by DoctorKowalski
The April sunshine streamed through the windows of the dorm hallway as Wendy made her way back from the studio. As she reached for her key card, she noticed the sound of labored breathing and erratic thumping coming from inside the room.
Frowning, Wendy pushed open the door. "Alyssa? Is everything okay—oh!"
Alyssa was on the living room floor, red-faced and drenched in sweat, attempting what might have been bicycle crunches but looked more like a turtle stuck on its back. Her t-shirt had ridden up, exposing a flabby belly that quivered with each flailing movement. Pale flesh spilled over the waistband of her leggings, forming pronounced love handles.
On the coffee table, a small village of empty takeout containers from the campus Chinese place sat open, chopsticks still sticking out of one and fortune cookie wrappers scattered nearby. The scent of sweet-and-sour sauce lingered in the air, mixing uncomfortably with the smell of sweat.
As the door swung open, Alyssa's eyes went wide with mortification. She tried to sit up quickly, but the sudden movement threw her off balance. She rocked to the side, arms windmilling comically as she attempted to right herself.
"What are you doing back so early?" Alyssa panted, her face growing even redder. She made another attempt to sit up, grunting with the effort, her double chin becoming more pronounced with the motion.
Wendy felt her cheeks flush with secondhand embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I should have texted," she said, averting her eyes. She shuffled awkwardly, unsure whether to retreat into the hallway or stay.
Alyssa managed to prop herself up on her elbows, her belly forming two thick rolls as she did so. She grabbed for a nearby towel, nearly losing her balance again in the process. "It's fine," she said, her voice strained as she dabbed at her flushed face. "I was just... you know, toning up for summer."
What might have been a flash of panic passed over Alyssa's face and then disappeared in an instant. Her words hung in the air between them, obviously ridiculous. Wendy nodded, not quite meeting Alyssa's eyes.
"That's... that's great," Wendy said, wincing at how false her voice sounded. "Exercise is... good."
Alyssa let out a bitter laugh, and then an uncomfortable silence fell between them, broken only by Alyssa's labored breathing as she finally pushed herself into a sitting position.
Wendy shifted her weight, suddenly aware of her own body in the space of the room: slender, curvaceous, comfortable in her skin. As Alyssa stood up, Wendy was struck by how much space her roommate now seemed to occupy.
For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Wendy saw a surge of the old Alyssa — proud, defiant, daring her to say something. When Wendy didn't speak, Alyssa rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with contempt. "God, what is it, Wendy? Never seen someone work out before?"
Wendy took a step back, startled by the sudden hostility. "I wasn't... I didn't mean to..."
"Whatever," Alyssa cut her off, waving a hand dismissively. "Some of us are trying to get ready for summer. Not that you'd understand." She gestured vaguely at Wendy's fit form, something fierce but unplaceable in her eyes. With that, she waddled towards her room, closing the door firmly behind her.
Wendy just stood there for a moment, staring at the damp, body-shaped outline on the carpet where Alyssa had been flailing.
***
With a determined set to her jaw, Alyssa once again squeezed herself into a sports bra and a pair of yoga pants that had grown far too snug around her hips and rear. She pointedly ignored the way the spandex pulled tight against her chub, focusing instead on the mental image of her former cheer captain physique.
Fueled equally by shame and defiance, Alyssa threw herself into a grueling workout, channeling all the drills and routines she remembered from her days on the squad. She started with jumping jacks, her breasts bouncing uncomfortably with each leap. Next came burpees, her thighs quivering and her breath coming in ragged gasps as she forced her softened body through the challenging moves.
Sweat poured down Alyssa's face and neck, plastering strands of hair to her flushed skin. She could feel the burn in her muscles, the ache of underused tissue being pushed to its limits. But she refused to let up, driving herself harder and harder, determined to sweat out every last ounce of excess flab.
She moved on to mountain climbers, her rounded belly jiggling with each rapid-fire rep. Alyssa gritted her teeth against the discomfort, pushing through the burn in her thighs and the tightness in her chest. She would not be the girl who got fat; she would not let herself become another Caitlin. Caitlin was a loser. Alyssa was a winner.
