Kate and Jenny

Part 19

Jenny

My stomach let out a loud rumble. I deeply regretted the decision to only have light breakfast and now I was starving. It made sense in my head to eat only little in the morning, leaving me with more space for the huge amount of pizza that was going to challenge my eating abilities. I did however underestimate the hunger that plagued me and which I had to overcome for the long hours that were to come before I could satisfy it.

Angie went to the gym saying she had to work off my mum's cooking and I had two choices. Either I could join her in the gym or I could go to Dana's. Naturally I opted for the latter.

It probably wasn't the best idea of my life to go into the bakery when I felt like I could eat a horse, but I needed to talk with Dana. After all I was supposed to start working there tomorrow and I didn't know when I should turn up. It'll be a test of will, but I have to resist buying anything.

On my way to Dana's, my middle kept groaning in displeasure so often and so loudly, it made a few people turn they heads to inspect the source of the sound. I grazed my hand upon my belly, marveling once more at how much softer it was getting to the touch. Sh sh sh, it won't be long. Just a couple hours and I'll feed you beyond your wildest dreams.

The strength of my will wasn't my biggest quality these days. I realized that when I was munching on the second cinnamon roll since arriving in my soon to be workplace. I fell completely in love with those things and I simply wasn't able to say no.

"All right, see you tomorrow at nine. Bye."

When Angie and I arrived to the pizza place I quickly made my way to the first employee of the restaurant I saw.

"Uhm, hi. I'd like to try the pizza eating challenge."

The waitress, a woman in her mid-twenties, looked me up and down doubtfully, obviously disregarding my chances to succeed. She smiled to herself before leading me to a table. The table was large and round with a single chair to it. The realization came to me it was especially made for the pizza that I was about to try to eat and I became uncertain. Can I really eat this much?

I plopped my ever-growing posterior down on the chair, only too aware of the way it overflowed the seat in every possible direction.

Angie sat down to a small table right next to mine and ordered a salad for herself. The waitress left to place our orders.

"How are you feeling?"

"Hungry..." Two large cinnamon rolls weren't nearly enough to satisfy me these days. "A bit scared but really, really hungry." My stomach let out growl, like if it was trying to emphasize my words.

Angie pointed to the wall. "Look at all those people!"

On the wall there were pictures of many different people taking on the challenge. There were the before pictures, people all smiley and confident. There were also the after pictures showing the same people in various stages of discomfort. After they failed the challenge. Above the pictures there was a big sign 'Losers'. Right next to it was a sign saying 'Winners', but there was just a large empty space beneath it. I was going to change that. I was looking forward to see my picture hanging there for many years to come. The pictures were probably there to make me afraid. Afraid of the humiliation when my picture would appear up there on the loser's side, to strip me of any self-confidence I had, but it only made me crave the victory more. Suddenly there were no doubts in my mind. I was going to win.

"You have ninety minutes to finish. If you leave the table before finishing, you're disqualified. So if you need to go to the restroom do it now. If you throw up, you're disqualified. Do you understand the rules?"