How to Help Howell?

Part 2

Dan's POV

I came out of my room a couple minutes later in a black t-shirt and skinny jeans with a sweatshirt over it.

"Dan, it's nice weather today, you don't need a sweatshirt."

This way I might sweat off a couple pounds if I'm lucky. I thought to myself.

"I'll be fine, I'm pretty cold, actually," I lied. I was kinda warm but needed to do this in hope of losing some weight.

We headed into the city with Phil's list of everything under the sun to buy. We walked into the food shop and I was immediately tempted by all the bagged snacks and baked goods but needed to restrain myself.

"Look, Dan, the Family size pack of Maltezers are on sale! Let's get them!" I took the pack and looked at the nutrition facts in the back and decided I couldn't risk the extra calories and carbs.

"You can get them if you like, but I don't think I'll eat any," I replied. Phil squinted at me and studied my face. He put a hand on my forehead and I flinched at the touch, but didn't object. His normal-temperature hands felt nice on my warm forehead (from the sweatshirt).

"Are you feeling ill?" Phil asked me with worry in his eyes. I grabbed his hand off my forehead and held it in my two warm hands.

"No, Phil, I'm fine," I let go of his hand and smiled at him, leading him into the produce section. Butterflies still in my stomach from holding his hand in mine, I picked up a bunch of fruits and veggies to snack on during the week.

Surely I'll lose weight if I eat all these healthy foods? I thought to myself again. A voice inside my head told me it was still going to get me fatter, and I was better off not eating at all. I didn't put them back, just in case I have in and needed something to keep me alive.

We passed a section of the store with protein powder, so I picked up a bottle or two of that as well. Phil eyed me skeptically, but I stand by my decision. The smell of all the food in the store made my stomach growl. I hadn't eaten much of a dinner last night either. I noticed the pain in my stomach and smiled.

Hungry equals weight loss.

The voice whispered in my head. We headed home with all the groceries and I helped Phil unpack everything.

"Well, what do you want to do now?" Phil asked me excitedly.
"We could play video games, or maybe revisit Dil, I don't think we've seen him in a while..."

Dan looked at the excitement on his friend's face. His smile almost made him agree. Video games did sound nice...

You think you're going to get any more fit by sitting around playing video games? Would you do something with your life, you pathetic whale?

The voice came back.

"Uh, actually Phil, I think I'm going for a jog, is that alright? You can come with me if you want, but I don't think you'd want to..." I responded feeling guilty as the excitement left Phil's face.

"No, that's alright, maybe I'll just call up PJ or Chris and ask them if they want to hang out..." Phil mumbled.

"Great, I'll see you in a bit!" I grabbed a water bottle from the new package we just bought and headed out the door.

Why am I doing this? I hate physical activity I'd much rather play video games with Phil.

Because you need the exercise, you lump of fat. Now move!

The voice yelled back. I started jogging down to a local park I knew of. After a few minutes of jogging, I was already getting tired.

You worthless dirt, a worm can move faster than you!

I picked up the pace and jogged a little faster. By the time I made it to the park I was dying and needed a break. I ran about 10 times around the park with the, we'll call it "motivating" voice yelling at me to move it or waste my life as a forever useless whale.

After the excruciating workout, the only think keeping me from passing out was the thought of getting to see Phil when I got home.