But as Alyssa transitioned into a series of high-intensity squat jumps, she felt a sudden, searing pain shoot through her left ankle. She cried out, stumbling and nearly losing her balance as the ankle gave way beneath her. Limping to the bed, Alyssa collapsed onto the mattress, her chest heaving and her face flushed a deep red.
Gingerly, she reached down to examine her ankle, wincing at the already visible swelling. It throbbed with each tentative prod, the skin hot and tight to the touch. Alyssa groaned, equal parts pain and frustration.
As she lay there, panting and in pain, the reflection from her bedroom mirror was not kind. Her sports bra had ridden up, exposing the pillowy flesh of her midsection. Her yoga pants dug into the softened swell of her hips, the fabric damp with sweat. And now, to add injury to insult, her ankle was the size of a grapefruit, bringing her workout to an end.
***
An hour later, Alyssa was back on the couch, her leg propped up on a stack of pillows, a bag of frozen peas balanced on the swollen ankle. Everything hurt. She scrolled through her phone with a scowl, her mood darkening.
Evan had been conspicuously absent this semester, always citing some vague excuse about being busy with classes or group projects. Alyssa knew it was bullshit, but she couldn't bring herself to call him out on it. The truth was, she needed him, now more than ever.
In his absence, she'd tried to find satisfaction elsewhere, lowering her standards to a level that would have been unthinkable just a few months ago. But the random hookups had only left her feeling empty and unsatisfied. No one could fuck her like Evan did.
Alyssa fired off another text, hating the needy, desperate edge to her words but unable to stop herself. "Hey, you around tonight? Could really use some company..." She hit send and tossed her phone aside, already knowing it would go unanswered.
With a frustrated groan, Alyssa leaned her head back against the cushions, trying to ignore the restless itch beneath her skin. She needed something, anything, to take the edge off, to quiet the clamoring of her thoughts, and to distract her from her unfulfilled arousal.
Almost without thinking, she reached for her phone again, this time opening the DoorDash app. She scrolled through the options, her mouth watering at the array of indulgent treats on offer.
Alyssa's finger hovered over the "place order" button, a flicker of hesitation staying her hand. She knew she shouldn't, but the siren song of instant gratification was too strong to resist, especially with her ankle throbbing and her pride in tatters.
With a defiant jab, Alyssa confirmed her order, a twisted sense of satisfaction washing over her. Fuck the diet, fuck the workout plan, fuck those smug Alpha Phi bitches, fuck Evan most of all. She deserved this, deserved a moment of indulgence to soothe her battered psyche.
As she waited for her feast to arrive, Alyssa's phone pinged with an incoming text. Her heart leaped, hoping against hope that it was Evan. But when she swiped to read the message, she was disappointed. "Your order is on the way!" reported DoorDash cheerfully.
***
Thirty minutes later, Alyssa was still on the couch, now surrounded by a sprawling feast of takeout containers. She had just taken a huge bite of lo mein when Wendy breezed into the apartment, a whirlwind of energy and good cheer.
"Hey, Lyss!" Wendy chirped, tossing her backpack onto a nearby chair. "Just popping in to drop off my stuff. Study group ran late, but I promised the girls I'd meet them for drinks at The Tipsy Owl."
Wendy gave a nod toward Alyssa's injured ankle before adding, "Hey, don't get up, but do you mind if I grab my charger from your room real quick?" Wendy ducked in and out of her room before Alyssa could reply.
Alyssa couldn't help but stare as Wendy shrugged out of her jacket, revealing the form-fitting pink sweater underneath. The soft, clingy fabric hugged Wendy's upper body, highlighting a figure that had undergone a startling transformation in recent months.
While Wendy's waist was still as tiny as ever, her figure had blossomed into an eye-popping hourglass, her big boobs now filling out her previously modest sweater without the slightest concern for gravity. While they might have seemed a few sizes too generous for her slender frame, Wendy somehow carried it off with casual grace. Alyssa felt a bitter wave of envy as she watched Wendy move cheerfully about the room, sexy without even trying.
