Completely Obsessed

CHAPTER TWO

Nairobi POV

Once I was dressed, I headed into the kitchen.

The smell of roasted chicken immediately filled the room.Zara had already prepared everything. The table was set, and she was placing the last dish on it.“There you are!” she said with a smile. “Come on, sit down. Dinner's ready.”I laughed softly“You didn't eat while waiting for me?”“Nope. I was waiting for you,” she replied, pulling out a chair. “Now hurry up before the food gets cold.”I shook my head and joined her at the table.

We began eating, and for a few minutes, everything felt peaceful.Then Zara suddenly looked at me.“So, how was your first day at work?”I paused for a moment before looking at her.“It was hard,” I admitted. “But I can do it.”Zara smiled proudly.“That’s my girl.”She continued eating, but then her expression suddenly changed.“Wait.Did anyone bully you? Or make comments about you?”

My hand stopped halfway to my mouth.I lowered my fork.I hesitated.I didn't want to tell her.Not because I didn't trust her.It was the complete opposite.Zara was too protective of me.Ever since we were in high school, she had always been the first person to defend me whenever someone made fun of my weight.That was actually how we became friends.Back then, I was constantly being bullied because of my size. People would laugh at me, make cruel comments, and sometimes even call me names.

Zara was the one person who never joined in.Instead, she stood beside me.She defended me.She became my savior when I didn't know how to defend myself.And even now, years later, she was still the same Zara.If I told her that someone had made fun of me on my first day, I knew she would probably want to march straight into The Crimson Table and confront them herself. That's why I hesitated.But keeping it from her felt wrong.I finally sighed.“There were some people.”

Zara immediately put her fork down.“What happened?”

I looked at my plate.“They made some comments about me. About my weight.”Her expression darkened.

“But it's okay,” I quickly added. “They're just words. I can tolerate it.”Zara stared at me.For a moment, she didn't say anything.Then she shook her head.

“No.”I looked up.“No?”“You shouldn't have to tolerate that.”“Zara—”“No, Nairobi.” She pointed her fork at me. “I know you. You're going to sit there, smile, pretend you're fine, and let people say whatever they want because you don't want to cause trouble.”

I sighed.“They're just words.”"And words can hurt!”

She put her fork down completely.

“You have to stand up for yourself, Nairobi. I'm not saying you need to fight them physically. But you need to tell them when they've crossed the line.”I stayed quiet.

“I know you're strong,” she continued. “But being strong doesn't mean you have to accept everything people throw at you.”I looked at her.She wasn't angry at me.

She was worried.The same way she had always been.

“I just don't want you to keep everything inside,” she said more softly. “You don't deserve to be treated badly because of your size.”

I smiled faintly.“I know.”“Good. Then promise me you'll fight back.”I chuckled.“You really won't let this go, will you?”“Nope.”I laughed.“Fine. I'll try.”“Not try. You will.” “Okay, okay. I will.”Zara finally picked up her fork again.

“Good. Now eat before I start giving you ”

I laughed and continued eating.Our dinner eventually came to an end, but even while we were cleaning the table, Zara continued reminding me to stand up for myself.I couldn't help but smile.She could be annoying sometimes.But deep down, I knew I was lucky to have her.Because no matter how difficult things became, Zara had always been there.And somehow, I knew she always would be.

Our dinner eventually came to an end, and we began cleaning up the table together. Zara washed the dishes while I wiped down the table and put the leftovers away.

“You know,” Zara said, glancing at me, “you should be proud of yourself.”I looked at her. “For what?”

“For making it through your first day.” I smiled. “It was only one day.”“Exactly. And you survived it.” She grinned. “Tomorrow is another day, and you’re going back.”I nodded.“Yeah. I am.”

“Good. And remember what I told you.”I rolled my eyes playfully.“Stand up for myself. I know.”“Exactly.”We both laughed.After everything was cleaned, we headed to our rooms.“Good night, Nairobi,” Zara called as she entered her room.“Good night, Zara.”I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it for a moment.My body was exhausted from the long day, but my mind was still awake.

I thought about everything that had happened.The three girls in the locker room.

The rude customers.Mr. Anderson teaching me everything. And the announcement about the upcoming gala.I wondered what tomorrow would be like.Would those girls say something again?Would the customers be just as difficult?I sighed.

I couldn't spend the entire night worrying about things that hadn't happened yet.I changed into my pajamas, climbed into bed, and pulled the blanket over myself.

“Tomorrow,” I whispered. “I'll do better tomorrow.”

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I fell asleep.