrilled or something? Well, I'm not!
As Mr. Turner blabbed away, Kate left the classroom in a hurry. She scribbled a note and dropped it as she fled. Then she ran out the door of the school with tiny droplets streaming down her face.
He doesn't even know how I would feel about it? Does he always have answers for everything? Seeing doctors won't help me, they'll destroy me… Kate thought to herself, frustrated. She sighed and quickly turned a right to her house. Her shoes raced across the cement, guiding her to her destination. How was she going to explain this to the principle not to mention her mom?