Wendy, oblivious to Alyssa's inner turmoil, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a long swig, her sweater riding up to reveal a sliver of taut, toned midriff. She caught Alyssa's gaze and flashed her a friendly smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Don't wait up, okay? I'll probably be out late." Wendy's gaze flicked to the array of takeout containers littering the coffee table, but she made no comment, just gave Alyssa a small, sympathetic wave before breezing back out the door.
***
The Tipsy Owl was crowded, the dim lighting and twangy music creating an atmosphere of cozy intimacy. Evan lounged against the bar, sipping a beer and laughing at his friend's latest misadventure, when a flash of pink caught his eye.
He turned, his gaze landing on a slender brunette in a fitted sweater and jeans. She was pretty, with delicate features, a narrow waist, and a delightful flare to her hips, but what really caught Evan's attention was the way her sweater clung to her chest, hinting at an epic pair.
Intrigued, he set his drink down and made his way over to her, weaving through the throng of party-goers. As he drew closer, he noted her dark hair, the smiling curve of her lips as she chatted with a group of friends.
"Hey there," he said, sidling up to her with his most charming grin. "I don't think we've met. I'm Evan."
The brunette turned, her eyes widening in surprise as she took him in. Then, to his confusion, she let out a peal of laughter, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.
"Wow, Evan," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "I know it's been a minute, but I didn't think I was that forgettable."
Evan blinked, taken aback. He studied her face more closely, trying to place her. There was something familiar about the sparkle in her eye, the dimple in her left cheek...
"Wendy?" he said, realization dawning. "Holy shit, I didn't even recognize you!"
Wendy grinned, giving him a playful swat on the arm. "I guess I clean up okay, huh?"
Evan laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, you could say that..."
He trailed off, not quite sure how to finish that sentence without venturing into dangerous territory. Wendy, to her credit, seemed unfazed by his awkwardness. She just smiled, taking a sip of her drink and eyeing him over the rim of her glass.
"So, how have you been?" she asked, her tone light and casual. "I haven't seen you around the apartment. Still breaking hearts and taking names?"
Evan laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, I've been laying low lately. Focusing on school, you know how it is."
Wendy nodded, a knowing glint in her eye. "Right, I'm sure that's all you've been focusing on."
There was a teasing edge to her words. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, one of Wendy's friends tapped her on the shoulder, gesturing towards the dance floor.
"Come on, Wen, this is our song!" the girl said, grabbing Wendy's hand and tugging her away.
Wendy laughed, letting herself be pulled into the fray. She glanced back at Evan over her shoulder, offering him a coy smile.
"Catch you later, Evan," she said, her voice nearly lost in the thump of the music. "Maybe we can finish catching up another time."
***
Recently, Wendy seemed always off at some workout class on weekday afternoons, and so more and more often the apartment was blessedly empty.
Alyssa stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, her heart pounding. Taking a deep breath, she peeled off her oversized sweatshirt, then shimmied out of her leggings. Her hands shook as she unclasped her bra, letting it fall to the floor.
For months, Alyssa had refused to really look at herself, as a terrible sense of dread built inside her. Now, she stood there naked, forcing herself to look.
She'd been terrified of what she might see. But the reality was so much worse.
Her face was round, her cheeks puffy, and her jawline obscured by a double chin. Where there had once been a taut, flat expanse of golden skin, there now hung a heavy, soft, protruding bell streaked by angry red lines. Her fingers traced them, feeling the slightly raised texture. They spread outward from her navel like a sunburst, evidence of how rapidly she had expanded.
Her eyes moved lower. More lines, these silvery and older, decorated her upper thighs where they met her hips. They wrapped around to the back, marring the curve of her once-perfect ass. She turned, craning her neck to see. The sight made her gasp. Her butt, once her pride and joy, had become a shapeless expanse of cellulite and stretch marks.
