Fat.

Chapter 12 - Ex.L, Tears, and Chicken-Noodle Hospital Soup

After an entire three classes with Mikey and I discussing my article block, I have created the alias "Ex. L" (for size extra large) instead of my actual name. I am quite proud of my new pen-name anyway. I felt pride after I came up with it.

At lunch, I see Vic sitting at a circular table in the cafeteria, holding hands with Mikey. He said something with a smile and sent Vic into a fit of laughter. The sight makes me twinge an awkward smile. I've accepted the two of them being together. Seeing them at the beginning of their relationship looked all wrong, but as I do with most things, I've learned to ignore it.

Knowing they'd keep a seat for me, I went to the shop of the cafeteria with a tray. This was the hard part. Since I felt I was too untrustworthy to pack a lunch from home, I decided that I'd be better off buying a school-lunch.

I lined up in queue with a blue tray and waited behind a group of freshman guys. As I examined the foods, my stomach churned. There was cheesy lasagna, spaghetti, pizza. As sides, there were french-fries, garlic bread slices and baguette. In the corner of the glass counter was a sad looking bowl of limp, bare salad.

The cafeteria was bustling with normal, average-sized American teenagers. Looking over my shoulder, people were digging into their food. People opening wrappers, clinking forks, chatting normally. I knew that most people in this room weren't in immediate need of a weight loss. But I'm not most people.

"Next," The lunch-lady says in monotone. I look at the tragic, plain salad. "Salad," I say, mimicking her tone. She takes tongs and sloppily empties the lot into a styrofoam tray. She pushes it haphazardly onto the counter. "One ninety-nine," she sighs. Before pulling out my money, I look at the food, then at her. "Is there any dressing?" I ask. She gives a smug look. "Nope," I give the money, and then take back the change as she hands it to me. "Have a nice day, I grumble while I place my fork and salad on the tray.

I walk passed rows of tables before stopping at my regular circle-shaped one. I take a seat beside Vic, and see Max and his girlfriend. "So then I said 'Why the fuck would you even need a protractor..!'," Max finishes his story, which I missed out on. The three of them laugh. Vic looks at me and smiles, "Hey Aimee." I give a small smile back, and stare at my salad. "Anyone got spare dressing on them?" I ask hopelessly. "Of course, Aimes." My twin responds sarcastically. I sigh.

Mikey glances at me quickly and I am reminded of how I really don't want him to tell anyone about my column for the paper. I shoot him a pleading look from across the table. His eyebrows furrow and he shakes his head, "No" it signifies. I let out a breath.

"Salad, huh." Vic says, neither question nor statement. Not wanting any attention, I nod. "Yup," I say back, not knowing what else to say. The table is then veiled by an awkward silence.

Max coughs, trying to start something. "So, who exactly is James?" I squint at him. How does he know about him? "I dunno," I bluff. "You tell me." I try to maintain a straight face. Max just shrugs and pulls out his phone. "Well," He types in his password. "I keep hearing this moaning noise coming from your room. Care to explain?"

Mikey tries to hide a smile with his hands and is obviously failing. Max doesn't notice. His girlfriend and Vic look amused, so I am left with everyone looking at me.

"I don't know any James. Maybe the noise is coming from a different room," I say, realizing how horrible that sounded. "However, I was listening to the radio the other night." I lied, covering my tracks with a half-assed lie.

As I begin to notice how hard it is to supress my smiling, I see Mikey is beginning to struggle with restraining his laughter.

Max gives a puzzled look. "I don't know which station you listen to, but this voice was muffled into something and kept repeating 'James, James, James' very late at night." Max finishes. Mikey manages to suddenly snort. I laugh and then everyone is giggling.