Chapter 2: The Welcome Ceremony

145 1 0
                                    

The next morning, Sofia, Emily, and Alex found themselves in the large, bustling auditorium of Fatty Heights High. The room was packed with students, all murmuring with excitement and curiosity. The three girls took seats near the front, watching as a plump, confident woman made her way onto the stage.

Emily: "That’s the principal, Mrs. Galloway. She looks like she fits right in!"

Alex: "Yeah, I heard she’s been here since the school opened. Must be a pro at this whole… lifestyle."

Mrs. Galloway adjusted the microphone and smiled warmly at the sea of eager faces in front of her.

Mrs. Galloway: “Welcome, everyone, to Fatty Heights High! We’re delighted to have each and every one of you here. Now, as you may know, our school is a little… different.” She chuckled, a knowing look in her eyes.

Sofia: whispering to Alex “Understatement of the year.”

Mrs. Galloway: “Our goal is simple: to help you embrace a lifestyle of growth, both mentally and physically. Here, we believe in freedom from societal judgments. You’ll find this is a place of acceptance, friendship… and, of course, good food!”

The students cheered, some clapping excitedly. Mrs. Galloway held up her hands, signaling them to settle down.

Mrs. Galloway: “Now, to make it clear, our curriculum is unique. Unlike other schools, we do not encourage physical education or sports activities. Instead, our focus is on… let’s say, a different kind of growth.”

Emily: grinning at Sofia “Looks like P.E. just got a whole lot easier!”

Mrs. Galloway: “We’ll be tracking your progress throughout the year, with regular weigh-ins and body mass index measurements. Your growth and commitment will even influence your grades.”

Sofia felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The whole idea of gaining weight as part of her education was still surreal.

Alex: muttering “Well, guess that means we’re all going to be on the honor roll by the end of the year.”

Mrs. Galloway motioned for the students to line up along the side of the auditorium, where a row of scales was set up.

Mrs. Galloway: “All right, everyone! We’ll start with a weigh-in to get a baseline measurement. Don’t be shy; remember, we’re all here to support each other.”

The students began lining up, and Sofia found herself sandwiched between Emily and Alex, feeling her heart race a little.

Sofia: “So, uh… how much do you guys think you weigh?”

Emily: “Last I checked, I was around 190 pounds. I know, I know—I’ve got a head start!” She winked and nudged Sofia playfully.

Alex: “I think I’m somewhere near 200. I’m no lightweight, that’s for sure.” She smirked, crossing her arms with confidence.

Sofia chuckled nervously, feeling self-conscious as she stepped up onto the scale. The display blinked before settling on her weight: 115 pounds.

Emily: “Awww, you’re like a feather, Sofia! Just wait, by the end of the year, we’ll get you up to our level.”

Sofia: “I guess I’ve got some catching up to do!” She laughed, though part of her was genuinely curious to see how much she’d change.

After each student had been weighed, they returned to their seats, where teachers handed out small, white pills in tiny envelopes.

Mrs. Galloway: “Now, as some of you may be wondering, with a lifestyle change like this, health can be a concern. So, we’ve provided a little… assistance.”

She held up a pill in her hand.

Mrs. Galloway: “This pill will modify your body’s internal functions to prevent common issues associated with weight gain, such as high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and other conditions. While it won’t prevent every challenge—some immobility and physical discomforts are natural—it will allow you to embrace this experience without major health risks.”

The students exchanged glances, intrigued.

Sofia: holding up her pill “So this tiny thing will… make all the health issues go away?”

Emily: “Apparently. I mean, it’s Fatty Heights—of course they’d have this all figured out.”

Alex: “Not gonna lie, I was kind of worried about gaining too much, but this pill actually makes me feel better about it.”

Mrs. Galloway: “Now, don’t worry! There’s no pressure to change overnight. Our events throughout the year—like the Eating Contest, Cooking Contest, and Food Festival—are all designed to help you enjoy this process at your own pace. We’re a community here, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!”

The students erupted into applause, and Sofia felt a thrill of excitement bubbling up. She glanced at Emily and Alex, who both seemed equally enthusiastic.

Emily: “I can’t believe this is our school! It feels like a dream!”

Alex: “Yeah, it’s not every day you get to, you know… focus on getting bigger.”

Sofia smiled, popping her pill into her mouth and swallowing it with a swig of water. She looked at her roommates, feeling a sense of anticipation and curiosity.

Sofia: “Well, here’s to new beginnings… and a lot of new meals.”

Emily: “Cheers to that! Let’s make this the best year ever.”

fatty heights High Where stories live. Discover now