by Matt L. » Fri Aug 05, 2016 9:51 am
----- TWENTY - MINUTES LATER -----
Miles looked entirely charming by Jenna’s estimation.
A trifle dorky but a cute dork.
Miles’s hair was slicked back, not a smidgen of stubble left on his face, broadcasting his mildly handsome baby face. Decked out in his best apparel, his tawny colored dress shirt unambiguously exhibiting the fullness of his round gut, his J.C. Penny’s tie of an elaborate style with a black and yellow checkered pattern while his black slacks were a bit short.
Armed with a bouquet flowers and a box of chocolates, and not the cheap variety either, Miles bestowed Jenna a favorable smile upon taking in her appearance, and he nervously stuttered amidst wheezing, “Hot dog! You look ….very….very….bea …beautiful!”
Jenna tried playing it cool, gushing with a modest giggle as she rolled her eyes, “You’re looking very suave yourself, handsome….”
Jenna retrieved the candy and flowers, giggling again as she handed them off to Dora, “Oh, Miles, you’re such a sweetheart, thank you.”
Miles began to blather, “Well tonight’s a big deal, you know, just my appreciating ..I mean, just my …showing my appreciation for going to the dance with me….”
Dora and April snapped a few photographs with the couple standing together, and a solo photograph of each of them.
“Y’all have fun tonight!” Dora shouted out, “And Jenna, stay out as long as you like, take tomorrow off!”
“Shucks yeah!” Jenna enthusiastically thanked her, Miles likewise adding his thanks.
April hugged them both, whispering into Miles’s ear, “Make a good impression, and for goodness sakes, don’t be thinking about Kelly.”
Miles agreed with a nod.
From there it was to Miles’s car, actually his mom’s car, and then off the dance!
______
Mood music playing low on radio as they drove to town, the pair excitingly chatting away, almost talking over each other in cheerfulness. Jenna feeling as she did months earlier but without a shred of arrogance, Miles sporadically breaking through his gawky demeanor and sounding like a self-assured young man. Even taking an elongated peek at Jenna’s healthy rack when she wasn’t looking.
All was cool for want of a better term.
Miles aided Jenna out of the car, holding her hand while entering the VFW hall were the festivities were held. The dance floor was spacious, several tables situated near the refreshment stand.
Just like prom but at a little less elegant expense Jenna conceded in her thoughts.
Most of Jenna’s high school clique were there, she had yet met up with Betsy.
Just like Jenna they all carried extra pounds, their waists thicker, wider hips and plump bellies, albeit the changes to their figures not nearly as radical as the former prom queen.
Naturally there was talk, not outwardly catty and mainly in surprise, Jenna seemed too vain to capitulate to complete chubbiness, her lofty standards and potential seemed designed for her to remain svelte and flawless.
Photographs were taken with her and her old squad of cheerleaders, Jenna was right up there with the heaviest, no shock, and she then joined Miles to meet up with his friends.
Miles’s comrades were never especially fond of Jenna but they treated her moderately respectful.
Jenna was unfamiliar with them and their dates, this wasn’t unusual, she scarcely acknowledged them while in high school. All but one of the females was overweight, ranging from plump to pudgy; the lone thin girl was very scrawny. These chicks, along with Miles’s friends, were amused about Jenna’s size, speaking in whispers and broad smiles concerning the pompous beauty that didn’t look all that special anymore.
Jenna made a go of it, socializing with Miles’s pack like they were friends for ages and actually she did really well. Miles abandoned Jenna for a few minutes to grab refreshments, Jenna assimilating into the group as if she had always been positioned on their lower rung of the social ladder.
Miles returned shortly with small glasses of beer, the revelry continuing for a few minutes longer until Jenna spotted Betsy.
Betsy stood among a collection of apparently upscale - attractive looking people, and she fit in with them winningly. Betsy’s blond mane was rich with brown highlights, and manufactured into an extravagant upward style which showed off her exquisite features. Her sumptuous figure was all to brag about in a black sleeveless evening gown. Jenna even had to admit Betsy looked like an entirely different woman, effervescent, self-confident and sophisticated.
Jenna politely excused herself, after a moment Miles trailed behind.
Betsy was surrounded by several people, including her date, a tall physically fit male.
Jenna couldn’t distinguish any of them but then again the older section of Beluga Lake had been redeveloped, perhaps Betsy’s friends were new arrivals in town, young urban professionals.
They did appear ingeniously classy and well-heeled.
