Emily had been walking around the mall for a while when her stomach let out a little growl as the smell of food wafted to her from the food court. Normally, Emily didn't really think about food too much, but lately, she'd been eating out a lot more often, and she was starting to notice that her appetite had increased a little. It seemed like Michael was always dragging her out to eat since they'd started dating. Though, it wasn't like she really cared too much. It wasn't like she was going to get fat.
She'd always been skinny. Or at least as long as she could remember. It wasn't like she really tried to stay thin; it just had always been the case. Though she'd always been curious about what it would be like to gain some weight, she'd never felt confident enough in herself to go through with it. And so, she stayed Emily the twig. Honestly, she probably got teased more for being so thin than she ever would if she was fat.
Emily's heart rate sped up a little as she saw the familiar face of her best friend, Sam, eating at one of the tables. They had been friends since elementary school, and Emily felt like she could trust Sam with anything.
"Hey!" Emily said, walking over to where Sam was sitting and plopping down in the chair across from her. "What are you doing here?"
"Not much," Sam said through a mouthful of burger, "Just getting a meal before work. By the way, have you tried that new burger place that just opened up over there? They are sooo good!"
Sam gestured towards a new burger restaurant that had just opened in the food court. Giant Gut Burgers and Fries. Emily smiled at the name. It definitely seemed like many restaurants were embracing the stereotype that their food wasn't good for you.
Sam held one of her burgers towards Emily, "Try one. God knows you could use the calories."
Emily rolled her eyes but took the burger anyway. She knew Sam was joking around. It wasn't like one burger would really make that much difference in her weight.
"Thanks," Emily said as she took a bite of her burger, feeling her eyes go wide as the delicious flavor flooded her mouth, and she quickly took another bite.
"Told you they were good," Sam chuckled, patting her fat belly, "I've already had like five today."
"You know you really should be careful about how much you're eating," Emily chided, "You've definitely been putting on weight lately."
"Whatever," Sam scoffed, "Food tastes too good. Besides, what do I care if people think I'm a little overweight? Being chubby feels sooo good. Honestly, you should try it sometime."
Emily felt her face flush in embarrassment and glanced down at the juicy burger in her hands. She really wanted to put on some weight. Honestly, she was tired of everyone teasing her for being so skinny. However, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"I-I dunno," Emily muttered.
"C'mon, I bet you'd look hot with a little more weight," Sam said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Then, getting a sly look in her eyes, she said, "Hey, if you're interested in gaining weight, I know a way that'll make it happen."
"Yeah?" Emily asked, raising an eyebrow, "How?"
"You should come work at Fat Bob's," Sam suggested, "They always need more people to work there, and you would get free meals. Plus, you'd get to work with me!"
"Oh, I don't know..." the two girls looked at one another.
Sam's eyes narrowed, "Don't be so timid. I mean, they're a burger joint, so who would care if you gained a little weight? Plus, you'd get to meet tons of boys."
"I already have a boyfriend," Emily shot, rolling her eyes, "I don't need to meet any boys."
"I know," Sam said, laughing, "But that's all the more reason to try to gain some weight. Boys like girls with curves, and you. Well, you have nothing, girl."
Emily frowned, feeling a pit of insecurity well up inside of her, and she felt herself flushing in embarrassment. She hated it when people pointed out that she was so skinny, but at the same time, she was nervous about what people would think if she ended up like Sam. She'd seen how that slippery slope went. You started by putting on just a little weight and ended up fat. Why couldn't Sam understand her?
"I'll have to think about it," Emily said quietly, refusing to look Sam in the eyes.
"Ugh, that's what you say every time," Sam said, rolling her eyes as she tore into another burger, "You really need to live a little."
Emily frowned deeper, but before she could open her mouth to protest, she heard someone talking from behind her.
"Hey, Sam! Hey, Emily!"
Emily turned around to see Michael standing behind her with a grin on his face. Smiling back, Emily waved for him to join them. She couldn't help but notice that he was even more handsome than usual today.
"Oh, Emily, I need to head to work. My shift is about to start," Sam said, standing up and stretching, "I'll talk to you later. Will you at least think about what I said?"
"Yeah, sure," Emily said, forcing a smile on her face before turning to face Michael as he sat down.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Ugh, that's complicated," Emily said. "We were just talking about some stuff. Besides, it's not really important anyway."
"You know you're horrible at lying," Michael chuckled, "Besides, your face keeps turning redder and redder by the second."
Emily's face felt like it was on fire, "Sam was, uh, just suggesting, that, um, maybe I should apply for a job at Fat Bob's."
"Oh, really?" Michael asked, "What did you say?"
"I said I'd think about it," Emily quickly fibbed.
"You are so indecisive," Michael teased.
Emily glared at him, "I am not!"
"Then what's the problem," he said, throwing his arms around her and pulling her into a tight hug, "Why do you need to think about it?"
Emily tried not to blush too hard as she wrapped her arms around Michael, feeling herself relax into his embrace. It felt so good to be hugged like this. Her heart pounded as she got more and more into it.
"I don't know," Emily said, closing her eyes as she nestled closer to Michael, "I just don't know if that's the right job for me."
"Then what would be the right job?"
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