Short Story Competition Entries

Perfectly Podgy

This is my entry to the "Cliché Crunching Contests" part "Chunky Dunking" by bethani- . I feel like this is an amazing prompt as it's all about body confidence and it moves away from the typical beauty standard here on Wattpad.
Special thanks to allyriadayne for making this amazing cover.
I hope you enjoy my entry ~ "Perfectly Podgy".

Word count: 1486

I left the village that I used to call home a little over two years ago. Many people in my shoes would say they missed it - the comforting closeness of the community, the way the old buildings looked when the sun shone. I'm sure I would have done, if I'd actually had any time to think about the place in which I grew up. The past two years have been packed full of events to organize and authors to sign, books to publish and people to employ. I've definitely been kept busy, but with the weekend off, I thought it was about time to pay my old home a visit.

Some girls like me, but with less confidence, might feel nervous to go back. Girls who worry that "beauty is one size" and that they're just not that size. They'd worry about what people would think, that they left two years ago and haven't changed a bit. Not me. I look forward to going back. I've always taken everything in my stride. When I hit puberty, I gained a lot of weight. My hips grew outwards, my ass doubled and my boobs went from As to DDs in a matter of weeks. My stomach had never been flat, but as my "curves" were emphasized, the rest of my body grew to balance me out.

I'm fat, and I'm flawless. When I gained weight, I made sure that I rocked my new body. I bought some gorgeous new outfits that showed off all of my assets and many that complimented my bright red hair. Contrary to popular thoughts, I was never bullied. No one cared that I gained weight, no boys refused to date me, no girls made sly digs at me. In fact, many girls complimented my curves and my boobs, and guys were still lining up to date me. I have always been described as "alluring" and I often capture people's attraction and attention.

I was fat, but everything was proportional. My boobs were big, my ass was round and plump, my stomach was well-padded and my thighs spread out in skin puddles whenever I sat down. My cheeks were chubby and my lips were plump, and nothing has changed about me at all. I'm overjoyed with how I look, because I know I look good no matter what. My long, crimson hair was the envy of many girls in my school, and even now, whilst I'm at work, I receive many compliments about it.

My green eyes stand out, captivating the attention of nature-lovers. They're the shade of green that tells you it is spring. The green that crops up as plants begin to grow and trees become full. They glisten as though they have been topped with morning dew on grass when I am happy. People often tell me that I am beautiful, and I graciously accept because I know that I am, and I am proud of how I look.

I've decided to drive home. It's a five hour drive, and it would be much easier to take the train but I love driving. Putting on a playlist, hooking it up to my car and simply driving gives me a feeling of comfort and slight euphoria. It allows me time to either think, or just to let go of all of my thoughts. Today I've let go of all of my thoughts. Wiped everything from my focus but the road and the music playing through my speakers.

I call my mum when I'm half an hour away from the village to let her know where I am. It's not the first time I've seen my parents since I left. Whilst I've never been back here, my parents made sure to visit me at least five times a year, as they knew I was kept busy at work and hated leaving the city for too long. They're super supportive of me in my job, and they're so proud that I'm successful in something I love doing. I have no idea what my village is going to be like when I get there. I assume it's the same as it always was- quaint, homely and comfortable. It never was the type of village to change, however it could be that I simply never noticed when it did.

Soon enough, I'm driving my car into my old street and pulling into the drive of my childhood home. I turn the engine off, get out of my car with my handbag and pull my case out of the boot. I take a deep breath as I walk to the front door and I ring the bell. Within seconds, the door has been flung open, my mum is standing in the hallway, and my young cousin comes flying towards me.
"Lydia!!!! Lydia, I've missed you so much! Lydia, you'll have to sit with me, I have so much to tell you!!" Haley gives me a tight hug whilst I laugh, and clings onto my arm, pulling me towards the living room as my mum takes my case and puts it to the side.

"Haley, I've missed you so much too! You're so tall now, I can't believe it." I say to the 10 year old as we sit on the sofa with the rest of my family. I just have the chance to say hello to everyone before Haley starts catching me up on her life, even telling me about her boyfriends and ex-boyfriends at her primary school. Mum dishes out some curry for everyone. Just as I thought Haley was finished talking, her mother Amy tells me she's started to write.
"Haley adores you, and she knows how much you enjoy writing. She started a few months back and she loves it." She tells me.
"She won't stop talking about becoming an author, and she's always telling us how one day, she'll be working with you." Her mum, my aunt Helen, adds.

"Well, I'm sure she's excellent, and I'd love to read some of her work sometime." I tell them all. As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Haley begins to talk about all of the different stories she's written, and I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

As soon as everyone leaves, my mum tells me to get some sleep. I head upstairs to my old bedroom, change into my pjs, take my makeup off and fall asleep within minutes.

The next day, I wake up and shuffle downstairs to the kitchen where my mum is having a cup of coffee and making some breakfast. I pour myself a cup and sit down at the table, resting my head on my folded arms.
"I didn't realise until last night how much I've missed this place and everyone here. It's home, and I think I forgot that, what with my busy work schedule and all the hustle and bustle of the city. I miss it here." I say softly, and I swear I see a smile cross my mum's face.

"What are your plans for today? Peter from next door has been staying with his parents this past month, and I told him you were coming back for the weekend. He said he'd love to catch up if you wanted to?" She tells me.
"Definitely if that's alright with you? I've missed him, and I'd love to see him." Peter was one of my closest friends growing up. At one stage we were dating, and it was great, but we had to end it when I moved away, and we lost contact with each other.
"Great, well, I'll ring next door and let him know, and you can go get ready." She gives me a smile, hands me some toast and I head back to my room with my coffee.

I get showered and changed into a simple summer dress and my sandals. I let my red hair fall in waves and I grab a small bag just as the front door bell rings. I make my way back downstairs and see Peter standing in the hallway.
"Lydia! Hi, it's great to see you again." He tells me with his trademark ravishing smile.
"Hey Peter, you too, you look amazing." I reply, returning the grin. He truly does. He's always been attractive, but today he looks happier and healthier than I've ever seen him before.
"Thank you, shall we go? I was thinking we could go to the beach?"
"Sounds great. I'll see you later mum." I tell her, giving her a quick hug and walking out of the door with Peter.

"You already know this, but you look gorgeous." He whispers into my ear, his hand resting at the bottom of my back. A small shiver passes through me and I can't help but smile.
"Thank you so much. I feel like today is going to be great."