Jenna’s slowed her gait, which was vastly uncoordinated, finally coming within close proximity of Betsy’s clique. Jenna tethered sideways to catch Betsy’s attention, ultimately coughing out loud to get notice.
Simultaneously they all turned to Jenna, their expressions sans any kind of warmness.
Betsy elevated her eyebrows along with her chin, “Oh, Jenna, it’s you”, she half-smiled.
Betsy moved closer to Jenna and bestowed her a flimsy hug, then swung around, announcing to her group, “This is Jenna, a friend from high school.”
“Friend from high school?” Jenna abruptly thought, “What is that suppose to mean?”
Betsy failed to introduce anyone in her circle, including her date but did commend Jenna on how very nice she looked.
Miles ultimately caught up with Jenna, Betsy likewise complimenting him, “Miles Trent, you look positively debonair. I see that you managed to shanghaied Jenna in accompanying you to the dance, I knew you two would eventually hit it off.”
Jenna squinted, about to reply that they’re only out as friends, when Betsy swiftly reached out and took Jenna by the hands.
Betsy smiled as she squeezed Jenna’s hands firmly, “So nice seeing you, Jen”, her voice heavy with condescension, “I’m with ‘people’ so run off and have fun, maybe we can talk later.”
Jenna’s forlorn expression was quickly switched for a counterfeit smile, awkwardly uttering, “Okay, nice seeing you too…”
Jenna couldn’t believe Betsy’s dismissive attitude, behaving toward her like she was some inconsequential high school acquaintance.
The acrimonious feeling of rejection shaking up Jenna so badly that she fortuitously walked into Miles as she turned around. Miles’s body was like a brick wall, he barely budged from his place, however, Jenna felt all the more lumbering and uncultured. Nowhere near as socially superior as Betsy or her newfound friends.
Miles cordially took Jenna by the hand as they strolled away, although Jenna could have sworn she overheard Betsy say something in regard to Jenna being a nice person, an excuse if anything to explain her familiarity with some girl who didn’t fit into their league.
Miles recognized that Jenna was upset, Betsy’s standoffish conduct was pungent enough for him to feel, but he tried to improve her mood with absurd logic, “I suppose Betsy isn’t around those people all that much, give her the reason of doubt, she knows you’re a better friend than they are.”
Jenna swayed her face toward Miles with a blank expression.
Miles kept up the cheerful rhetoric, “We’ll go back to my friends, I’ll hit the refreshment stand, make ya a plate, they have lasagna, I heard it’s pretty good…..”
Jenna ignored Miles’s kindness, and instead critically spewed in her thoughts, “Oh great, I’ve been demoted to the wannabe’s table, and he wants to feed me on top of it!”
“Food is the prescribed remedy for us big gals when we‘re down!” Jenna added particularly sarcastic.
Jenna squeezed Miles’s hand upon reaching the area where his friends lounged, steering her body to face him, she stress fully solicited, “Don’t be gone too long, okay?”
Miles let go Jenna’s hand and impulsively yet gently grasped her waist, “Of course, I’ll be right back.”
Jenna’s heartrending emotional state had activated her appetite, and she added with a lopsided smile, “Don’t be too stingy with the lasagna.”
Miles shook his head, smiling constructively before momentarily deserting Jenna.
Jenna resumed sitting with Miles’s collection of friends, holding onto her stomach region as she lowered herself into a chair.
These people leisurely mingled among themselves, although they would occasionally acknowledge Jenna was a friendly comment or courteous smile. Jenna rotated her head, eyeing Betsy in the distance, her despondent feelings mixed with envy.
Violet McCann, the sole thin girl in the bunch, took a seat next to Jenna as her boyfriend excused himself to grab more beer.
Violet was genuinely pretty, long brown hair, her scrawny figure not looking half bad in a beautiful medium-blue colored gown. Violet cheerily conversed with Jenna, leaving the subject of high school clearly out of the picture. Jenna was engagingly responsive to the small talk, although she hardly knew Violet at all. Soon enough, and as Miles returned with the food, many more of his friends joined in on the whimsical banter between Jenna and Violet, apparently accepting Jenna.
Miles handed Jenna her plate, proficiently favoring his date with two large chunks of lasagna, carrot sticks, and a slice of roast beef with a muffin.
“Miles is the man of my dreams”, Jenna announced with a spunky giggle to Violet and his other friends. Somehow a bit of humor on her own expense helped to alleviate her feelings of dejection.
“Yeah, ol Miles knows my reputation; I always enjoy a big hearty meal!” Jenna added with the same bubbly timbre.
Violet moved over one spot and permitted Miles to take the seat at the table next to Jenna.
