Page 36 of Savage for You
“Shut up! You and your friend look like Oompa Loompa’s. He shouldn’t be with you! Why don't you go back under the rock where you came from and leave Rocky to someone who deserves to be on his arm. You aren’t deserving of him; I don't know what he sees in you. You should really leave Rocky and the other football players to us,” she screeches.
“Wow, is that all you have to say? I don’t belong on his arm? Why? The only comeback you have is to talk about my looks? Well, let me break it down for you, Addison. I love my curves. As a matter of fact, so does Rocky. I happen to think I’m beautiful inside and out. I would never mention someone’s looks as a degrading remark. It’s not a fucking comeback. Being fat isn’t worse than being a horrible human being. You have no idea what I have been through. You don't even know me as a person, you only see me as someone standing in your way. You thought that by calling me out, it would make him see you as someone more than a friend, because you think you are prettier than me because of the size of your pants.
“That really is a shame. That’s on you, though. I’m a fucking delight. Also, you need to watch your fucking mouth when you talk about my friend. I don't know who raised you, but I hope your parents take a long, hard look in the mirror, and if they know the kind of daughter they’ve raised, well, shame on them too. You can talk about me, call me names. Do your worst, but if you think for one second, that I’ll let you talk about my friend… You. Are. Wrong. Come near her again and I promise I'll give you something to talk about.”
They all gasp, and as I start to pull Autumn away, I stop and look over my shoulder to tell her one last thing.
“And Addison, you fucking wish we looked like Oompa Loompa’s because you know damn well, we look bomb as fuck. And one more thing, if you touch my man again, I will wipe that stupid smirk off your face. Stay the fuck away from him. He. Is. Mine.”
I smile at them, and as we walk away, I turn to Autumn and ask, “Are you okay?”
“You stuck up for me?” she says, but it comes out more like a question than a statement.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my friend.”
She has tears in her eyes as she says, “I’ve never had anyone in my corner who would stand up for me before you.”
“Oh honey, please know that no matter what size you are, you are beautiful inside and out. I look at you and see a total knockout. You need to understand something, when people can only call you fat as a way to degrade you, I need you to remember that’s all they have. You are more than your pant size. You are kind, beautiful, and smart too. If someone as a friend or romantic partner can’t see that then it's their loss, not yours. Let me tell you something else, the boys who made fun of you in high school will all be in your DMs because baby you are gorgeous!” I say, and she smiles.
“Thank you. Thank you for sticking up for me, for being kind, and making me feel like I'm more than my weight. I didn’t know that was the same Addison my brother used to talk about. She‘s a horrible person.” She shakes her head in disbelief.
I scoff. “She’s Regina George before getting hit by a bus.”
We start laughing and I wrap my arm around her shoulder and say, “Let’s go see some hot football players.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and we walk towards the field.
fourteen
Montana
We’re sitting on the benches watching the boys play—and they’re playing really well. I see Rocky out there in his element and he is so remarkable. I’ve been watching the sports reports on him, and they say he is neck and neck for the Heisman Trophy with Ian Maye from University of North Carolina.
The ball snaps and he takes two steps back, and fakes the pass off to Kellen, the tight end. Rocky cocks his arm back, looks around and sees Xander takes off to the left and another player to the right and throws the pass to number fifty-eight. He catches it and takes off for the end zone. I guess that’s the last play before practice ends.
I know Coach Mackenzie—he and my dad were the best of friends. He understands that I don't want people to know who I am, so him and his daughter Logan have been keeping my secret. Being a longtime family friend, he’s more like an uncle. Logan is the cheer coach here and acts like the big sister I’ve always wanted. She's not that much older than me, but she’s always there when I need her.
I see the wannabe plastics and they sneer at me. I can’t believe some people could be so cruel to someone they don't even know. To be able to look at someone and rip their self-esteem to shreds with no remorse based on their appearance is wild to me. What happened to being a girl's girl?
I roll my eyes, turn to Autumn and tell her to come on. We start walking down the bleachers towards Logan and the other cheerleaders. I see eyes on us from the football players, and other than Talon, no one knows that I know Logan. We are approached by the three muskrats, or whatever they are called.
“What do you two bitches want?” Addison sneers.
Her two friends— Whose names I learn are Sasha and Harper—are standing by with their arms crossed. When I look at Harper, she doesn’t say anything but not saying anything is just as bad as name calling in my book. Sasha’s giving us the bombastic side-eye, like we’re supposed to be scared of them.
“Not that it's any of your business, but I’m here to see Logan.”
“So, what? You're going to tell my coach that I don't like you?”
“No, she should know that the girls on her squad are bitches, but I can handle myself. I don’t need anyone to do my dirty work. She's actually a family friend. We grew up together.” I smirk at her.
“Monti! What are you doing here!” Logan calls.
“Just watching my man and Talon play.” I smirk.
“Yeah, how are you and Rocky doing?”
“We’re great. Oh, Logan, this is my friend Autumn, she’s Rocky’s little sister,” I say and look over to see the blood drain from Addison's face.
“I think you need to talk to some of your cheerleaders about body shaming. I won't say names, but we grew up accepting people for who they are, not what they look like.”