Chapter Two

I sat down in my preferred seat in the back of my English class and put my head down on the cool desk. It’s very much like me to get this worked up this early in the morning. It’s really hard to understand unless you’ve actually lived in the shoes of someone like me. All I think about is my weight and how people think of me because of my weight.

You’re heavy. People know that. They see it. Get over it and move on with your life already.

But if my life would involve people like Is, Adrienne and Piper forever, how could I not think about it? They are beauty, and I am not. They are what guys were looking for, and I definitely aint that either.

“Miss Child,” a stern voice said from the front of the room, “I’m glad that you’ve finally decided to show up to my class on time, but if you’re going to spend it sleeping, you might as well just stay home.”

I sat up and looked around the class. All eyes were on me.

“Yes Mrs. Westen,” I mumbled as a felt the red creep up my cheeks at the thought that I was the point of focus for those brief moments.

I hadn’t even noticed she had started the taken attendance, but as I looked up to the board I saw that half of it was already covered in note that we too were obviously supposed to be writing down.

I flipped open my messy notebook and furiously began copying down the note, trying to catch up with everyone else.

English that day was fairly easy. Mrs. Western talked and I pretended to listen, drawing doodles on the corner of my pages.

“So tomorrow I’ll expect you to have read up to chapter twelve please and analyse all of the religious content,” Mrs. Westen said just as the class bell rang, “You will all make a 2 minute presentation on everything that you find.”

I sighed and picked up my books. Great! A presentation or as I like to refer to them as, a chance for people to stare at me.

The rest of the day went by fairly quickly too and before I knew it I was sitting out by Is’ car, waiting for her as Ben had hockey practice and Is, Adrienne and I were going to go shopping.

Joy.

“You ready?” Is asked as her and Adrienne approached the car.

“SHOT GUN!” Adrienne yelled dashing for the front seat.

I laughed and climbed into the back of Is’ Ford Explorer.

“So Is and I were talking in Spanish class,” Adrienne said as Is started up the car, “and we were thinking about getting pedicures and manicures then smoothies.

“Sounds good to me,” I said.

I sure hope I have enough money in my bank card for that after I paid for groceries yesterday.

One thing that really sucks about living on your own is lack of funds. Not only do I have to pay for my own entertainment like a normal teenager but I also have to buy my own clothes and help Andy out with rent and groceries, plus any extra things I want.

“Zak and I are back together,” Is said making a sharp turn and flashing a smile.

“Big surprise there,” I laughed.

“Don’t be mean Daph,” Adrienne said looking back at me, “They really are destined to be together.”

“Thank you Ade,” Is said smugly.

“They just haven’t been able to stay together for longer than 2 months in the last 2 years they’ve been together,” Adrienne finished.

“Oh come on guys! There’s nothing wrong with people who argue once in a while,” Is defended, “It’s healthy to fight. We’re not keeping everything all bottled up.”

“If that’s what you wanna call it,” I said, “And how was your date with Mac last night?”

Adrienne looked back at me with a scowl on her face, “Boring, sleazy and all around horrible.”

“What happened?” Is asked.

“We hadn’t even gotten our food yet and he was trying to feel up my skirt. It was disgusting. I went to the bathroom and ended up leaving. I don’t get why all guys think I’m such a slut! I’ve only ever slept with Adam and that was after we dated for 6 months.”

“Because all the guys that date you wanna sounds cool so they say they got into your pants and since other guys hear that, they think you’re easy,” Is said matter-of-fact.

“Thanks for that explanation Is,” Adrienne said.

“Just saying the truth,” Is laughed, “How is Adam anyways? Are you still talking to him.”

“Of course I am,” Adrienne said as we pulled into the mall parking lot, “I talked to him last week end. He’s doing fine, but the town he moved to is really boring. We’re talking they have a grocery store, a church and a bowling alley. He has to drive 20 minutes to get to the closest high school.”

Adam is Adrienne’s ex-boyfriend. They’re in love, or so they claim. He moved to some small town up near Algonquin Park in the beginning of the summer and they decided to break up and stay friends. Ade doesn’t believe in long distance relationships what so ever.

The three of us got out of Is’ car and started walking towards the mall. Chatham isn’t a really big city. About 50 000, which is big enough for us to have a mall, unfortunately, not big enough for us to have a really good mall.

It consisted of a Goodlife Fitness, a Bluenotes, a dollar store, a few old people clothes stores, a Chinese food place, a pathetic excuse for a spa, a Payless and a smoothie shop. Oh, and of course about a dozen empty stores that have a store in them for about three months until the store goes bankrupt from not having enough customers then it is closed for another year or so.

“So I heard the big dish on you today Daph,” Is said smiling, “When we’re you going to tell us?”

People were talking about me? What were they saying? Oh gosh, this can’t be good!

“What are you talking about?” I asked, the nervousness obvious in my voice.

“You moving in with Ben. Duh!” Adrienne answered for her, “Everyone’s talking about it. Piper’s furious!”

“I’m not moving in with Ben guys. I’m fine living with Andy. What would be the point. He’s over every night until like midnight anyways and lives down the hall,” I said, very confused about how this all started.

“Well Piper told Maggie who told us that Andy had to move out of town for second semester to do his placement for school and that you we’re going to move in with Ben.”

“Ben’s moving?” I almost screeched.

How could Ben not tell me that he’s moving? How could he arrange for me to move in with another guy and be leaving in a month and not tell me? How could Ben not tell me? It’s not like he didn’t have an opportunity to. I see him every night, every morning and every day at school.

“Oh, maybe we weren’t supposed to tell you…” Is said trailing off, “I’m sure they we’re going to tell you soon.” But I was too furious to listen to her.

The bastards! How could they do this to me? They’re two of my best friends. Don’t you think that the fact that I’m moving should be at least some of my concern? I’m gonna kill them!

I didn’t answer Is just pulled out my cell phone and hit number four on my speed dial.

“Hey Daph, what‘s up?” I heard Ben pick up.

“Benjamin Richard Derink when the hell were you going to tell me that I’m moving in with you?”

“Shit!” he mumbled, “Daphne, I swear we were going to tell you soon. Andy just told me on the weekend that he’s leaving.”

“Well obviously you could tell someone else, just not me” I said harshly.

Is and Adrienne looked at me with a you’re-being-a-little-hard-on-him look but I ignored it.

“The only person I told was Piper. I just wanted to give her a heads up. I know you two don’t get along all that well-”

“What so you have to get permission to have someone move in with you?” I snapped back.

“I didn’t ask her Daph, I told her. She’s not happy about it but oh well. Your friendship means more to me than any girl,” Ben reasoned.

Because Ben doesn’t see me as a girl. He sees me as a friend. That hurts.

“Whatever Ben. I’m gonna be home in 20 minutes and we need to talk,” I said shooting Is and Adrienne an apologetic look.

“Do you want me to come pick you up?” Ben asked me.

Piper’s words from earlier that day ran through my head.

“You would think that you wouldn’t’t have to bum a ride off Ben for the rest of your life.”

“No Ben, I can walk,” I said and then shut the phone.

“Sorry guys. I have to go talk with Ben and Andy. I’ll have to reschedule,” I said to Adrienne and Is.

“That’s fine Daphne. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Adrienne said.

I waved to the two girls and went out the mall exit.

Shit was gonna hit the fan.