Jenna ate rather demurely, forcing herself to eat with decorum when in fact she wanted to savagely gobble up the food due to her pent up frustration.
The minutes went by, Jenna somehow managing to win over Miles’s friends as if she never treated them rudely in high school. Pleasurable, relaxing and gregarious, Jenna’s mood was improving.
Although Jenna was having a nice time now that Miles’s crowd made her feel generally comfortable, she reminded herself that despite how well they accepted her that she didn’t belong in their clique. She was better than them, no way would she assimilate into the same people she ignored in high school. Jenna was determined to drop the pounds, shape up and join Betsy in her popular clique.
A sneaky smile building over Jenna’s face as she decisively quipped in her thoughts, “I’ll be the Queen Bee, even put Betsy to shame no matter how beautiful she looks.”
However, sensibly or not, Jenna portrayed herself as if she was a standard fixture in Miles’s group, and put on the guise of stereotypical fat girl just to humor herself and appease them.
“Miles, baby”, Jenna spoke in a cute tone, “Would you please get me some dessert, please.”
“Sure, what you have in mind?” Miles answered back exceptionally polite, “There’s ice cream, pie and cake.”
Jenna kept up the overblown charming chatter, “Gosh, darn, they’re all scrumptious but I’m still unbelievably hungry, best bring me all three.”
“Good thing you’re on a diet”, Miles joking stated to himself before removing himself from the chair, “Of Course, Jen, my pleasure”, he elatedly smiled.
Miles excused himself from the assembly and dashed off to the refreshment stand.
Jenna turned to a couple of heavier females in their company, dramatically patted her belly section, she happily but fictitiously divulged, “I’m so glad that I gave up watching my figure, this way I can just eat and eat without feeling guilty about my weight, especially now that I’m fat.”
The females nodded in unison, one of them sweetly commenting, “Well Jenna, you’re still very pretty.”
“You think?” Jenna cracked an eye, giggling as she played it up excessively persuasive, “But thanks!”
This went on a while longer, even while she consumed the desserts, Jenna spoke and behaved like she naturally believed overweight women actually conducted themselves.
Jenna spoke about food, spending lazy days just indulging in sleep and reading, and watching TV, and food. And about how fashionable attire was too expensive and overrated.
“Sometimes I wear the same clothes for 3, 4 days in row, like what’s the big deal!” Jenna shrilled in laughter at one point.
Jenna was pleased that the other females all shared similar opinions and experiences.
Only thing, much of what Jenna had related was becoming existent traits to her character.
Finally the orchestra began to play, and Miles gallantly asked Jenna to dance.
Jenna’s smile was truly authentic, she really enjoyed dancing.
Heaving herself upward with a walloping loud sigh, she was then led to the dance floor by Miles.
The first number was ’Melancholy Serenade’, a slow song, and Miles surprisingly wasn’t shy about gluing his hand to Jenna’s waist as they dance. Jenna brought her body against Miles, resting her chins over his shoulder.
Amiably Jenna whispered, “I think your friends are starting to like me.”
“What’s there not to like?” Miles replied.
“In high school I was a different person”, Jenna ridiculously smirked, “I was so snooty to them.”
In reality Jenna still considered Miles’s friends lower in status, a fact she choose to ignore for the moment.
Jenna then giggled, “I hope I made a good impression.”
They glided across the dance floor as if they were the perfect couple.
“Well….” Miles paused before questioning Jenna, “I think you made a good impression. Were you real about eating that much food, and all that other stuff?”
Jenna closed her eyes, her body aligned with Miles, his chubbiness producing a sensual sensation and she emitted a soft purr.
“I’ll take that as a yes”, Miles smiled as he misconstrued her purr for an answer.
“Don’t be daffy”, Jenna said in a cute warble, her fingertips digging into his soft waist, “I said lots of that stuff coz I want to blend in with your crowd.”
“Just be yourself, Jenna”, Miles wisely advised her.
Jenna scrunched her nose in thought, embracing Miles all the tighter, her mind zeroing in on her attraction toward him - her weight and status - and Betsy’s condescending attitude.
Miles cupped Jenna’s upper arm, while his other arm was wrapped around her waist, steadily kneading the soft tissue, a sweltering ardent feeling rippling through her body.
Jenna and her world had indeed changed.
She closed her eyes, Miles’ paunchy belly sliding against her, and she deliberately avoided wondering if she could ever salvage her appearance and popularity, and to instead enjoy the evening.
What did it matter if she was ‘Big Jen’ for one more night_.
