Foodie| discontinued

iii. Lexx

|Three: Write a chapter in which a character feels uncomfortable in an article of clothing.|

            iii. Lexx

I sat on the wooden bench in between lockers, staring into my little silver lock as if it would open by imagining my combination in my head. The locker room was half empty now since I’ve been frozen on the bench for the past 15 minutes. P.E would already be in session, docking me points for tardiness and earning an extra three laps.

There were a few girls lagging in the room, taking their time to change into their sweatpants and t-shirt while putting their hair in stylish ponytails; which hardly was ever noticeable by the boys they were trying to look good for.

I watched the last few girls pass by me, looking down at my head with glares and scrunched stuck up noses before standing up with a stretch. My cheek met the cool metal as I leaned against the lockers, my fingers fumbling with the dial as I spun my combination. Once I heard the clink of my lock opening, I flung the door open and pulled out my clothes, throwing them down on the bench while undressing at the same time.

At Rochester High, the smallest size in clothing for sports and physical education was extra-larger. Small, medium, and large, size clothing was never an option since majority of students (town too) were various sizes over; except for me. I was one of the few in my school who wore a size medium in both t-shirts and bottoms’; which was extremely difficult considering everything, including P.E garments fit me like a trash bag.

Not being able to fit into clothing like those around me was normal, something I had grown used to over the years. Still, being thin and too small for clothing was an insecurity that followed me every single day, especially classes that required changing in public.

I sat down on the bench, putting one leg at a time into each sweat pant; followed by my P.E t-shirt and sweatshirt. People at school knew of my thin bones, it wasn’t something you could glance by and not notice. However, if by layering clothes added a few extra pounds on my skin, I have no complaints. Biting my lips, I stuffed my excess clothes into my locker before slamming the door and looking at the clock. 25 minutes late. “Lucky me,” I mumbled exciting the locker room with a slow jog.

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“You’re late Lexx,” Mr. Shell mumbled with his hands on his hips, watching people run the track. I shuffled in place, looking down at my feet, “I know.” He sighed staring at his stopwatch then down to me. “You’re down 20 minutes,” he said gesturing towards those running, “2 miles today and extra half for you to make up for missed stretches.” I scrunched my nose and groaned internally at his punishment. “Better than docked points?” he added with narrow eyes. I nodded walking over to the dirt track. “Start running!” he yelled.

“Start running!” I mimicked, voicing to myself with laughter following. My legs peddled slowly, my sneakers tapping against the gravel underneath me. Two and a half miles, not so bad. I thought to myself. Run a few laps, the long distances and the short widths walk. Good plan. Good plan.

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Fifteen minutes had gone by and half the people in my class were already finished with their two mile run. Letting my legs ease down from running, I came to a stop and huddled down over, resting my hands on my knees. I breathed in and out heavily gasping for air, feeling my stomach clutch.

“I’m sure if you wore less clothing you wouldn’t run out of breath running,” a deep voice came up behind me. My brow furrowed once I caught my breath, noticing the person who was speaking was standing behind me as my gaze was upon their shoes. Standing up straight, I stretched my back and bent my knees up into butt kickers. “And don’t use the ‘I’m out of shape’ excuse for being out of breath,” he said with narrowed eyes, “it’s clear you’re not out of shape.” My face scrunched up in anger while I was taken back from his statement. “Thanks for the obvious,” I mumbled and began to jog in attempt to get away from him.

“Wait up!” he yelled. As I jogged I could hear the gravel behind me ruffling underneath someone’s shoe, which obviously belonged to him. I kept my gaze forward on the track in front of me, paying no attention to the fact he was now running beside me. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he mumbled, “I was just saying.” I nodded, “alright.” “Lexx,” he said as I picked up my pace.

Slowing down to a walk I sighed, “yes Trevor?” Trevor sprinted for where he was behind me to the spot next to me. “I’m sorry.” I sighed swinging my arms around me to stretch them out. “It’s fine,” I said forcing a small smile upon my lips, “don’t worry.”

Trevor nodded in reply while staring at my body up and down. Feeling nervous and insecure by his gaze I crossed my arms over my chest, hugging my body. “Don’t” he rushed grabbing my arm. I jumped at his touch, staring down at his hand gripping my arm. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just-” he paused. I stopped walking and stared up at him with curiosity.

“Aren’t you hot all the time?” he asked quietly. “Hot?” I questioned, not understanding the meaning behind his question. Trevor sighed and rubbed his chin as if he was debating whether or not he should further explain his question and meaning behind it. Nodding at himself he smiled softly and mumbled, “aren’t you hot?” His gaze traveled from my face down my body to my toes, then back up to my eyes, “you always layer your clothes.”

I sighed heavily and pulled his hand off my arm as I began to continue my walk. “Mr. Shell is going to be mad if I don’t run,” I said. Trevor groaned and sped walk to keep up with me, “Lexx.”

“I’d rather be hot and layered in clothing than uncomfortable for not being near the same size as everyone else,” I snapped staring back at Trevor. “Lexx-” he began with wide eyes; but I instantly interrupted him. “Don’t worry about it,” I said beginning to run, “I’d hurry up and run, don’t want Mr. Shell to piss at you too.”  

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uggggh, i'm still debating whether i'm satisfied with the chapter or not. alskdj