A Freaking Size 4

"Size 4! I'm wearing a freaking size 4! Can you believe it?" Tiffany reached for the surprised saleslady at The Deb Shoppe and squeezed her as hard as she could, which wasn't all that hard. A few months ago she could have serious damage to the older woman but ever since she'd started using Fat Off, she seemed to be losing energy and strength along with the extra blubber around her waist.

"You look adorable," the clerk assured her. "You have a stunning figure, young lady."

"Thank you," Tiffany replied, her eyes glued to the full-length mirror. She did have a stunning figure and it was showed off to perfection in the skin tight dress poison green dress that she'd be wearing to the Schuyler Square High School prom. Maybe she'd wear the same dress when she married Rex. It wasn't traditional and she was sure that it would give her aunt a coronary but so what? She was the bride, not Aunt Mavis. "I'll take it," she told the clerk.

Tiffany slipped out of the dress and pulled on her clothes. They were too loose, just like everything else she owned. She'd have to do some more shopping. A wave of dizziness hit her and Tiffany sat down, putting her hand to her head. Time for lunch. Her blood sugar must be low.

After paying for the dress, Tiffany headed for the food court where she bought three double cheeseburgers, a large order of fries and an extra large vanilla shake. She was about to bite into the first burger when a shadow fell over her table. "Hello, Tiffany."

Tiffany looked up and saw Mindy Cooper standing next to her table. "What do you want?" Tiffany asked through a mouthful of meat and cheese.

"I want to help you," Mindy replied. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

"Do I have a choice?" Tiffany polished off her first cheeseburger and picked up the second.

"Tiffany, I spoke with the chemist who made Fat Off. You need to stop using it immediately."

"Yeah, right," Tiffany said, popping a wad of fries into her mouth.

"I'm not kidding. He thinks it's probably safe but probably really isn't good enough when you're talking about your health."

Tiffany glared across the table at Mindy. "What do you care? It's really none of your business."

"Maybe not but since I work for Kutrate Kemicals, I feel obligated to warn you that you're playing a very dangerous game with your health. You might be ruining your metabolism permanently!"

"So what? I'm wearing a size 4 dress to the prom! Who cares about permanently?"

"You should. Permanently is a long time."

"Look, Mindy, I've been fat for all of my life and now I'm  not. Can't you please let me enjoy myself? Once I'm married I'll stop using Fat Off, I promise. But until then just leave me alone and butt out."

"When are you getting married?"

"The week after I graduate from high school."

"Tiffany, you're playing a dangerous game," Mindy warned.

"Hey, Tiffany!" Jennifer Clark came up to the table. "I tried that stuff and lost five pounds! I need some more. It stinks but who cares?"

Mindy stared at Tiffany. "You aren't sharing Fat Off, are you?" she hissed.

"Just with Jennifer," Tiffany mumbled. "Look, I promised I'd stop and I'm almost out of Fat Off anyway so calm down and go away, OK?"

"This isn't over," Mindy warned. "You've left me no choice but to go to your father."

"Good luck on that one," Tiffany replied. "When you figure out who my father is, let me know."

"I'll do that," Mindy said. "As a matter of fact, I'll d that right now."