Jenna cleared her throat in a feminine manner, thoroughly enticed, inching her hand down Miles’s body, planting her fingers over his wide butt.
Most of Miles’s friends were on the dance floor with exception to one couple. They watched the dancing from their table, Jenna incorporated into their discussion.
“I like her better now, she ain’t so stuck up anymore”, the young man commented, “She’s a regular girl.”
The young lady concurred and added, “I guess getting chubby knocked her down to earth, I hope you don’t think I’m being too awful but I’m glad she got fat.”
“No, I like her better this way too”, The young man responded cheerily.
“I almost think we can become friends”, She pondered out loud; “We have lots in common.”
The particular song came to an end, a jazzy number was featured next, and Jenna gave it her best shot to stay on the dance floor with Miles.
Miles was significantly impressed by Jenna’s boogie-wiggle, and she grabbed his hand and pulled him in just long enough for her to bump her hip against his body.
Miles took noticed of Jenna’s face; she appeared exceptionally happy and excited.
“For a hefty gal she does have some moves”, the guy at the table commented.
“I’m surprised she has the energy but she used to be a cheerleader”, the girl replied, “Way to go!”
However, after a few minutes Jenna became rather fatigued, slowing down to virtually a crawl.
“Wanna take a break?” Miles asked.
Jenna waved her hand in front of her face, “Yeah, baby, I’m pooped.”
Jenna stepped in toward Miles and seized him by the hand, catching him by surprised; he reeled in his face and giggled.
Jenna kept one hand firmly over her stomach as they walked off the dance floor, slightly huffing from near exhaustion.
“We’ll sit the next couple out, honey, okay?” Jenna softly pleaded, “But like, in a while we can dance some more.”
Miles agreed, noting the unmistakably passive tone to Jenna’s voice, she had relinquished control over their relationship - friendship to the young man she once deemed not worth her time in high school.
“Sure, fine with me”, Miles said upon reaching their table. Miles aided Jenna down into her chair, she coyly grinned, “Say champ, could you please get me another beer?”
Miles attentively nodded and off he went.
The lone couple remaining at the table earnestly commended Jenna about how well she danced.
This opened up Jenna’s sensitivity, she duly appreciated their compliments and she found room to make another goofy crack about herself, “Not too bad for a chick that’s out of shape.”
Friendly banter ensued, nothing personal or important but frivolous items that only good friends talk about.
Miles had purchased a couple beers, turning around; he began walking away from the refreshment table when Jake and Denise entered the VFW Hall.
Miles quickly glanced over at his table where Jenna sat; she appeared overtly jovial as she giddily conversed with his friends. Miles resumed his concentration on Jake and Denise, obviously aware that spotting Jake with another woman; an attractive, physically fit woman on top of that, would affect Jenna in the worst way.
Thank goodness their table was just far enough away that she might not see him, and he knew he needed to get Jenna out of the hall, and fast!
Miles’s speed increased as he rushed over to Jenna, struggling to come up with a sound excuse to leave the festivities without Jenna having a clue about Jake in attendance.
Jake appeared efficiently dressed in a luxurious suit which illustrated his financial achievements, and he carried himself like he owned the room. Denise equaled him in every regard, her brown hair in a short utterly elegant style, diamond necklace plus matching earrings while her trim, shapely figure looked poured into her exclusively designed gown of a grandiose silver hue.
_
Miles reached the table, handing Jenna her beer, in which she politely thanked him, he briskly shook his head, viewing the background for any sign of Jake.
Jenna resumed her conversation with the guy and gal, bubbly and frivolous, even chuckling while they ran through an anecdote about a peculiar mishap at Pizza Hut.
Miles couldn’t help nervously wheezing, Jenna looking up at him with a concerned grin, “Take a seat, handsome, Annie and Todd are telling the most amusing story.”
“Um, you know something, Jen…Jenna”, Miles’ said, a profound crack in his worried voice, “I think …”
Just then a brilliant excuse tapped into his head, and he forced a gentle smile unto his face, “It’s such a beautiful evening, maybe we can enjoy a little walk together outside?”
Jenna glimpsed over the couple with a dizzy expression, returning her eyes back on Miles, a playful smile inflating her plump cheeks to nearly double in size, “Oh really?”
Jenna gestured with a nod, construing some romantic blood stirring in Miles’ body, she was all in.
Jenna gulped her beer quick and noisily, gazing over Miles, especially his large gut and boyish features. The old Jenna wouldn’t have agreed to Miles’s invite, this version willingly obliged.
