Lauren’s honest with Jessie

“I think you look amazing,” Lauren said. “And if Henry doesn’t like it, he’s an idiot. I mean look at you. You have everything I don’t. You’re tall but not too tall. You don’t have belly rolls or a paunch. You clearly work out a lot and it’s done wonders for you. I would kill to have a body half as good as yours. And that dress... it’s perfect.”

“You really think that?” Jessie said, turning completely to Lauren who was just sitting there.

“I do,” Lauren said.

“Thanks, Lauren... I’m sorry we’ve fought,” Jessie said. “I... I hate everything about you. But I think I understand why you did what you did. It doesn’t make it right and it changes nothing, but... I get it. And maybe we can actually work on your weight and I’ll genuinely try to help you.”

Lauren nodded. “Wait... were you not going to help me with my weight previously?” Lauren asked.

Jessie shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess for a moment I felt the power you’ve felt with all that fake stuff. I felt superior to you. And maybe I am, but... at the same time I almost pity you. Almost. Until I remember what happened on July 9th. Do you remember that day?”

Lauren paused trying to think. She shook her head. “What’s July 9th?”

“It’s the day I met you,” Jessie said. “And do you know the first thing you said to me when we met?”

Lauren shook her head. “No.”

“You said... that I looked like a blubbered whale who washed up on the wrong beach and would never ever be as good looking as you,” Jessie said. “And then... you took it another step further and poured iced coffee all over me and said look the whale is hydrated now.”

Lauren gulped not remembering that at all. “I’m sorry, Jessie,” Lauren said.

“Sorry isn’t good enough. And it wasn’t the last thing that you did to me either. And every time I made one effort to make peace with you, you would come right back and say cruel remarks towards me and do cruel things to me. That’s why despite understanding, I can’t completely pity you, Lauren,” Jessie said. “Because you’ve hurt me more than you even realize. And now... payback’s a bitch.”

Jessie took a deep breath and looked back at the mirror. “I’m sorry,” Lauren said again. “Really. I am.”

“Well, I’m not. I’m not sorry for whatever happens next,” Jessie said. “So, let’s try your outfits now. I think I picked out some good ones.”

Lauren gulped as Jessie changed back into her clothes and reached for the pile of juvenile dresses.