The Popular Girl Mocked My Weight, Until I Became a Total Knockout Chapter 02

The Popular Girl Mocked My Weight, Until I Became a Total Knockout Chapter 02

For a good fifteen seconds, the room was frozen in stunned silence.

People exchanged awkward glances.

Then someone snorted. “Relax, Derek. We were just kidding.”

They said it was a joke, but their faces said otherwise; they’d gotten exactly the reaction they wanted.

“Right. I mean, look at him, tall, handsome, smart. He could get any girl he wants. Why would he settle for Emma?”

Another classmate put a hand on my shoulder in mock sympathy. “Don’t take it to heart, Emma. Plenty of fish in the sea.”

Brittany, hiding her satisfaction behind a thin veil of concern, scolded Derek half-heartedly, then pushed the rib plate toward me. “Forget about all that, Emma. Eat up.”

But I put my fork down and wiped my mouth. “I’m done. You guys go ahead. I’m heading out.”

Truth was, I was only half-satisfied. But Mom’s threat loomed large, so I had to practice restraint.

My path to the door took me right past Derek’s seat.

As I brushed by, I said flatly, “Derek, you’re really spineless, you know?”

His face went pale.

He wanted to distance himself from me. I got that.

Back then, anyone close to me became a target for Brittany’s clique.

But what actually stung was this: not long after graduation, he’d sworn to me that he hated Brittany’s crowd; that he’d stand by me; that he’d never do what they did.

And now here he was, showing me just how much he despised being associated with me.

Whatever. At least I knew who my real friends were.

I’d barely stepped out of the private room when Mia caught up with me and hooked her arm through mine. “I didn’t want to eat with them either. You barely touched your food, right? Come on, let’s hit The Boardwalk Night Market.”

“I heard there are a couple of new stalls. Their teriyaki chicken skewers are killer.”

My mouth watered, but I forced myself to say no. “Can’t. I’m starting my diet.”

Mia’s eyes went wide.

This was the first time I’d ever turned down a food run with her.

Her expression shifted to concern. “Emma, don’t listen to those jerks. I’ve always thought you were beautiful, and I swear—”

I cut her off with a laugh and explained that my mom had issued an ultimatum.

Once she realized it was my own decision, she relaxed and squeezed my arm. “You got this. I’ll be your cheerleader the whole way.”

I’m five foot seven and I weighed a hundred and seventy pounds.

By standard BMI charts, getting down to about a hundred and thirty would put me in the healthy range.

I spent a day drawing up a workout and meal plan.

Mom read it over and nodded with approval. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll stick to this menu religiously.”

Dad, however, looked heartbroken. “That’s just a few leaves of kale and some grilled chicken. How is that supposed to fill you up? Emma, maybe you don’t have to—”

Mom cut him off with a sharp elbow to his ribs. “Did you forget what the pediatrician said? She’s already in the overweight category. This is about her health.”

Dad’s brow furrowed. “Honey… remember when she was little? What if she really does slim down and all that chaos comes back?”

Mom’s expression flickered as the memories hit.

Back then, she had to pick me up an hour early from kindergarten every day, otherwise some other parent might’ve literally taken me home.

She’d set her phone to block unknown numbers, because otherwise it would ring off the hook from dawn till dusk, all from people wanting to arrange playdates already picturing their son marrying her someday.

Not that I remembered any of it, I was too young.

My parents exchanged a long look and finally agreed: one step at a time. Besides, they reasoned, puberty changes everyone. Maybe I’d just grow out of it.

All they wanted was for me to live a normal life.

The next morning, I was out the door at five for a run.

An hour later, I reached Pioneer Park and slowed down to catch my breath.

Then I heard a familiar voice, dripping with disbelief.

“Emma Carlson?”