They Called Me a Submarine. On Bid Day, I Stunned Them All Chapter 03

They Called Me a Submarine. On Bid Day, I Stunned Them All Chapter 03

Justin and I met in a competitive game.

Back then, I was a senior in high school. Two hundred pounds.

The guys in my class called me “Nuclear Submarine.”

The girls never said it outright—

but they’d go quiet when I walked past, then burst into laughter together.

Once, during PE, I finished last in the run.

I was gasping, almost passing out.

The boy I’d had a crush on stood at the finish line, took a step back, and said:

“Don’t fall on me.”

“You’d cause an earthquake. Who could even catch you?”

The whole class laughed.

That night, I escaped into the game.

I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

That’s when Justin added me.

He heard my voice and kept asking:

“Your voice is so sweet. Are you sure you’re not a voice actress?”

We started duo-queuing together.

When teammates flamed me, he’d unmute and defend me.

“It’s just a game. Why are you yelling at a girl?”

When I was down, he’d stay up talking to me.

“Who says being chubby is bad? I think it’s cute.”

“Allie, no matter what you look like—I like you.”

I believed him.

I even started thinking—maybe I was worth being liked.

Until six months ago.

He found my old social media, linked to my game account.

My high school. My real name.

After that, he got cold.

Used to text me all day. Then it was just good morning and good night.

I asked him what was wrong.

He said he was stressed about exams.

Now I know. It wasn’t stress.

He’d seen my photos.

But he didn’t break up with me.

Because I helped him rank up. Took notes for him. Held him together when he fell apart.

He didn’t want to lose a good emotional punching bag.

So he waited until the day before move-in. Rolled the dice.

And passed me off like a prize.

—

Another call came in. I picked up this time.

Justin’s voice was sharp.

“What’s with you and Finn in the group? Why were you two acting like a thing?”

“He said one sentence. That’s not acting like a thing.”

“Guys like him don’t speak up for no reason.”

He laughed coldly.

“Don’t think just because you have a sweet voice, you can actually land him.”

“Finn has higher standards than me. If you show up, you’re just embarrassing yourself.”

I paused. “So you think I’m not good enough for you?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“Then why did you bet five thousand I wouldn’t show?”

He choked. A moment later, he snapped.

“Fine. You want the truth?”

“Allie—I’ve seen what you look like.”

“Talking online is fine. But in person? We’re not a match.”

“Don’t blame me.”

“It’s natural to be attracted to pretty girls.”

“I haven’t even blocked you. That’s already me being decent.”

I held the phone. Whatever was left in my chest went cold.

“Thanks. Very polite of you.”

He didn’t catch the sarcasm. His tone softened.

“Don’t come tomorrow. I’ll pay you back the three thousand.”

“Rachel’s going to be there.”

“If you stand next to her, you’ll just feel worse.”

I asked slowly: “Are you close with her?”

He went quiet.

“Don’t overthink it. There’s nothing between us.”

I smiled.

Tomorrow was going to be more interesting than I’d expected.