"All right everyone, come and get it!" Riley called as he paid the pizza delivery boy. The Love Crew scrambled into the living room, anxious for some hot fresh pizza. Soon, Riley was serving the heavenly slices onto paper plates.

Marcie picked up the slice of pizza, the aroma filling her senses. The slice was just inches from her mouth...

"Go on Piggy and eat it!"

She looked over to find Nick smirking at her. "Better yet, while you're at it, why don't you put your plate on the floor and use it as a trough?"

"Damn it, Nick! Leave her alone!" Riley yelled.

"Marcie don't listen to him, okay?" Jen said, glaring at Nick.

"Nick's a jerk." Riley added.

Trembling, tears streamed down Marcie's eyes and suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore. "I-I need to go." As fast as she could, she bounded up the stairs.

"Marcie! You haven't even touched your dinner." Jen called to her.
"I-I'm not really that hungry after all. Can you imagine that? Me, not hungry?" Marcie said, her voice quivering.

Riley and Jen watched helplessly as Marcie raced up the stairs and slammed her door.

(Much later that night)

Marcie lay in bed, feeling faint with hunger. She sniffled and rubbed her red, puffy eyes. The picture of Michael sat on her dresser, his handsome face smiling at her. Marcie's fingers touched the smooth frame and she brought it to her lips, imagining he was there with her.

All of a sudden her dizziness returned and she knew she'd better eat something. She pulled on her robe and crept downstairs, grateful that everyone else was asleep. Silently she padded into the darkened kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. The pizza box was still there, beckoning her to consume its contents. Within seconds she was holding a piece of cold pizza just inches from her mouth.

"Eating again?"
The voice startled her and the slice of pizza fell from her hand.

"Aww... looks like the fat girl is going to go hungry tonight."

Marcie turned to find Nick standing in the doorway, grinning at her.

"Go away, Nick."

Nick scoffed. "What a loser you are. What guy would ever want to be with you? Oh wait. I know. McBain, right? Shannon's brother. Wow, he must be a real nut case to hang around with you."

"Go to Hell, Nick!" Marcie said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. Angry tears slid down her cheeks as she suppressed a sob.

"What's wrong, Fatso? You gonna cry?" Nick whined. "I'm sorry. I don't associate with fat girls!"

She could hear him laughing as he walked out of the kitchen.

When he was gone, she shoved the pizza box back into the fridge and slammed the door. Damn that Nick.

She crept up the stairs and entered her room, grateful to be alone. Silently she closed the door and locked it, seconds before her emotions sent her sobbing into her pillow. She was glad that Shannon was gone for the night because she didn't need anyone right now.

Well, that wasn't quite right. She needed Michael, desperately.