After all, she wasn’t with her ideal choice for a mate at the moment, big Jen couldn’t refuse a tryst with Miles; especially since she now recognized a certain attraction toward him.
Jenna held out her arm, Miles snatching her hand perhaps a little too tight.
Jenna squeaked a giggle, “Whoa, aren’t we in a hurry.”
Miles tugged Jenna upward, reaching her feet; she laid her hand over his shoulder, bringing her body against his.
“Ain’t ya going to finish your beer, pumpkin?” Jenna asked with a charming smirk.
Miles swayed his face away from Jenna, taking a slug of the brew, before placing the glass on the table. “I’ll come back to finish it”, Miles said, although the statement was far from true.
In fact he didn’t even plan on them returning, but he would have to come up with that part of the scheme as it went along.
Jenna connected her arm around Miles’s arm, energetically waving to her new friends as they took a step forward. Jenna immediately and without noticed leaned to the side, “Forgot my handbag!”
Miles swiftly and clumsily yanked his arm away from Jenna’s, grabbing her handbag with fanatical speed. “Dang, sweetie”, Jenna giggled, “You’re an anxious fella, aren’t ya!
Well don’t be so impatient, big Jen adores nice walks in the night air with handsome young men!”
“Big Jen?’ Miles questioned with a puzzled expression, as did his co-horts seated at the table.
Jenna planted her hands to her ample hips, a breezy smile hopping unto her pretty face, “I sort of fancy that nickname, like to think of it coz of my breasts….”
Jenna whimsically concluded as she tapped her stomach, “…but it seems fitting for my tummy too!”
Miles rubbed his face, turning to his friends, he trudged toward Jenna, “See y’all later…”
Miles latched his hand unto Jenna’s forearm, steering her away from the table, he humorously hummed, “Let’s get a move on, big Jen; the moonlight is waiting for us.”
Jenna and Miles disappeared into the crowd, Annie volunteering her opinion to Todd, “I guess ol Kelly’s out of the picture now, Miles seems awfully interested in big Jen.”
“I like that nickname for her”, Todd candidly stated, “Big Jen, and she used to be so vain.”
“I’m doubtful Jen is all that vain anymore, see how big her ass got”, Annie noted with a slightly catty grin.
“Another reason that nickname works for her”, Todd said between sips of his Martini, “And to think she was the prom queen. If she had an ass like that in high school….”
Annie tilted her chubby body toward her man, “Yeah, I know, but so what?”
Todd acknowledged Annie with an unprompted smile, “You’re right, honey, it’s hard to imagine her ever being thin at all!”
__
Now as it happened, a couple of the guys on the dance floor with their dates noticed Miles walking toward the exit with Jenna. The fellas chivalrously excused themselves and hurried over to the couple.
“Where you’re going?” Lane Chandler asked upon interrupting their flight out of the hall.
Ranson Wilhelm likewise questioned Miles, “Shit, it’s not even midnight, and there’s the after the dance party at Bugzy’s place!”
Miles looked through his friends, not seeing Jake anywhere around, he relaxed for the moment, and explained, “Jen and I are just going to get some fresh air….”
As Miles filled them with his charade, he came up with a crackerjack of an idea.
He could take Jenna alone somewhere just to talk, he was still committing himself to Kelly, and then later, bring her along to the after the dance party at Bugzy’s.
---
However…..
Miles finished his explanation about the fresh air business with Jenna; she slipped out of his arm, and began shuffling away.
“Where the hell you going!” Miles shouted out in a panic.
Jenna blushed, “I have to powder my nose”, she then winked.
“But you stay with the guys, I’ll be right back!”, Jenna buzzed as she moved into the direction of the ladies room.
“Oh shit!” Miles grumbled, walking through his friends.
Lane vigorously marched behind Miles, laying a hand on his shoulder and spinning him around.
“Something’s up?” Lance questioned with a funky smile, “I knew you always had the hots for the princess_.”
Miles placed his hand over Lane’s shoulder, his voice full of nervous tension “I’ll explain everything later, just find Jake O’Hanlon, keep him away from Jenna.”
“Jake O’Hanlon, the Jake O’Hanlon who kicked the shit out of me in high school!” Lane quibbled, “Are you serious?”
Ranse caught up with the guys, “What’s going on?”
Miles wiped his forehead as he backed away, “You two just find Jake and keep him away from Jenna, please!”
The guys faced each other in unison after Miles had bolted into the crowd.
“You really want to find Jake?” Ranse asked Lane, “I mean Miles is a great friend but Jake always hassled us.”