Alyssa's gaze drifted up to her breasts. They were huge now, hanging heavily from her chest. Red lines radiated from her armpits across the sides of her breasts. She cupped them, feeling their unfamiliar heft.
Tears welled up in Alyssa's eyes. Her mind spun, trying to reject the evidence, searching for loopholes. This could not be her body. But it was. She'd ruined herself, gorged herself into this revolting new form. And these gross marks... they would never go away. Even if -
An unexpected sound from the common room ripped Alyssa back to the present moment...
***
...Wendy pushed open Alyssa's door, in a rush and not bothering to knock. "Alyssa, hey, I need my charger-"
Wendy froze mid-step, words dying on her lips.
Alyssa stood before the mirror, stark naked and weeping, her face a mask of grief and panic, her perfect body completely transformed and totally exposed. Wendy froze.
Their eyes met. For a heartbeat, Alyssa's face crumpled, vulnerable and lost. Then her features contorted, eyes flashing, nostrils flaring with rage.
"GET OUT!" she screamed, her voice raw and primal. She grabbed the nearest object - a hairbrush - and hurled it at Wendy with all her might.
Wendy ducked just in time, the brush narrowly missing her head and clattering against the wall behind her. She stumbled backwards, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Alyssa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Wendy stammered, but Alyssa wasn't listening.
"GET THE FUCK OUT!" she shrieked again, her eyes wild with humiliation and fury. She reached for something else to throw, her hand closing around a textbook.
Wendy spun on her heel and ducked out into the living room, slamming the door shut behind her just as the heavy book thudded against the other side.
Inside the room, she could hear Alyssa's muffled sobs.
***
Nate scanned the crowded room, his eyes skimming over the sea of faces until they landed on a familiar group of girls near the bar. A grin spread across his face as he recognized Harper, her French braid unmistakable even in the dim light. Next to her was Kayla, her generous cleavage on display in a low-cut top. Nate's gaze lingered there for a moment before moving on to Stephanie, looking cute as ever in her signature high ponytail.
His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed a fourth girl with them, a heavyset blonde he didn't know. He wondered if she'd borrowed her dress from a thinner girl – it looked a bit overstuffed.
There's always the fat friend, he thought to himself with a chuckle.
Squaring his shoulders, Nate approached the group with his most charming smile. "Ladies! Crushing the fake ID game, I see. Impressive."
The girls erupted in giggles, Harper playfully swatting his arm. "Nate! Shh, you'll blow our cover," she teased, leaning in for a hug.
Nate basked in their attention, exchanging air kisses and casual touches.
As he chatted with Harper and Kayla, complimenting their outfits and asking about their night, Nate found his attention drawn back to the big girl. There was something familiar about her eyes, the way she held herself...
Mid-story, it clicked. The fat friend was Alyssa Hastings. No. Fucking. Way.
He struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. This couldn't be the same Alyssa from last semester. But it was, and she had absolutely blown up.
Astonishing. Tragic. Nate briefly lingered on the realization, losing his train of thought as he let his mind wander back to a particular party last fall. The ass on that girl had nearly caused a riot.
Nate took a moment to collect himself, determined not to let his shock show. He smoothly integrated Alyssa into the conversation, asking her opinion on the bar's playlist, his voice only slightly strained.
Her eyes narrowed. Did she know what he was thinking?
And then his eyes traveled appreciatively over Harper's figure. Her crop top revealed a flat, toned stomach, and her skirt hugged her tight, perky curves. She looked so sexy tonight.
"So, Harper," Nate said, turning up the charm. "Feel like showing off those dance moves?"
Harper's eyes lit up. "Thought you'd never ask!"
Nate pulled Harper close as they melted into the crowd of dancing bodies.
***
Alyssa perched on a sticky barstool, sipping her fourth (or was it fifth?) cocktail of the night, watching with growing despair as her thin, pretty friends paired off with good-looking guys.
First, it was Harper, giggling as she let herself be led onto the dance floor by tall, sexy Nate Stuart, who seemed to not even recognize Alyssa.
