Chunky Nerd in Fall (Patreon)

It's been over a year since that awkward run in with Alison, and you hadn't seen her once. You assumed she transferred to a different school, even wondering if your stare was an impetus, unsure if this absurd notion was born of narcissism or self-hatred. That is, until you were walking by the dining hall the week before Thanksgiving.

Because the school took the week off, they were having a special Thanksgiving dinner the week beforehand, and there was an uncharacteristic line out the door, no doubt caused by the rumor that the culinary school students were debuting some revolutionary Turkey-frying method that was going to be published in some major food-news publication. Sticking out from the line of student athletes was something short, wide, and red on top.

Darker, longer red hair falling on larger rounder shoulders. The fabric of her leggings was stretched so thin that her equally strained panties were visible. You thought it must be a new student, you must just be seeing what you want to see, when, once again, she seems to sense your gaze and turns her head, and, once again, you're helpless as you lock into her big green eyes, hardly noticing how they've become slightly obscured by growing cheeks.

This time you see recognition and shame in her eyes, recognizing you as someone who was a classmate a year and a half ago, and shame at how she herself was hardly recognizable. A good 200lbs heavier than you last saw her, leaning against the railing for support, and standing in line for a legendary feast. She surely was not standing in line for a light salad, to pump the breaks and stop gaining weight, but to stuff herself with rich holiday goodies to her heart's content and continue her momentum.

This time you smile, give a polite wave, and keep going, unsure if you saw her start wave back. Later that night, your roommate tells you about some humungous redhead who split open her pants while bending over to get her third slice of pumpkin pie. He laughs, describing how insanely her thighs shook and jiggled as she speed-waddled out of the dining hall. You pretend to laugh along.