Lane pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, “Wanna see the new game I downloaded?”
__
Jenna had done her business in the ladies room, and as she walked back unto the hall’s party area, she immediately discovered Betsy and Denise walking toward the facilities.
Jenna stood frozen, but she managed to peep a disgruntle sigh.
“I know Betsy’s going to treat me like crap again, she’s with that pompous beauty queen.”
Jenna quickly turned, her face downward as she hightailed it away as fast as she could.
Zigzagging through the crowd, and unthinkingly toward the bar, she overheard a member of the VFW Hall’s staff complaining out loud, “Some rich son-of-a-bitch wants champagne!”
It didn’t dawn on Jenna that they were alluding to Jake and as she traipsed within a foot of the bar, she accidentally walked into a young man. Jenna quickly apologized, the young man very graciously conveying, “Think nothing of it, its okay.”
Jenna smiled at him, subsequently whirling around and coming face to face to with Jake.
Jenna stood in shock, unable to move or say a word.
Jake laid his eyes squarely on Jenna’s face; he gazed over her curiously, trying to make some kind of recognition.
“Hello, Jake”, said Jenna, grinning uncomfortably.
Jake’s eyes dropped from Jenna’s face, promptly surveyed her chubby body.
“What the fuck happened to you?” Jake bluntly and rather offensively asked, “You blew up like a balloon!”
Jenna blinked, for a moment her mind went completely blank.
“Well nice seeing you”, Jake crudely stated, “I have to see where’s my champagne.”
Jenna snorted, her wrath unleashed, “I thought you were going to be in New York! You’re a fucking fraud and a liar!”
“What does it matter, Jenna, it was over between us a long time ago”, Jake bluntly announced.
Jake walked away, Miles finally reaching Jenna.
“Jenna, I’m sorry, I tried keeping you two apart…” Miles regretfully warbled.
Jenna sniffled as she bestowed Miles a fragile smile, she then spun around and angrily marched toward Jake.
Jenna came to a screeching halt upon finally reaching Jake who was now accompanied by Denise.
“You two are together!” Jenna shouted, “What the fuck!”
Denise gently placed her hand over Jake’s chest, steering her eyes toward his, “Let me handle this, darling.”
Denise didn’t wait for a reply, first clearing her throat she then walked over to Jenna.
“Jenna, you got to listen to me and try to understand as bizarre as this seems, I never had any intention of hurting you.”
“You stole my boyfriend!” Jenna vehemently discharged, her voluble voice naturally drawing a crowd.
“If your relationship with Jake was rock solid this wouldn’t have happened”, Denise tried reasoning with Jenna, “I just happened to be available at the right time, call it a coincidence but it happened just as Jake was questioning his feelings for you.”
Jenna looked over Denise’s shoulder, calling out to Jake, “You liked me didn’t you? I mean we had plans, right? We were committed to each other.”
Jake rubbed the side of his face, “Really, Jen, you don’t want to answer that, it’ll only embarrass you.”
Betsy forced her way through the crowd, Jenna sternly if not furiously sneering at her, “You knew about this! Didn’t you!”
Betsy held her hand to her hips, snootily reprimanding Jenna as if she was clearly ignorant to social refinement, “You’re causing a scene Jenna, you should be ashamed of yourself raising your voice and using such foul language.”
Jenna’s jaw dropped, Miles quietly walking up behind her.
Jenna began to sob, “You’re the one who ought to be ashamed, Betsy, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Denise tilted her head, edging herself backward toward Jake, “I’m sorry, Jen, really sorry. But to be honest, I think it worked out for the best.”
Jenna gaped at Denise as tears welled in her eyes, “Why? Why did it work out for the best?”
Betsy haughtily gazed over at Miles, “Take your date home; she’s upset and making an ass out of herself.”
Miles delicately ran his hand down Jenna’s arm. “Let’s go, Jen.” his voice the sound of reason, “More arguing won’t improve the situation.”
Betsy deliberately pointed at Jenna, “You behaved in an uncouth and unlady like manner, I’ll have a few words for you tomorrow!”
“Go to_”, Jenna began another surge of angry words, but Miles dutifully grabbed her shoulders, turned her around, and pushed her toward the exit.
“I’m not done here!” Jenna loudly and irately screeched.
Miles kept right along, directing Jenna toward the exit as fast as he could.
“I know you’re hurt but there’s nothing you can do about it, so let it go.”
Jenna tensely sighed, “What the hell, Miles, what did she mean by it worked out for the best?”
