Such a Pretty Face by Annabelle Costa
Chapter 2
I eat my lunch at work every day alone in the break room.
The break room usually gets crowded around noon, so I eat at a quarter past eleven or so. It’s not that I’m trying to avoid other people, but I just haven’t connected with anyone else at work. And the truth is, I’m shy. People at my company are so cliquey and I’m not brave enough to invite myself along when they go out for drinks after work. I wish just once they would invite me without having to ask.
I dislike eating in front of other people. I always feel like I have to eat a smaller amount than anyone else is eating, or else people are judging me. I’d like to say it’s entirely in my head, but I have gotten enough comments over the years to know it’s not.
While I’m chewing on my turkey sandwich, a text message comes in on my phone. It’s from Camille. It’s a photograph of a man in his thirties with a pleasant smile and a slightly receding hairline.
Cute, right?
I suppose this is Jack. And yes, He is cute. I wonder if she showed him a picture of me or if she was lying.
I’m at the tail end of finishing up my sandwich when two of the women I work with come into the break room. Candace, who is the office manager, and Robyn, who works in the marketing division. I work in IT—the only woman who does.
“Hi, Emily!” Candace chirps. She’s very friendly. It’s her job to be friendly, and she does it well. “How are you today?”
“Fine,” I say. “How are you?”
“Great!” she says. “Eric surprised me yesterday by booking a B&B for the weekend in Vermont. I’m so excited!”
A year ago, Candace got married to a successful investment banker. She has the largest diamond on her finger I have ever seen in my life. I’m surprised she can even lift her hand.
“That’s great,” I say, “have fun.”
Candace beams at me. “I will! By the way, that reminds me, you’re participating in our 5K charity run next Sunday, right?”
I try not to groan out loud. I can’t run 5K—is she out of her mind? I can’t even run 1K. Even half a K would be a challenge. “No, I don’t think so.”
Her face falls. “No?”
“You really should, Emily,” Robyn says. “It would be good for you.”
My face burns. “I just… I don’t like to run.”
Candace and Robyn exchange unsurprised looks. “Well,” Candace says. “At least you can come to support the cause? It’s for charity.”
“Yeah, okay,” I mumble. I’ve already donated a bunch of money to the people who are running, but if they want me to come, I’ll come.
“Wonderful!” Candace exclaims. “I’m finalizing the T-shirt orders today. What size do you want?”
“Um…” I bite my lip. “Large?”
Robyn cocks her head at me. “They run pretty small. I think maybe 2X? Or… Candace, do they have 3X or 4X?”
Candace frowns. “I can’t remember. But I’m sure the company could make it special. I’ve requested that once before.”
I’d rather crawl into a hole and die than have them special order a giant T-shirt for me. “It’s fine,” I blurt out. “I’d rather just wear my own T-shirt, if that’s okay.”
“Well, it’s nice if we’re all wearing the same shirt,” Candace says, “you know, to show our support.”
I have a feeling whatever tiny T-shirt they end up getting for me, it’s not going to fit. I might squeeze it on somehow, but I’ve had too many outfits rip at the seams. “Fine. Then… I guess, 2X.”
“Great!” Candace says. “We’ll have that for you next week.”
I nod and ball up the wrapper from my sandwich so I can get out of here. Maybe I’ll come down with a “cold” on the day of the charity run. It’s not like they really want me there anyway.