Then Kayla, disappearing into a shadowy corner booth with a preppy type in a polo shirt who'd been talking to her chest for twenty minutes. Even Stephanie, who usually stuck by Alyssa's side like a faithful lieutenant, had abandoned her post in favor of flirting with the bartender.
And so Alyssa found herself alone, nursing her drink and trying to ignore the uncomfortable sensation of her party dress digging into her back fat. She'd bought this dress in February when she clearly needed something a little more forgiving. But now, three months later, the fabric felt unpleasantly tight, constricting her breathing and emphasizing the ever-thickening roll around her waist, her widening rear.
With a sigh of defeat, Alyssa drained the last of her cocktail and slid off the stool, wobbling slightly on her heels. It was clear that her night of revelry had come to a premature end. No use hanging around the bar like some loser.
As she wove her way through the crowd towards the exit, Alyssa felt her thighs rubbed together with each step.
Outside, the cool night air was a welcome relief against her flushed skin. Alyssa paused on the sidewalk, fumbling in her clutch for her phone. The alcohol buzzing through her system had left her feeling reckless, untethered. Before she could second-guess herself, she opened up her texting app and fired off a message to Evan.
"Come fuck me." She hit send before she could think better of it.
Alyssa stared at her phone, willing the screen to light up with Evan's response. But as the seconds and then minutes ticked by with no reply, she felt a sickening sense of humiliation begin to creep in.
Of course, he wasn't going to answer. He'd been MIA for most of the semester, and wasn't it obvious why? Alyssa could feel hot, angry tears welling up behind her eyes, blurring the streetlights into wavering halos.
***
Alyssa stumbled up the stairs to her apartment, her vision blurry and her head spinning. She fumbled with her key card. All she wanted was to collapse into bed and forget about this disastrous night.
Finally, the door swung open, and Alyssa stepped inside - only to freeze in the doorway, her heart plummeting to her stomach. The living room was in disarray, clothes and shoes scattered haphazardly across the floor. Familiar clothes.
A wave of nausea washed over Alyssa as she tried to process the scene before her.
And then a moan. Her gaze snapped to Wendy's bedroom door, half open, spilling a shaft of dim light across the darkened living room.
Alyssa drifted closer, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure they must hear it. Her stomach twisted with nauseating realization, but some perverse impulse kept drawing her forward.
Alyssa reached the half-open door and felt the world stop spinning. There, sprawled across the bed, was the lithe, naked form of her roommate, legs spread wide and draped over a set of broad male shoulders. Evan. He was buried between Wendy's thighs, his head moving rhythmically as Wendy writhed and gasped.
Alyssa's mouth went dry, her limbs frozen in horror. Wendy's back arched off the bed, her hands fisting in Evan's hair. Wendy's body was a vision of beautiful, lean limbs and soft curves, her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat. Her magnificent breasts heaved with each ragged breath, nipples pebbled and straining. The faint outline of Wendy's abdominal muscles could be seen as she writhed with pleasure. Evan's hands gripped Wendy's tiny waist, holding her steady as he feasted on her, his shoulders flexing with the effort.
Wendy let out a keening moan, her hips undulating against Evan's face. "Oh god, right there," she panted, her voice hitching. "Don't stop, please don't stop..."
Alyssa's stomach churned with jealousy and sickened arousal. Not very long ago, it had been her spread out beneath Evan like a feast. The sudden sensory memory of his mouth and his fingers made Alyssa's knees weak with longing.
But that was before the weight, before her body had turned into this fat, sloppy thing. Seeing Wendy like this in her taut perfection, Alyssa felt like a monster.
Wendy's cries grew louder and faster, her thighs beginning to quake and tremble around Evan's head. With a wail of ecstasy, her body went rigid and then convulsed, hips grinding desperately against Evan's mouth as she rode out her climax.
Alyssa spun away from the door, bile rising in her throat. She fled to her own room, slamming the door behind her and pressing her back to it as if to barricade herself against reality.
With fumbling fingers, Alyssa peeled off her dress, tossing it on the floor in a crumpled heap.