A throng of onlookers gawked at the couple as Miles hurriedly led Jenna to the exit.
Jenna‘s sobbing increased, barely audible, tears rolling down her apple cheeks.
Annie, who watched a good portion of the scene with Todd, broke ranks for her man and swiftly ran to the door, opening it just as Miles and Jenna reached it.
“Take care of her”, Annie said with down-to-earth concern, “I haven’t a clue what exactly went on but she needs to be with somebody!”
Miles nodded, steering Jenna into the parking lot.
_____
“Alright, damn it!” Jenna snapped at Miles, “I’m away from your friends, I won’t embarrass you anymore!”
Miles remained calm, “You never embarrassed me once tonight, I only got you out of there because the squabble was getting out of control.”
Miles walked over to the passengers side door and opened it, Jenna sniffled a soft, awkward, “Thanks…”
“I tried keeping you apart, wanted to get you out of there and quick”, Miles said sympathetically.
“I should have tried harder”, Miles added as he fastened Jenna’s safety belt over her waist.
Jenna smiled, a brief smile that inflated her facial features, “Oh, I thought you wanted to make out with me.”
Miles opened his door and leaned in toward Jenna, “You’re welcome to vent or cry or whatever, I know you’re hurt.”
Jenna stared at Miles, who had yet boarded the car, “I ain’t going to punch you or get hysterical, you can get in the car.”
Miles nodded and maneuvered himself into the drivers seat.
“We have a 45-minute drive back to Dora’s”, Miles half-smiled, “If you need to get things off your chest, I’m here for ya.”
Jenna sighed, “I’d like to get out of this girdle, it’s killing me.”
“You’ll be home soon enough, Jen”, said Miles while pulling the car out of the parking lot.
Jenna reached over and secured Miles’s forearm, “I’m not ready to go home, can we just drive around for a while?”
“Anything you want”, Miles warmly smiled with his replied.
“You don’t happen to have a candy bar on you, do you?” Jenna asked.
“Nope, sorry Jen, but the mini-mart is just done the road a piece, I’ll get you one there.”
Jenna nodded, “I’d appreciate that, thanks, Miles.”
Nothing was said for the next few minutes, Jenna reviewing the incident in her mind, Miles unsure of what to exactly say stayed quiet, thinking it would be better if he just listened to Jenna when she was ready to talk.
Miles parked the car at the mini-mart; he turned his face toward Jenna, “I’ll be back in a_.”
Miles never finished his comment.
“Shit! Fuck! Damn!”
Miles caught the blunt of Jenna’s rage.
“You know why it worked out for the best!” Jenna vehemently announced, “Coz she thinks she’s the better woman for Jake because I got big and fat! No way would Jake settle for a smelly fat troll!”
Miles was indeed intimidated by Jenna’s outburst, and a little frightened, but he fought hard to stay calm, “Um, well, Jenna, I think Denise’s comment was a little vague.”
“What?” Jenna huffily responded, “Have you gone fucking crazy!”
Miles released his door, “I’m…I’ll get you a candy…”
Jenna sniffled, “Shit, Miles. We both know it’s true. Look how fat I got, I’m huge.”
Miles began to shake his head but stopped, “You’re terribly upset, there’s nothing I can possibly do to help you other than listen, and um, but tomorrow after you calm down, you’ll be able to see things more clearly.”
“Does that make sense?” Miles added, “I hope so.”
“No Miles”, Jenna forged a grin, “Thing is, it wouldn’t have worked out between me and Jake, he’d kick me to the curb as soon as my belly stretched out my panties and my ass….”
Miles interrupted Jenna in a soothing tone, “Stop it, Jen. You feel bad enough, there’s no need to be so critical of yourself. From what I know, Jake doesn’t deserve you.”
“That’s sweet to say, Miles”, Jenna’s comment wrought between honesty and sarcasm, “But Jake doesn’t cotton to big girls, and I’ve really porked up, in his point of view I’m just a fatty.”
Miles realized there would be no getting through to Jenna in her present state of mind, and thus he simply inquired if she needed anything else besides a candy bar.
Jenna made a goofy face and sung out loud, “Well a 2 liter of Pepsi would be nice!”
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Jenna kept complaining about the evening as they sat parked in all places the Beluga Lake High School parking lot.
Miles listened as any good friend would as Jenna rambled on about Jake, Denise and Betsy; and a collection of negative remarks about herself.
“Betsy’s my BFF, how could she be such a traitor, why didn’t she say something?” Jenna harped at one point, “And she gave all the bullshit advice, she didn’t even warn me about Jake going to the dance with Denise….”
