Masqueraded Identities

Chapter Six

It was Wednesday when Ryan decided to message me on Facebook. By that point, I had calmed down from our encounter about Mark. However, that still didn't mean I wanted to be all buddy buddy with him.

RYAN: Hey, Rory. Want to go for a walk?

ME: Me?

RYAN: I mean, yeah. That's kind of why I messaged you and directly said hi RORY.

I rolled my eyes. Even through the Internet his sass was still as fierce as ever.

ME: Excuse you I don't need your attitude. But fine. Sounds good. It's a nice night.

RYAN: Everyone needs my attitude. I'll swing by your dorm in five?

ME: Alright.

I logged off and quick put on a new layer of deodorant. Even though that was my third time putting some on, I still had this constant worry that I had BO but everyone was too nice to tell me. I moved from my deodorant to my backpack.

I was trying to dig a book out of my backpack when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I called, now wrestling the book from my backpack by doing a very awkward thrust-pull dance thing.

Ryan walked in, took one look at my awkward gig, and started laughing.

"What the hell are you doing, Rory?!" he exclaimed after he had finally calmed down and after I had finally conquered the black hole that was my backpack.

"Trying to get my book?" I replied, throwing it on my bed.

He smiled. "You're one interesting gal."

"So I've been told."

We walked out of my dorm and shut the door behind us as Ryan asked, "What else have you been told about yourself?"

"I'm fat, loud, outgoing, confident, have great hair, and apparently I'm very awkward."

"People seriously call you fat?" he asked in disbelief as he slid down the stairway railing.

"Well, I mean, yeah."

"What assholes. God, I hate people. I dated a girl that was a size twenty-four. One of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. I don't mean this meanly at all, hear me out, but she is more likely to be considered fat. I never thought so, but by everyone else's standards. I would consider you more of a curvy goddess if anything."

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "Twenty-four, huh? Interesting."

"What?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"Tell me."

"I'm going to sound like an asshole."

"Oh please, everyone needs an asshole in their lives. Literally and physically."

I found myself snorting as I tried to keep my laughter in. "I just... Okay, most guys who look like you hate girls that look like me. We're just not attractive to most."

He shrugged. "I know you think I'm shallow, but I personally think anyone can be beautiful. Size doesn't matter. Don't get me wrong, health is important. Don't sit on your couch eating all day. But why should I care if someone has a few extra pounds?"

My eyes widened in embarrassment and I averted my gaze. "Sorry. I'm just u-

"I get it. Sure, big tits and fat ass. Great. However, I try to see the best in everyone. Body isn't everything. I don't just wake and say I'm going to be a sex-obsessed douche."