Underneath the Sycamore Tree(76)

I gape at her. “I’m not dating anyone.”

She scoffs. “Please. I told you when you first came here that Kaiden always gets what he wants. People still talk, even when he tells them not to. His teammates are worse gossips than the cheerleaders.”

Pressing my lips together, I glance at her friends. They’re invested in our exchange, along with a few stragglers. Kaiden ditched after lunch to celebrate some guy’s birthday from the team. He told me he’d pick me up after school.

“Kaiden and I—”

“You sit in on practices,” she cuts me off, one perfectly sculpted brow raising. “Nobody else is allowed to do that. He’s been sitting with you at lunch with some of his teammates. They’ve practically adopted you.”

“That’s because we live together.”

“Like I said—” She steps closer. “His teammates like to gossip. Every time he flirts with you, touches you, or looks at you a certain way, we’ll know about it. And come on, Mouse. You look at him like he’s your savior.”

How does she know about his nickname to me? Up until a couple months ago, he never sat with me at lunch much less spoke to me during school hours. The first time my table was full, I was so shocked I just sat there and stared at all the guys picking on each other.

Don’t look so surprised, Mouse.

That’s what he told me.

I sigh. “We’re friends, Rachel.”

“With benefits, knowing Kaiden.”

I don’t grace her with a reply.

“All I’m saying,” she tells me, “is that you should lay off the carbs and participate more in gym. Regardless of you confirming or denying what everyone already assumes, it’s no secret you’ve gained weight.”

The confidence Kaiden gives me every time he spares me a glance, no matter how long or short, simmers and disappears with every jab Rachel throws at me. She wants to see me defeated, just like any mean girl does. She feeds off my reaction, especially if it makes me the inferior of us.

She warned me she wouldn’t play nice if I became true competition. I don’t think she understands my dynamic with Kaiden though. I’m not sure he and I do either.

Rachel stares at my face, tilting her head and taking in the layered pieces of my pixie. “I mean, it could be the new hair. Unless there’s another reason you’re packing on pounds…”

She cannot seriously be insinuating that I’m pregnant. “Why can’t you mind your own business? It doesn’t matter if or why I gained weight.”

Her eyes roll, but she relents. “Whatever you say, Mouse. Give Kaiden my best. He should really return my texts. I miss him.”

Grinding my teeth, I walk out the front doors leaving their loud laughter behind me.

I noticed that my clothes fit me differently, especially my jeans. It isn’t my waist that the denim hugs tighter, it’s my legs. And despite trying not to let it get to me, my reflection does look different. My cheeks are fuller, the bones less defined, and my chin is slightly rounder than I’m used to.

At first, I thought I looked better. Healthier. I can still fit into my clothes, so it isn’t a huge weight change, but it’s an unwarranted one. My diet hasn’t been anything out of the ordinary. If anything, my appetite is limited thanks to the pulsing pain.

If people are starting to notice at school, what does everyone at home think? Kaiden has seen me naked more and more lately, and he talks about how much he loves my body. He’ll trace my slight curves and caress every inch of skin like he can’t help it. Never once has he commented on me looking different.

When I slip into his waiting car, he immediately notices my mood. “What happened?”

“Your friends like to talk.”

“They’re idiots.”

I stare at my hands that are folded in my lap. “Do you think I’m getting fat?”

“What the fuck kind of question is that?”

“One I want you to answer honestly.”

His reply is immediate. “You’re not fat, Mouse. Not even close. Whoever said that is an asshole that I’ll happily deal with.”

Part of me wants to rat out Rachel, but I don’t want to deal with the repercussions. When you have little energy to begin with, you don’t want to waste it on the wrong people.

“It doesn’t matter,” I murmur.

“You’re upset. It matters.”

I sigh loudly. “Things have been weird with me lately. I know I’ve filled out, but I didn’t think anyone really noticed.”

He’s silent for too long, staring out the windshield with his hand twitching on the gearshift. “You don’t think that you’re…?”

I smack him. “Seriously? Do you not remember when I snapped at you two weeks ago because I was moody and you bought me chocolate and tampons when you found out I was bleeding to death? Or two months ago when I couldn’t get out of bed because my period triggered a flare and you gave me your Mom’s heating pad?”

He raises his hands. “Shit. Sorry.”

I shake my head and stare out the window. “I’m just…angry. I didn’t mean to snap, but I don’t want people commenting on my weight. I used to be accused of anorexia when I lost too much from my disease. Now…”