The Meal Plan

Chapter 4

Copyright © Sharanya Mullassery 2012

All rights reserved

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For a moment there, I thought that Trina was playing a practical joke on me but her face said otherwise. It was hard to believe that my ex-boyfriend placed a metaphorical mirror between my legs for the whole world to see. I felt dirty and ashamed.

"I should have killed that bastard" A pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind. It was Louis. He gave me a small peck on my cheek.

"You have done enough damage already" Trina sent a death glare towards Louis.

"I am sorry, Neve. I should’ve ripped out his vocal chords instead of giving him a nose job. I never thought that he was such a bastard" Louis started apologizing.

"I know, Lou. I think I should go home now. I feel sick" I said with a small smile. I was too tired to deal with a dramatic afternoon filled with gossips.

"No, you shouldn't. Don't even think of skipping lunch and going home. You need to go into that cafeteria and face those jerks. Running away will only make things worse!" Louis forced.

"I don't think I can handle it, Lou" I whined.

"Yes, you can. You are a strong, intelligent and proud woman"

"I am?"

"YES! Now, chin up and walk ahead! Let's show them what you've got"

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The short walk to cafeteria took a long time. Most people gave me 'the stare', sniggered, whispered and pointed fingers at me while some looked at me with pitiful eyes. The bustling cafeteria became quite once I entered it. People expected some kind of drama to start anytime. I avoided eye contact with everyone. Trina and Louis tugged me to the food counter. I ignored all hushed whispers in the cafeteria. I filled my plate absentmindedly.

"OMG, I can't believe that she has her appetite even after a breakup. Can't she exercise or do something else instead of stuffing her food hole with junk? Look at her tray!" Mia shouted on top of her voice. It immediately got everybody's attention. I checked my plate automatically. It didn't have much food in it. Mia was trying to make a scene out of misery. I sighed. I was not in a mood to entertain her.

"I know. No wonder famine exists in third world countries" Those words came from a very familiar source. It was Sean. His table erupted with laughter while others watched us with interested eyes. I turned around slowly and prayed that my carefully composed face stayed the same way when I faced Sean. But what I saw took my breath away, literally. I stopped breathing. He had a black eye, a busted lip and a large plaster that looked like an ugly spider on his nose.

"I will-" Louis started walking towards Sean and I pulled him back.

“Sean, I would have punched you for such a cutting remark but unfortunately, I can’t find a spot on your already polished face. Louis has done a pretty good job!”  A few people chuckled. Aaron gave me a wide smile and thumbs up from across the cafeteria while Roxy smirked at Sean and Mia. However, the look on Sean’s face was priceless. He turned beet red.

"How does it feel having a cheeseburger down under, cutie pie?" Mia shouted in an attempt to save her boyfriend from humiliation.

"You guys tell me. Mia, how does it feel having a midget dick for a boyfriend?" I plastered a big smile on my face and sugar coated my voice to stop it from shaking. "And Sean, how does it feel having herpes infected girlfriend?"

“You-You" Sean stuttered while Mia stared at me dumbfounded.

"Sean, leave me alone. I don't give a flying fuck about you and Mia. But if you are planning to spread rumors about me around the school and humiliate me in any other way, I will make sure that the high school cheerleading squad will know exact dimensions of your dick. I assure you that will be the end of your popular existence. And you, Mia, Remember the Hispanic hottie you shagged a month back? His name is Hunter Ivanovetten. He is a herpes infected man-whore and got arrested for prostitution. It's all over the news, baby. Google it! Ta-Ta" I said in the bitchiest way possible. Sean's face was dark blue and Mia was as pale as a ghost. Mission accomplished.

I turned around to walk out with my head held high. Within a flash of one second, a plate full of spaghetti landed on my head.

“Eat that, you fat bitch!" It was Mia.

“DETENTION for you, Miss Mallon" Shouted Mrs.Norbury.

Although I was humiliated when Mia decided to bathe me in spaghetti, I couldn't help smiling widely when Mrs.Norbury announced detention on Mia. Her detentions were so long and boring that the idea of cleaning toilet with a toothbrush appeared tempting.

Mia groaned loudly.

“Please clean up, Miss Anderson" Mrs.Norbury gave me a nod and I rushed out. On my way out, I realized that someone looked happier than me. It was Roxy.

Why did she hate Mia? What was their deal?