This choice: Classes are normal, but my appetite asserts itself at lunch • Go Back...Chapter #5Cafeteria Chowdown by: WQ97   I was still stuffed from my big breakfast when I got to school for third period. But already I was thinking about lunch and what my next meal would be. Even just sitting in Mrs. Kent’s Algebra class, my focus was wavering away from quadratic equations towards burgers, burritos and chicken. When the bell rang for lunch, I could hardly wait before making my way towards the cafeteria.
Unlike most high school cafeterias, Hesper High School was known for having a range of unhealthy lunch options. In fact, the cafeteria could draw clear comparisons to a food court at the mall brimming with fast food outlets. Big mouthwatering cheeseburgers, juicy cheesesteak sandwiches and hot slices of pizza were just some of the many high-calorie meals that were available to students. It also had a drink dispenser with a variety of sugary drinks and the kind of cup sizes that put Polyburger to shame. Whilst most students just brought their lunch to school as a healthier option, it was a marvel that none of the students whose diet consisted of cafeteria food had suffered a heart attack. Each day you’d see our school’s O-line chow down on double cheeseburgers and fries or an entire cheesy pizza, their bellies poking out of their varsity jackets. Jubbly girls guzzling down sodas and milkshakes, their muffin tops spilling over their strained jeans amid the occasional button pop. Look around the room and you’d see two or three dozen overweight students stuffing their faces, from the small chubby types to the larger boys in the room.
I wasn’t sure quite what had come over me. Maybe it was Dmitri’s words about girls preferring big guys ringing in my ears. Perhaps it was the smiles on the faces of the bigger students munching on loaded hot dogs or drinking from extra large bottles of sodas. Or maybe it was my latent gluttony, the hunger that was inspired me to indulge myself at breakfast, speaking to me. Because for some reason, all I could suddenly feel was a craving for a big cafeteria meal.
I joined Dmitri in line at the cafeteria. It wasn’t any surprise that he would take to their meal selection. He helped himself to a couple of cheeseburgers, a large serving of fries and a pair of deep fried chicken wings. I decided to match him, and proceeded to load up my plate. Two double cheeseburgers, a large fries, a loaded hotdog with bacon and onions, and a slice of pizza. Dmitri looked at my choice of lunch and nodded with surprise and approval.
“Nice, Con. You taking my advice to fill out or something?”
“Nah,” I replied. “I’m just really hungry today.”
In actuality, this wasn’t the case. I was still full from breakfast this morning, but I still felt the urge to eat.
For good measure, I also filled up an extra large cup of soda to wash everything down.
As we took our seats, I stared at the massive pile of food I had displayed in front of me. There was no way I could possibly eat all of that.
“What’s the matter, Con?” Dmitri asked me playfully. “Eyes bigger than your belly?”
I don’t know why, but part of me took that as a challenge. A challenge I wanted to seize with both hands.
Without further ado, I grabbed one of my burgers and began to munch down. My tastebuds came alive to the taste of beef patty, cheese and ketchup dancing on my tongue. It only took me a couple of minutes to finish one burger before I eagerly grabbed the next one with renewed gusto. Even Dmitri looked surprised at me. My stomach was starting to grow tight and full from eating so much, but I didn’t care. All I could focus on was eating my pile of greasy goodness. It only took me another ten minutes to finish the rest of my meal. Dmitri and the rest of our friends at the table could only look at me with their mouths agape.
“I’m gonna get seconds.” I declared, to the surprise of everyone else.
“Wow Conrad,” said our friend Rebecca. “What’s gotten into you?” It’s true, my renewed appetite was a surprise to me as well, but I just couldn’t help myself. I ignored the stares from my friends and proceeded to fill up on some chicken wings and a burrito. By the time lunch was finished, I was truly stuffed from eating so much tasty food washed down with a half-litre of soda.
“More than a little hungry.” Dmitri said, rubbing his belly. I was doing the same, stifling down small belches desperately escaping my strained stomach.
I remained stuffed for the rest of the day, wondering how much this would last. But all I could think of was how hungry I was for the next meal. I knew that if I kept this up, I would soon end up as big as Dmitri and maybe even as fat as the Football jocks. The real question for me was how long that would take me?  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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