The next morning Ethel forced herself to walk 10 minutes on the treadmill before breakfast, despite her heavy breathing and jiggling flesh. Sweating profusely, she showered and headed downstairs. She had a huge appetite, but she was determined to beat it. Though she craved eggs, bacon, and waffles with butter and syrup, she instead ate two big bowls of her mom's high fiber cereal, an apple, a glass of chocolate milk, and eight slices of toast with jelly. It was three times what she would have eaten as Karen, but at least she was eating healthy food. She selected a granola bar and another apple to tale with her to school. Making sure to pack deodorant and perfume in her book bag, she trudged the block to the bus stop, panting heavily by the time she got there. She had to turn slightly to squeeze through the bus door, and she endured some stares and catcalls as she walked to the back to sit down, but the ride to school was otherwise not so bad.
Unfortunately, Sarah was waiting for her as soon as she got off the bus. Ethel went pale-what did she want now? "uh, hi Sarah", she mumbled, as she lowered her head, "what's up?" "Just thought I'd meet you with a little gift tons o fun. Hey, you smell better today, tubby. You remember to shower today?"
