Shorts (Literally. Maybe Even Coming Off.)

Spring Break 4

Carlos had some work to catch up on after school, so when Saul's parents came to get him, he said he'd walk when he had finished. Saul didn't mention how he was feeling to his dad. The advice he usually received from that parent was along the lines of "man up" and "don't be such a pussy". He did not want to deal with that right now. Currently, it was more his self-esteem that was suffering, not his physical body. though his stomach continued to ache he had gotten used to it. When he arrived at his house he found a sleepy Max propped up at the kitchen table. Saul's mother was trying to get him to eat something.

"I don't understand it. Usually you love my snacks." Max pushed away the apple slices and celery. "I know you're sick but I'm sure this will help you feel better." Max shook his head and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

Saul's mom turned around as she noticed her son and husband entering. "Saul, baby. You like apples, right. Eat something to show how much you love me?"

"Mom, you know I love you. I'm just not hungry now. Sorry." He gave her a hug as she sighed in defeat and then tugged on Max's sleeve. "Come on. Let's go play Fortnight." Max groggily stood up and followed.

They began to play the game on the couch In front of the tv in the basement, and Max gradually regaining focus. At some points the game play would be heated as they got really into it. There were awkward quiet moments when their cramps made it hard to think. They each knew the other wasn't top notch but they were trying to hide it anyway.

Max had felt pretty normal just as he woke up but the medicine was slowly wearing off and the pain ramping up. Eventually he paused the game. "I need a glass of water. Want anything?"

"No thanks."

"Ok." Max climbed up the stairs and went into the bathroom. He knew his stomach was completely empty and he was hesitant to put anything into it. He sat down on the toilet to decide what he should do and suddenly realized he wouldn't be getting up for a while. Note to self, he thought. Next time you visit, bring scented candles as an apology gift.

Saul waited for five minutes. And then ten minutes. And then fifteen minutes. How long did it take to get a drink? Even if you were as slow an eater as Max, it shouldn't take this long. He could have brought it down here while they finished playing.

Saul texted Max. "Dude, did you get attacked by a ninja on your way to the sink?"

"Nah bro. Just got side tracked."

"With?"

"A post on my phone. Somebody sent me a pic. I'll be finished soon... I think."

Saul thought he understood now. Max thought that was a pretty smooth excuse.

Saul had been doing all right but now that Max was gone and he had less distractions, he could feel the pressure building in his belly. It was getting pretty intense. It was nice that his house had three bathrooms. There was one for each floor: basement, ground level, and second.

Saul stepped in to do his business and found it was going to take much longer than he had previously thought. He hoped Carlos didn't get here while he was occupied. He didn't want to be a bad host, even if he wasn't feeling well. His parents didn't know and he would try to keep the others from knowing as well.

He texted Max, "I think I found that pic. Bet I can last longer than you can." Hopefully that would throw him off the scent.

After twenty minutes of sitting there staring down at his phone and his lap, he could no longer ignore his Chubby looking gut. Anyone in his situation would feel disgusting just because of the shit purging going on inside them. But Saul couldn't help but feel fat. And generally, he was the handsome one, the one other people looked up to, the leader. Now he was denigrated to this low state. He felt awful and sick and he wasn't quite sure how it happened but he stuck his fingers down his throat and threw up in the trash. He did it again. And again. Until nothing could possibly be left inside. It actually eased the pain in his stomach but his belly was still emptying itself out the other end full force. His legs were numb and if he hadn't be concentrating very hard on not crying, or not crying audibly, he would have been bored.