The world still spins relentlessly, but I am not that same old girl who gets pissed off seeing these flappy flabs; in fact, today I got up from my pink duvet to see Nat snoring softly in her electric blue sleeping bag. Without disturbing her, I got up from my squeaky bed and looked at my curves which mocked me, but today I applauded myself for being courageous and smiled back at the fat that loosely fell around.

Back there when I was in Sandy Street, with all the wonderful sports and fun we had, I never wanted to go for a jog and neither did they. Thus, I grew to become a lazy bag. So, I pushed myself for a run. As I was about to go out, Nat stirred in her bed; it seems like she is a very light sleeper. 

I waited for her go back to sleep, but she propped on her elbow and stared at me, then looked at her surrounding, fell back to her bed, snoring. I laughed at her gesture which was super cute; I guess my laugh came out a little stronger than expected because Nat sprang back up.

"Who are you? Where am I?"

"Seriously...What are you?"

"Oh... hi... I slept so well which loved me back and me ..."

"Wait, what?"

"Ugh, nothing... hi..."

"Hi, back to you sleeper... I am going for a jog; prepare breakfast by then."

"Wait, I am coming."

"Oh, I never thought you as that type"

"Well, it would be better than preparing food."

"Now I get it, lazy girl."

"Plus, I want to see your neighborhood."

"Yeah, pull up another excuse! Come on."

We both moved slowly at first and showed her around most of the places and then we trotted silently.

I watched the beautiful sky which was glazed in baby pink and Amber; a delicious combination and slowly as the time rolled, tiny sparks of golden was climbing up from where the sun. I couldn't help but admire the beauty of it. Listening to the murmurs and the buzzing, I was completely immersed in the splendor, and my thoughts got disrupted when I was stopped abruptly by someone and I turned to see Nat holding onto my hand. 

The headphones lay down and she was looking ahead; it then struck me that I was again in his territory. I looked around and yes the surroundings were familiar; so, I tried to turn back and run, but before I could, the boys were near us. I could feel Nat shaking and being the lazier me, it was minutes later I realized why she was shaking. Oh my god!

"Well... you have brought company. Mark, I assume you remember her."

"O how can't I Den; she was a pearl that I lost from my fingertips."

"What is wrong with you Den?" I bellowed on top of my voice, making him shudder in the intensity of the voice. But, I was trying to gain attention. It was too early; even then I could see people in their jogging dress littered around the street. Oh, only if someone will come here.

"Well, she must have said plenty of me; and by now you must hate me more."

"I have never had any emotion to you until now; you tried to abuse her and you are mocking the situation?"

"Believe me; I was young back then. I have never done anything like that after that incident. Believe me, Angela."

"I don't know what to believe anything from you. Please leave us alone."

"Ah, you came knocking in twice; maybe we can have some coffee."

"Well, stick it up to your ass."

"What the heck; you never learn... do you?" he was closer to me and by every single second, Nat was uncontrollably shaking.

"What is going on in here? Why is this girl shaking here? Oh, ever since you moved to my precious locality... you have never kept your hands off mischief's Mr. Loren."

"It's Den, sir; and what more have I done than those petty street boys?"

"Girls, was he molesting you?"

"If that's another word for bullying then yes officer, he is." I calmly answered back gaining murder glares from Den or whatever.

"Do you want me to press charges against you?"

"You loud mouth, I didn't..."

"Now... now, go on girls..." the officer actually said that to the boys that rounded on us. I stifled a laugh when I saw their faces. "And you Dear, you should reduce some weight. My daughter..." my face was the color of tomato because Den was still standing a few feet away glaring at me and he heard what the inspector said. "What are you waiting for; I would be delighted to press charges against you lot... do you want me to? Yes, they are some bad breath in Crimson Square... well, yes, to you my dear, my daughter she was about the size of you and now she is suffering from something. You look like my daughter... and I don't want you to end up like her."

"Yes, thank you, officer."

"Good day ladies." Thank God, that burly man moved away jingling his keys and whistling a tune. What a man!

"Nat, you ok?"

"I guess... the look of those two was enough to give me a panic attack and if it was not for you, I would have..."

"Come on, I don't know why I am attracted to this place; last time I came here, they were about to do some nasty job and if it was not for Alex, I don't know that would have happened to me. That officer, kind of look familiar, don't you think?"

"I don't know... I haven't acquainted with anyone here dear. I am new; remember."

"Hmm..."

