"Sam, you need to hurry," said Lucas.

That was all I needed to know. It was Mia. If they needed me to hurry, it was always Mia. I couldn't stop but emphasize the words 'me' and 'hurry'.

The situation must be dire because Lucas repeated, "Hurry! Sam."

When we finally entered the gym, there was a crowd gathered around two blonds fighting in full swing. Both were bent double, pulling each other's hair.

I didn't pause, not even to catch my breath. I lunged forward and joined the fury. I concentrated all my efforts on pricing away Chloe's hand from Mia's head. Lucas engaged similarly with Mia.

"Get off me, pig!" grunted Chloe.

Mia let out a roar, which would have made even the angriest of lions take cover, and lunged at Chloe.

I grabbed Mia from the back, wrapping my arms around her, I carried Mia out. She was still shouting and kicking in Chloe's direction.

The name-calling continued, it made no head or tail. I was huffing and puffing as I finally dropped Mia on a bench. I sat down heavily.

Mia didn't speak, she was still seething with anger. She was glaring in the direction of the gym.

I put my arms around her shoulders. Mia stopped glaring.

"So, what was it this time?" I asked, still breathing heavily.

"Nothing," said Mia as she scratched her nose. On seeing me give her a don't-use-your-acting-skills-on-me look, she added, "She was getting on my nerves as usual. It's nothing, pumpkin."

"Let me guess, Chloe insulted me," I said, rolling my eyes.

Mia didn't say anything. She didn't have to. She has gotten into more fights than I wished to count. All for my sake.

I cupped her face with my other hand and lifted her head towards me. She didn't meet my eye, keeping it firmly downcast.

"Plum."

She looked up and in a small voice said, "Yes! She was insulting you, she was calling.. well she was bad-mouthing you."

"So, she called me fat or a nerd."

She didn't say anything.

"I am fat and definitely a nerd."

"I don't like a bully."

"She was not bullying me, I wasn't even there."

"I can't walk past silently when someone is insulting you, pumpkin."

"She is doing that just to get under your nerves. You got selected for the audition, while she didn't."

Mia sighed heavily, "I know, but,"

"-but you can't let anyone call me fat. You know I don't mind!"

"-but I do, pumpkin."

Don't get Mia wrong when she greets me as 'pumpkin'; it has nothing to do with my weight. Let me tell you the story behind the "Pumpkin and Plum."

Before that, you need to know that I am fat; calling me fat is an understatement. I am obese.

I am a 17-year-old in my junior year, weighing 200 pounds. If you call getting a straight A+ in algebra and trigonometry a nerd, well! I am a nerd.

I would be lying if I said that I was never hurt when people called me a 'fatty nerd'. I was hurt. Additionally, being best friends with Mia attracts a lot of bullies.

Mia is a blonde. Well, that describes her. She is a blonde through and through. Let me describe her in detail. She has shiny golden blonde hair, startling blue eyes, a sharp nose, and full lips. Did I mention she won 'Miss Teen California'? She is a beauty with no comparison.

Naturally, there is a line of guys who want me out of the way and jealous girls who know the only way to get to her is through me.

Muttering always followed me, "What is Mia doing, hanging out with that fatso?"

I knew I was ruining her reputation, so I gathered my courage and told her I no longer want to hang out with her in school.

"Would you not be my friend if I was fat?" There was so much hurt in her eyes that I even suggested such a thing. And that was the only time she mentioned me as fat, like ever.

How can I not be her friend! Even if the whole world ridiculed me, I will never leave Mia.

So people calling me fat didn't bother me anymore. Actually, it made me happy, seeing the indignation and anger from Mia.

She is my mommy bear. She makes me feel special. I would be a fool if I didn't fall in love with this girl.

Oh! Yes, I forgot to mention. I love Mia. And she doesn't know that.