Amid hot tears, fully on autopilot, Alyssa reached out and grabbed a pint of Cherry Garcia from the mini-fridge. She pried off the lid and dug in with a vengeful spoon, not even bothering with the pretense of a bowl.
The first velvety mouthful was a balm to her battered ego. Alyssa let out a shuddering sigh and took another heaping spoonful, then another, the motions automatic and soothing. She slid to the floor.
The noises from Wendy's room began to escalate, filtering through the thin walls with devastating clarity. Alyssa heard the telltale creak of bedsprings, the throaty moans and gasps that could only mean Evan was fucking Wendy now.
"Oh god, yes! Evan!" Wendy's voice was high and breathy, punctuated by the rhythmic thump of the headboard against the wall.
In a sudden burst of anger, she hurled the empty pint container across the room, not even bothering to aim for the trash can. It hit the wall with an unsatisfying thunk and rolled under her desk, leaving a sticky trail of melted residue in its wake. The outburst did nothing to quell the onslaught of unwanted images assaulting her mind. She could see Evan's hips snapping forward, his muscles flexing as he pounded into Wendy's tight, perfect body.
She could picture the blissed-out expression on Wendy's face, her mouth open in a silent scream of ecstasy as Evan filled her again and again.
Alyssa's gaze darted to the mirror propped against her closet door, taking in the pathetic sight of her own reflection covered in pale, wobbly flesh, angry stretch marks, and cellulite. She was hunched and half-naked on the floor, thighs splayed and overflowing her too-small panties, thick belly roll flopping heavily over the elastic band. She averted her gaze. The contrast between this bloated, miserable creature and the lithe, athletic form of her roommate was too painful to contemplate.
Wendy's escalating moans filled her ears, mixing with the slap of flesh on flesh. The harder she tried to block it out, the louder and more insistent the sounds became. Wendy was chanting Evan's name now, her voice taking on a desperate, pleading edge as she approached an even higher peak.
Falling back on the floor, Alyssa squeezed her hand under her tight waistband and between her legs, slipping into the rhythm of Wendy's escalating cries. As fantasy overtook her, Alyssa was again slim and toned and beautiful beneath Evan's strong hands, arching in ecstasy as he worshipped her perfect body. Evan was filling her up, taking her to climax after climax until she was spent.
"Fuck, I'm gonna cum again," Wendy wailed, her words dissolving into a scream of ecstasy as she shattered, the sounds of her orgasm echoing off the apartment walls.
***
"Can you believe it's almost over?"
"The semester or my will to live?"
"Both, I guess."
"Funny. Pass the highlighter?"
"Here. God, I hate finals."
"Join the club. Hey, did you hear about the Pi Kap party?"
"Total disaster. Fire alarm at 2 AM."
"Ouch. Glad I skipped it."
"Smart move. Oh, have you started packing yet?"
"Ugh, don't remind me. My room's a disaster."
"Same. I swear I have more stuff than when I moved in."
"The Alpha Phi curse. We're all hoarders."
"Speak for yourself. I'm a collector."
"Of what? Empty Starbucks cups?"
"Hey, those are vintage."
"Hey, who's going to the year-end formal?"
"Date's still TBD."
"Ask that cute guy from your bio lab."
"Which one? Tattoo or man-bun?"
"Tattoo. Man-bun's taken."
"Noted. Oh, speaking of taken, did you hear about Evan?"
"No, what about him?"
"Word is he hooked up with Wendy."
"As in Alyssa's roommate?"
"Bullshit - I heard he's fucking that girl Emma."
"The junior with the big - "
"Yes."
"Very on brand."
"What a fuckboy."
"I heard he's got a huge -"
"Anyway, speaking of Alyssa... has anyone seen her lately?"
"Not really. She hasn't been to a chapter meeting in forever."
"I saw her at the library yesterday. She looked..."
"Hefty?"
"You're such a bitch."
"...I was gonna say...rough."
"Finals stress probably."
"Yeah... probably."
"Anyway, summer plans?"
"Internship in the city. You?"
Chapter 6