Miles nodded at all the right moments, scarcely saying a word unless he felt it necessary.
Although he finally tried changing the topic to ease Jenna’s foul mood.
“High school was fun, wasn’t it, Jen, we had so many good times here.”
Jenna lifted the bottle of soda to her lips, chugging it down before responding.
“Yeah, you’re right; we did have a good time here. I had my own little posse and whatever was happening, whatever was going on, my approval was required. I was the queen bee, and everyone knew it. I really miss the prep rallys the most, that and hanging out on the concourse with my girls.
All types of guys coming around flirting with us, treating us like celebrities, it was all so cool.”
Jenna reminisced for a solid ten minutes with a wide smile upon her face, albeit her expression then soured, “Now look at me, no way I could fit into a cheerleading uniform.”
“Neither can any of your friends, Jenna”, Miles trying to sound like the voice of reason, but this time he failed.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Jenna sneered, “I saw many of my friends tonight, the girls in my clique, I out weigh them all!”
Miles looked downward, “..um, didn’t mean to ruffle your nerves…”
Jenna gazed over at Miles, remorsefully sighing, “I guess I was too hard on you, you were trying to help.”
Miles shrugged his shoulders, favoring her with a compassionate smile.
“It’s nearly midnight, I should really drive you home, we can continue tomorrow, okay?”
Jenna rolled her eyes, “I can’t go back to Dora’s tonight, I’m an emotional wreck. Besides, she’d be too nosy, I’m not ready to talk about this yet to Dora or most anyone.”
Miles took it as a slight compliment that Jenna was willing to share her feelings with him but not really anyone else.
Miles politely suggested, “Well you can spend the night by me, we have a spare bedroom, my mom wouldn’t mind, she thinks the world of you.”
“Your mom is just as bad as Dora_”, Jenna paused, a delicate smile reaching her lips, “No offense Miles, but yeah, she is. I don’t want to feel pressured into spilling my guts; I’m feeling very sensitive about all of this right now. And also, I sort of think your mom is trying to fix us up, and I know she means well, but …”
Jenna lightly chuckled, “…I have to sort things out in my head coz I think I’m developing feelings for you.”
Miles benignly gawked at Jenna, “You mean, like, like, not as a friend?”
Jenna reached over and playfully pinched Miles’s upper arm, “Weren’t you paying attention to what I said, I have to sort things out!”
Miles grumbled in a humorous mode, “Okay, whatever, where do you intend to stay?”
“There’s that resort, I guess they have nice rooms. Take me to an AMT machine so I can draw some cash”
Miles’s voice squeaked in surprise, “Do you know how far a drive that is!”
Jenna gestured with her thumb, “The AMT machine is right down the block at the bank, remember.”
“I meant the resort!” Miles loudly corrected himself, “If I drive you there I won’t be home until after two in the morning.”
Jenna enjoyed another gulp of cola, sighing in a funky manner she then auspiciously grinned at Miles, “Now that Betsy has been, you know, released from duty as my BFF, the title’s all yours.”
“Jenna, you’re a pain in the ass”, Miles commented with some manly gusto, “But I guess I have to do it. Right?”
Jenna looked Miles up and down, rolling her fingers over Miles’s big belly, “Who said you just had to drop me off, you could spend the night with me, you know.”
Jenna winked, subsequently purring.
Miles’s face became flushed with a startled expression.
Jenna rubbed the side of her face, “Spending the night is better than driving all the way back home, alone!” She then giggled, “C’mon, you big baby! Be like we’re having a sleepover.”
“Okay, spending the night isn’t such a bad idea”, Miles said casually, but his tone became firm, “But remember, we’re just friends, I have to remain true to Kelly.”
“You’re a dork!” Jenna bluntly stated. “But a cute one.”
Miles reached over to the car door handle, “Before we go to the machine, I wanna call Kelly, check in with her. I’ll be right back.”
As Miles’s opened the car door, Jenna laughed, “Check in with her! You’re not even really dating!
“Well, it’s the right thing to do”, Miles decisively uttered, causing Jenna to crack an inane smile, “You’re a bigger dork than I thought. Go ahead, Romero, call your woman!”
Miles existed the vehicle, slamming the door shut.
Jenna watched as Miles roamed the parking lot speaking with Kelly, scrutinizing his girth as he wobbled around the small area in which he circled.
A silly grin reached her lips, “Damn, I’d like to persevere his virtue…”
Jenna turned her face in the opposite direction, “…ain’t like Kelly has any intention on really dating him.”
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