We walked back enjoying the breeze and without even realizing, we reached the fitness gym of Jack. And as we reached there, I recalled what happened to Jack and grimaced at it. Jasmine walked out sulkily and Alex came out with her. Seeing my face, he lit up like a thousand lanterns and smiled at me.

"Hello, Jas..."

"Hey, I was starting to go. Good thing I saw you... hello, Nat. we should meet after my shift ends. We could have a girl's night out and help my mind off from the guilt."

"You have nothing to feel guilty about, you did nothing wrong."

"I am so late, goodbye." With that, she walked away looking down.

"Oh, poor thing"

"Yeah, I lose one whole pack of tissues for her. Jack was smiling at her through his video call, but nothing lightened her mood. So, Nat, how do you like it here so far?"

"Absolutely amazing with her; otherwise boring"

"Cool, let's kick off for a bit and then I would have to go to school. Aren't you coming, Alex?"

"No, I need to check on Jack because his doctor called and said he has recovered and needs to talk about something. So, you would be alone in there."

"Hmm... Annie would be there, so I won't be in so much danger."

"Great..."

Well, the gray gloom stared at me as I entered the school, but the funny part was the starting of many amused faces. I looked at them bemused and smiled at some. Some of the people smiled at me and some turned from my face and I shrugged at their rudeness.

As I got to my locker, I met my bubbly gang. I was delighted to see them there waiting for me. On seeing me, they just screamed and laughed and hugged me.

"I heard what you did with some chick to those mean girls and I am so proud of you."

Now I understood why I got a different approach by many smiling amused faces in the hallway. Tina amusingly screamed while talking about the little mall incident while dramatically waving her hands which were painted sparkly pink again. Actually, she was painted pink everywhere. She looked super cute with her pink highlight in that hair, pink leggings with crushed pink halter top, anyway she was a pink candy walking through the streets. Everyone looked pretty chick and I looked at Annie, who was comparatively quiet.

"Alright, spill..." Miley helped me with that part and I knew instantly that everyone felt the same way about her. She started crying and I knew there was something wrong. She looked at me and fell to my hands and cried loudly.

"Annie... Shh... Shh..."

"No... my brother... that bastard... he..."

"What did he do?"

"He..."

She looked in my eyes and looked at all of us. She once again looked at me and fainted with a thud. The only thing I remembered was the people I kept pushing away from her.

I never thought that emotional imbalance will bring you down, like on all fours. I have had my times, and I have reacted so differently to every situation but to see your best friend in such a position was like something taken away from you. And she reacted pretty badly. She fainted on me; I have never experienced that one. The ruptures I was in made me fall back on to the wall while the nurse attended to her. I know there won't be so big a ruckus but knowing her brother how infuriating he can get, I am panicking for the worst.

The feeling of being emotionally so sad and mentally so deprived made me hungry; my first thought was no...no... not again, but I couldn't help it. So, I walked to the cafeteria and ordered one big doughnut with chocolate on top and that had crème and jelly inside, it was like a death pack for me considering how I am trying to reduce my weight. But, the feeling of so lost and emotional roller coaster made me want to have it. I don't know why but I have heard that certain people do have this crazy disease of eating too much when you are tensed or under stress. I am devastated.

There was no sign from any of her parents, and I wondered why it might be. The school faculty sent her to the nearest hospital and I get to join her; because for a split second when she got up with a numb expression, she held on to my hand like a little girl. She just held my hand like her life depended on it, thus, I stayed with her.

Nat and Alex, came when I texted them what happened and being the good old Alex, he stood there by my side, patting and occasionally holding my hands listening to me while I cried and munched. After I finished my third doughnut and crying half a dam, I felt nauseated and vomited it all out. Feeling like crying again, I held Nat's hand and cried to Alex's shoulder. I was so out of place.

Finally, after three hours of waiting and my emotional drama, I was summoned inside her room by a tough looking slim man, whom I assumed was her doctor. He looked at me disapprovingly; standing by a glass door judging me and my body; but, I didn't care. I just wanted to know what happened to her.

"You both seriously need to lose weight; do you know what is happening to your body? See your sister; she is suffering too much because she couldn't handle something tiny."

"Hold it there, whoever you are. Are you here to lecture me and my best friend about how we look or are you here to attend your patient regardless of their figure?"

"I am a dietitian, I have been appointed by her doctor because of her ill-health. She needs to be tended because she is having a mineral deficiency, protein deficiency and her pulse rate are low. Also, her blood count is low. She is in great trouble because all of this makes her immune system weak. She said she has often felt dizziness and fainting. Have you not had such symptoms?"

