Bikini Body

Chapter four:

I let out another sob as I took another bite out of my chocolate bar.

Here's how it all went down: Ms. Pierce helped me up from my split position and wrapped her jacket around my waist. Then she phoned the nurse and told her about my split. With that, I was sent to the nurse. The nurse, Mrs. Ramirez, greeted me with a smile once I entered her office. I told her that she could drop the act and she led me to a room with a cot. Lauren came by with my backpack, binder, and clothes a few minutes later. I told her thank you. She said, "You're welcome," and left without another word.

Mrs. Ramirez came in with and ice pack. "Are you alright, dear? Your legs still hurt?"

I sniffed and nodded. She handed me the ice pack and a tissue.

"Thank you," I breathed as I used the tissue to wipe my eyes. "I'm sorry I was so rude a little while ago."

Mrs. Ramirez smiled. She is very pretty with thick dark hair and blue eyes. I couldn't tell if she was wearing make-up or not... that's how pretty Mrs. Ramirez is.

"I understand, dear. No hard feelings." She pulled up a chair to my cot and sat down. "Do you think you'll be able to go back to your class after?"

"Oh, no," I told her, throwing the wrapper from my chocolate bar away to the trash next to my cot. "I'm not going back out there. I may as well never show my face to this school ever again!" I'm in tears again. Mrs. Ramirez wraps her arms around me. I hugged her back. At this point, I just needed comfort.

"Why?" she asks when I finished crying and let go. Her voice was smooth. "Why will you never show your face to school again, Abby?"

"Because everyone will be laughing at me. By now, probably the whole school knows." I pulled out another chocolate bar from my backpack.

"How many of those do you have in there?" asked Mrs. Ramirez.

"I just ate one, so... about five, I guess. D-do you want one?"

"Thank you, honey." I gave her the chocolate bar.

She looked at it, smiled, and said, "This is my favorite chocolate bar. I haven't eaten one of these in ages."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. So, thank you once again. This'll be my dessert after lunch." Mrs. Ramirez put the candy on her pocket. "What do you normally eat for lunch, Abby?"

"Anything. I'm not a picky eater."

"My son should learn from you. He almost never eats what I put in front of him."

I chuckled, remembering Zarah. She was a very picky eater.

"You know," Mrs. Ramirez said, "it's hard. Especially in high school. I remember. But from twenty years from now, it's not going to matter anymore. You go to college, get a job, and move on with life."

"I still have no idea what I want to do," I said.

"You still have some time. It all depends on what you do now. You have a choice: Go out there and don't care or stay in here, hiding, and missing out on everything."

"Or... I can stay here, hide, and people won't laugh at me."

"Hiding never solved anything. All you have to do is walk out with your head held high and that's it."

I scoffed. "Easy for you to say! You're pretty! Me on the other hand, I'm a fat, ugly--"

"Never say that about yourself!" Mrs. Ramirez interrupted, her voice almost to yelling. "You're a beautiful girl!"

"'Beautiful'? Look at me! I have zits all over my face!"

"Have you tried creams or wipes?"

"They never work."

"Try this: When you go home, wash your face like you normally would, get a Q-tip, put a little rubbing alcohol on it, put it on your face, and then after you do all that, put some Aloe Vera. It'll get the pimples away in no time."

"Really? Is that all?"

She nodded. "Of course!"

"And about my fat?" I stood up and turned to side. "What am I suppose to do about that?"

"Eat healthy and exercise. But don't over do it," she warned, "it takes time and dedication."

"So, no more candy bars, right?"

"Once in a while is fine."

I opened my mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a boy walking in. It was Luke! He was covering his right eye. My first thoughts went to Lauren. Dodge ball was her favorite sport and she tended to get a little... rough, if you will. Mrs. Ramirez excused herself and pulled the blue curtain, dividing the room.

"What happened?" I heard Mrs. Ramirez ask.

"My eye-- I got hit by a dodge ball," Luke said.

"A hard dodge ball?"

"Yes."

"Let me get you some ice. I'll be right back." Mrs. Ramires's footsteps disappeared from the room. It became very quiet. Luke and I both knew that we were present. But we didn't know what to say. Maybe it was time to try to strike up a conversation. Perhaps Like is different from the other narrow-minded bullies.

Hopefully.

"Who hit you with the dodge ball?" I asked out loud, although I already knew who was to blame.

"Your friend," Luke replied. "Ms. Pierce said that we'd play dodgeball. She got crazy."

I chuckled. "Lauren can be rough."

"I've noticed. What's your name again?"

"Abby."

"Luke-- you already know that."

Silence. It was really awkward. Finally Luke says, "I'm sorry about what happened. You know..."

"I know. It's fine." I sighed. "So, where'd you move from?" I wanted to change the subject.

"Portland."

It got quiet. I knew that this conversation wasn't going to last long. Luke seemed like a nice guy, I'll be honest. I think he thinks I'm nice too, but we're not in the friend zone just yet. I think it's same thing with him and Lauren considering she hit him with a dodgeball. Mrs. Ramirez walked in with an ice back. She opened the curtain briefly to enter in Luke's side.

"Better?" she asked.

"Yeah. Thanks," Luke said.

Mrs. Ramirez poked her head to my side. "You alright, dear?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'm ready to go to class, Mrs. Ramirez."

She smiled. "Good!" Then she turned to Luke. "You will have to stay a bit, I'm afraid."