Skinny • Book 1 In The Reality Series

Calum

Sitting across the small table from Katy I watched as she stared out the large window, resting her forehead on the cool glass. The sun was just beginning to set, staining the sky a vibrant mix of pinks and purples which looked like they were plucked from the pastel tubes in Miss Kits art room.

Keeping my eyes on her I tentatively stretched my leg out, bumping my foot against hers, reassuring myself she was still there. It didn’t feel real that just a short time before her existence had been teetering on the edge precariously. I’d never given death much thought before the car accident, but now it seemed to be looming everywhere, beckoning enticingly to everyone around me.

“Oh my gosh that took forever the guy behind the counter was such a flirt! Like I know I’m cute but damn boy!”

Startled, I tore my gaze from Katy and watched as Gracie plunked a tray down in the center of the table before plopping down beside me. Carrying an armful of paper cups Sierra slid into the booth beside Katy.

“I got French fries.” Gracie rambled, tearing open a ketchup packet with her teeth and squirting it out onto the tray, “Because I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t like French fries, unless they’re on a diet. Which I am but I think my period is coming because if you offered me fried flesh I’d probably eat it.”

Wordlessly, Sierra slid a cup infront of Katy then pushed one towards me.

“I like the floppy ones best.” Gracie carried on with her mouthful, “What about you guys?”

“Floppy.” Sierra said quietly, taking a fry and taking a mouse like nibble.

“Calum?” Gracie asked.

“What?” I questioned, my eyes once again resting on Katy, my subconscious half expecting her to use her sweatshirt to hang herself.

“Are you going to eat anything?” Gracie questioned.

Glancing down at the greasy pile of fat I made a face before shaking my head.

“Cal.” Gracie groaned, “You’re not going to get better if you don’t try.”

Feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment I frowned, “Who said I want to get better?”

“Don’t you?” Sierra questioned.

Still staring at the fries I shrugged.

“Calum.” Gracie sighed, “As your girlfriend....”

I rolled my eyes.

“…I can’t just sit by and watch you wither away to nothing.”

“I’m not.”

“Your hair is going to fall out.”

“No it’s not.”

Reaching out, Gracie grabbed several strands of my hair and without any warning ripped them out.

“OW!” I shouted, swatting her hand away, “Are you crazy?”

Twirling my hair between her fingertips and examining it carefully she shrugged, “I don’t know. You see if I thought I was, I more than likely wouldn’t be, but I don’t think I am, which means the probability is that that I’m absolutely off my rocker. So I’m going to say yes, which would imply that I think that I am crazy, so probably not no.”

“What?” I demanded.

“You’re like, really smart.” Sierra spoke up.

“No I’ve got straight Ds.” Gracie laughed, “And I’m not just talking about these.”

Poking her own breasts she raised and lowered her eyebrows pervertedly.

“Excuse me.”

Startled by the sound of katy’s voice my head snapped in her direction. My eyes widening as I watched her start to slid out of the booth.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“Home.” She replied, standing up, “Um…thank you…for…you know what you did but um…I’m gonna go.”

“You can’t!” I cried, rising to my feet, trapped in the corner of the booth by Gracie who was watching me with a fry filled mouth.

“I have to go home.” Katy mumbled edging away slowly.

“Are you going to try that again?”

Wincing at my question Katy looked down while Sierra and Gracie looked between us with anticipation, waiting for her answer.

“You can’t try that again.” I said lamely.

“She won’t.” Gracie said suddenly.

“How do you know?” Seirra questioned.

“Because we’re going to make sure.” Gracie replied, shoveling a fistful of fries into her mouth before rising to her feet, “Calum grab a fry.”

“I don’t want a fry.” I muttered.

“Calum.” She sighed, “Grab a fry.”

“No thank you.”

"So help me God I will force you."

"No you won't."

Giving me a look of annoyance, she leaned over the table and grabbing a fry flicked my nose, causing my mouth to open in an involuntary cry of pain before she shoved the French fry in my mouth.

Immediately the salty, greasy taste of potato washed over my tongue. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten a fry however the taste was so familiar, it was like riding a bike, once you tried it you never really forgot it.

Realizing after several seconds that I was chewing I moved the chewed up wad towards the front of my mouth to spit it out, but to my dismay, Gracie covered my mouth with her hand.

“Chew and swallow.” She ordered.

A silent eye battle (which I lost) then insured, before I finally gave in and swallowed the fry.

“Thank you.” Gracie said pleasantly moving her hand, “Now, to the car we go.”

“I really have to go.” Katy protested.

Ignoring her, Gracie linked her arm around Katy’s, “You’re coming with us kid.”

“Where are we going?” Sierra questioned, “My curfew is ten.”

“Well then we have to get a move on!” Gracie cried starting for the door.

“Where are we going exactly?” Katy asked.

“To show you what you almost tossed away.” Gracie answered, “How to live a little.”