"You did a great job; please move as I need to talk to her alone. And no, I have never had any of those symptoms."

"How rude..."

"Sir, look...she is asking for me, please."

"Go." He said scornfully and I didn't wait to irritate him more to my pleasure; since Annie was anxiously waiting for me in her bed.

"Thank you," I muttered under my breath. I didn't want that man to hear my gratitude. As I slid through the glass door, Annie slowly sat on her bed leaning on two pillows. The nurse smiled at me and walked out closing the door behind her. I was nervous and wrung my hands; I don't know why I was acting this strange since this is not my trouble, plus, I don't know what really happened. Annie smiled weakly and held my hands in her.

"Hi, sweetie"

"Hi sweet pea; I am sorry for being a burden to you."

"Oh, you are my best friend and friends are not a burden," I said that with a smile and she started crying, though she tried hard not to.

"Really... that is so cool, I was never called a best friend in my entire life."

"See, you are not a burden to me."

"Oh... I don't remember when the last time was, I had my panic attack. But, today when I saw you and remembered what happened yesterday, made my blood boil and I guess that's why I fainted."

"What happened yesterday?"

"I was..."

"Hello there ladies, sorry there...mmm"

"Angela,"

"Yes, Angela, it's nice to meet you; but, it is time for me to check her blood pressure. She had a very nasty panic attack. I asked her what caused her the trouble, but she won't tell. She was muttering your name, though. Good thing that you are here now. And she had high blood pressure at the time she was hospitalized. Did she have any medical report prior to this and any medical history in your family?"

"Well, I don't know... you can ask her or when her parents come over."

"My parents won't come." Her answer was more like a whisper. But the doctor was staring at me with a shocked expression.

"I am sorry; I thought you are her parent."

"Seriously" 'what in the world' I was so angry at this guy here. Her parent, my foot!

"Gee... I am sorry." I wanted to say, stick your sorry up your ass but he quickly turned to her. "You have the mineral deficiency and your blood count is low. You are recommended to be on watch with a strict diet and as for your exercise, you are not stable enough. I hope you have met your dietician, Mr. Rufus."

I had to laugh at that name and my outburst made this funny looking doctor's face turn red. What is with this hospital doctors?

"Oh, my brother may look quite synonyms to his... uh, name; actually his name is Donald Trump Rufus. Oh, where are my manners, I am Douglas Trump Rufus." I knew these two were related. Each passing seconds made my heart turn cold with impatience because I want to hear what she wanted to tell me. But this funny looking doc is not moving. He was droning about something non-stop.

"Hello, doc." I snapped at him, waking him from his talking trance.

"Well, I have to continue with my rounds. Goodbye and Donald will meet you in a while, stay tight Annie."

As he walked out, I figured he had swag in his walk which made us laugh out loud.

"Well, that guy was one of a kind."

"Have you met his brother? You will run away."

"Oh, I just met him outside and he gave me quite a lecture."

"Tough guy"

"Yes; well, tell me what happened last night?"

"Ah! My father was home last night and we were having a pretty tight dinner. Some phone call erupted making Den walked away. He talking for a while and came back. But, my father was furious of him walking away from the dinner table. He made quite a ruckus and then Den slapped my father which was returned with my father's black leather belt. Den, furious beyond the limit, pulled out his pen knife and..."

"Well, get out; Story time later, I have to plan and make notes with her before I need to leave."

"What is wrong with you? Can't you see me talking with her? We need another ten minutes alone...please."

"Timing is very important and I can know it from you that you are not valuing it. I have ten minutes before my shift gets over and I need to go for a date. I am sorry, I need to care her. As, I am on limited time schedule and lots of valuable patients with people who 'care'; so, it is better if you leave"

"Can't you be a little more polite and decent in your manners?"

"You and your loud mouth, get out before I push you out which I doubt I can do without any help."

"Really... are you even for real? Wait till your superior walks in with a complaint in his hands, plus, I hope you will be candy to someone's eye which I highly doubt."

"Huh, girls line up on me... this is my eleventh date this month, you don't have any idea."

"Yeah, I have no idea how girls could handle your ruff...ruff... oops."

He stared at me alarmingly and I blew him a kiss before walking out. He said something in protest but I didn't hear him.

By what Annie told me until that Rufus walked in, I knew it was something to do with her family and nothing serious. I breathed in easing my mind. Why not a doughnut? That was my first thought as I blew out a long sigh. Alex came to my aid and held my hands asking me to stop shaking. I smiled and said doughnut. 

His laugh was the sugar on my doughnut.