Page 61 of Under Her

A voice laughs. “Hartwell’s going for the fatty again tonight to ensure he gets his dick wet.”

Fatty.

I take in a sharp breath. Instant tears prick at my eyes. I suck them back.

“You mock, but the fat ones always give it up easier. They’re so fucking desperate for attention, they’ll spread their legs at the click of a finger.”

Dean Hartwell.

He was in my economics class last year. Seemed like a nice guy. Clearly, he’s not.

I wrap my arms over my chest, my insides trembling with hurt.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

I was feeling so good about myself earlier. But now…

I glance down at the dress I’m wearing, and all I can see are lumps and bumps.

I pull at the fabric to loosen it. To try and hide what I forgot for a while was there.

Fat.

I want to go home.

And then do what? Eat? Cry?

Well, it would be a hell of a lot better than standing here, listening to a bunch of guys calling me fat.

I step away from the door. But…if I leave, Joely will want to come with me. And I don’t want to spoil her night. Not now that she’s met some guy she might like.

For Joely’s sake, I just need to suck it up and go in there to get our beers.

They probably won’t even notice me anyway.

I take a few hundred deep breaths. Then, I gingerly push the kitchen door open.

The sound of male laughter assaults my ears. At first, I think they’re laughing at me again, but with one quick glance, I see they’re not even looking my way.

As my eyes pull away, I catch sight of Wilder, and my heart bangs painfully against my chest.

He’s in the group. Standing with those guys who were just calling me fat.

He’s leaning against the kitchen counter, his eyes down, focused on his cell phone.

“You’ve been on your phone since you fucking got here,” one of the guys says to Wilder. “What—or should I say, who has got you so interested?”

“No one.”

Wilder goes to pocket his cell, but the guy snatches it before he can.

“Holy fucking shit!” the guy crows. “Cross is getting titty pics from some chick!”

“What? Let me see!” Hartwell makes a grab for the phone.

But the guy holding it moves it out of his way, and instead, he turns the screen around for everyone to see.

Me included.