Changing to be Popular

People like me don't run. Unless they enjoy these painful stabs in their sides, maybe. I, for one, do not. Why was I doing this? 

It didn't help that I was getting side eyes from so many passing people on the street. Like, God forbid a chubby girl to try to get in shape. 

I stopped, panting, fighting to catch my breath. Otani came to a stop too- but he jogged in place. That show-off. "Come on Maru!" He said, chipperly. "Let's go!"

 "Haven't we done enough for today?" I protested. He looked over at me, patiently waiting. So I sighed, straightening.

"Just one more lap around the block," he promised. That felt like an eternity. 

As we ran, I let him get in front of me- partially because I was slow, but partially because I wanted to look at him. 

That fool liked running. His face was flushed, but he was smiling. A light sweat wet his bangs and his leg muscles rippled with each step. It was hot. 

I was tired of pretending to look at him for a book. I was looking at him 'cause he was so refreshing on the eyes. And I mean, every girl that turned their head to look at him surely thought so too. 

He hadn't ended up doing my makeup earlier. After I said I wanted to change my body, he had instantly bounced up, and half dragged me outside. So here I was, in this blazing heat. 

Beauty is pain, as they say. 

When we stopped, he handed me a bottle of water, and I chugged it greedily. "Lesson two- always drink water, ok?" he said as I drank. "It has lots of benefits."

"This isn't easy," I gasped out, stupidly. 

"I know. And honestly, you're doing really well, since this is your first time. I'm glad I could guide you."

No, Maru. Don't think about that in a sexual context. 

We walked back to my house. I talked to him, and it was smooth and easy because of his magnetic demeanor. He told me his parents both were CEOs of respective companies, so he had a good bit of money, but not much interaction with his parents. 

"Mine are both gone a lot too," I empathize. "I haven't seen my dad in months." 

He smiled at me, softly. At that moment I was sure. I was falling hard for this guy.

My thighs burned as I walked up the stairs. That run had been a lot, and I was starving. "Want some instant ramen?" I offered. 

He looked outraged. Was I really that inferior for being poor? "No," he breathed. 

I shot him a look. "Suit yourself," I said, pouring water into a cup. 

And then he knocked the cup out of my hand. It spattered in the sink. "What in the world?" I exclaimed. "That was perfectly good ramen!"

He shook his head, looking repulsed. "Maru, I know ramen is cheap, but the effects on your body are much more drastic than you know."

I rolled my eyes. "I just ran, like fifteen miles. I think I'll be fine."

He sighed. "First of all, that was just over one mile. And that didn't even burn half of the calories in this ramen." He pointed at the label. "Four hundred forty five."

My stomach gurgled, and I was too hungry to be embarrassed. "Okay, but I'm like, starving."

"I know," he said, going to my cupboard. He opened the door before I could stop him. "Wait," I started to say, but it was too late. My snack supply was looming over him. 

I hadn't known ramen was so bad, but I definitely knew about the processed candies. I loved them so much! "I'm sorry!" I squeezed my eyes together, as if he was going to hit me. 

He touched my shoulder lightly, leaning in close to whisper. "I like chocolate too. Eat it in moderation, okay?"

I nodded, my voice too weak to speak. My knees threatened to collapse- and not 'cause of the run.

He didn't say anything. I heard the door of the refrigerator open. "You don't have much produce," he murmured. "But I can work with this cabbage."

Ew, I thought. I left him in the kitchen. I changed out of my sweaty clothes, pulling a tank top and some joggers on. 

When I marched into the small kitchen, I was hit in the face. In a food way- there was the sweetest blend of flavors in the air. I couldn't help but drool. Was this some sort of preppy rich boy takeout?

Only, Otani was busy at the stove. "Hey Maru, it's almost ready," and then he stopped short. He took me in- tight shirt stretching over me, flushing face, ravenously hungry expression. He coughed, and looked away. 

He wouldn't shift to face me. "Give me a minute." He didn't say, 'the soup.'

So I sat at the table waiting. This whole day had felt unreal. It felt like I was some sort of main character, where every event fell into place. Perfect. 

He tossed a kitchen towel over his shoulder. I wasn't drooling just because of the soup anymore- that was so damn sexy. 

He set the bowl of soup in front of me, wrapping both arms around me, when really he only needed one. He froze there for a second. 

I guess this is why guys loved housewives so much. 

Otani must've loved whispering, because he breathed, "I hope you like it, Maru."

It was warm and nice and cozy. But with his arms around me I couldn't eat this soup, and it was calling my name. He must've seen the craving in my features, because he moved his arms away. 

I devoured that soup. 

It was even better than it smelled- a blend of flavors so extravagant, it belonged on a menu. Or maybe that was because I was tired. Or maybe because he made it. 

I drank the last sips, wondering how he had achieved this with only a couple seasonings and a nearly empty fridge. 

"Tasty," I sighed when I was done and full. 

He smiled at me. "See? You can eat good meals that are healthy, too."

I nodded, a bit reluctantly. "You'll have to come over again and teach me your recipe sometime."

 He blushed, saying, "Of course." 

I smiled smugly at his face. When did I become a flirt?