"What do you mean it isn't there?"
>Moondancer leans over the counter, glaring at the wide eyed girl behind the desk.
>Smacking her gum a few times, the orange haired secretary glances back and forth between her computer and Moondancer a few times before finally speaking.
>"Well, what I mean is, it's not there."
>At the increasingly irritated girl's look of confusion, she leans forward and tries again.
>"Like, gone. Or vanished. Kaputsikies. Poofed."
"Scholarships don't just POOF!"
>The secretary leans back in her chair as Moondancer bares her teeth.
"I have to know what happened to my MONEY!"
>"Um, I already told you like, three times already. Gawd."
>Taking a deep breath in through her nose, Moondancer adjusts her glasses in a futile attempt to shake loose the brain-dead bimbo's look of disapproval.
>This isn't working.
>The whole, being mean thing.
>Maybe she can be a little nicer.
>With her confidence restored, Moondancer pulls away her hand and puts on a smile.
"What did you say your name was?"
>Almost immediately the secretary's green eyes light up.
>"Junebug, but everybody calls me Junie."
"Okay, Junebug."
>The secretary visibly flinches.
"I need to know where my money is, so I can keep going to school."
>Still looking rather hurt, Junie bobs her head.
>"Kay."
"It's already October, and I've been waiting the better part of two months for you to clear this for me, okay?"
>"...Kay."
>Another head bobble.
>Good, progress.
"So, Jun-"
>The secretary leans in as Moondancer catches her tongue.
"-nnnnie, can you tell me what happened to my money?"
>A moment of silence.
>And then.
>"Oh sure."
>Moondancer lets out a sigh of relief.
"Good, then-"
>"It poofed."
"ARGH!"
>The world goes red
>It takes a few seconds for Moondancer to come off her rage high, and she finds her hands on the rather inadequate straps of Junie's top
>Back and forth the secretary's head bobbles as she's shaken by the irate student
>As does her sizable chest.
 
>But Moondancer has only one thing on her mind.
"WHERE. IS. MY. MONEY?"
>"P-O-O-F-E-D!"
>It only takes a moment longer for Moondancer to collapse onto the counter.
>Too tired and weak to fight it anymore, she lets out a plaintive groan.
"Why me?"
>"What's going on out here?"
>Her head still weaving about, the starry-eyed Junie glances to the side and lets out an excited gasp.
>"Jonie!"
>The rattling of her brain quickly forgotten, the secretary bounces in her seat.
>"Jonie, omigosh, hi!"
>Turning her head towards the excitement, Moondancer lets out another sigh.
>Great, now there's two of them.
>Jonie isn't quite as, well, simple looking as Junie, but the dirty blonde hair with streaks of lighter gold doesn't do her many favors.
>Neither do the woman's impossibly wide hips.
>She must have trouble getting through some of the older buildings on campus.
>After a moment, Jonie glances to Moondancer.
>"Sorry, it seems like you're in a bit of a pinch. Why don't you come into my office?"
>Wait, what?
"Seriously?"
>Jonie smiles.
>"Sure. I might be able to help you a little more than Junie."
>Motioning to the girl with a crook of her finger, the blonde disappears into her office.
>Moondancer is hot on her heels.
>She can almost hear Junie wave as she sweetly shouts
>"Bye Moonie! Good luck!"
>Moondancer shudders.
>The office itself is thankfully quiet, and Jonie is standing behind her desk, waiting.
>Across the desk, in brass lettering reads:
>Jonagold Apple
>Jonie clears her throat, causing Moondancer to jump
>"Have a seat and we can talk shop."
>After getting situated, the violet-eyed woman leans her cheek on her hand and gives the younger woman a smile.
>"So, what's got you so worked up?"
"Oh. Um, well, my name is Moondancer, and I'm trying desperately to get my financial aid package taken care of. I've been calling and emailing every day since the semester started, but nobody's been answering."
 
>Taking a deep breath, she forces a smile.
"And I'm taking so many classes that it's difficult to come down here in person. But really, I just want to get my money taken care of so that I can focus on my studies again."
>Jonie bobs her head.
>"I can see how that would be awkward, and I'm very sorry that you're in such a pinch. Let me see what we can do for you."
>With a small sound, Moondancer sinks into her chair and closes her eyes.
>The quiet click-clack of excessively long nails on the keyboard is equal parts soothing and irritating.
>Finally, progress.
>After a moment, Jonie grunts.
>"Well then."
>The words send a jolt through Moondancer, snapping her out of her haze.
"What?"
>Jonie taps a finger against her lip, then glances at the co-ed.
>"How many classes are you taking this semester?"
>Puffing out her nonexistent chest, Moondancer smirks.
"Eight."
>Again, Jonie makes the sound.
>It's sounding less hopeful and more frustrated.
>"Well, I think I've found the problem."
>Moondancer leans in close.
>"You're nine hours over what your scholarship will cover."
>What.
"What?"
>Turning the screen to the student, Jonie taps her nail against the monitor.
>"See, right there we have your scholarship award set to cover all educational expenses, up to fifteen credit hours. You're at twenty four."
>Turning back to Moondancer, Jonie sets her lips into a thin line.
>"Therefore, you're still in the red."
>Gulping, the younger woman gives a small, uncertain laugh.
"That, I mean- how?"
>"I don't know, whose idea was it to take eight classes?"
>Moondancer sinks into her seat, chewing on her chapped lower lip.
"...Mine?"
>Another grunt, this time accompanied by a rather stern glare.
>Taking off her glasses, Moondancer rubs at the lenses through her sweater, struggling to come up with some way to talk out of this situation.
>But there's nothing.
>She'd decided to pass on having her adviser look over her paperwork.
>This is all on her.
>What a mess.
>But suddenly, a light.
 
>"Well, I'm not sure about your situation, but it's not impossible to get out of."
>Moondancer perks up a little as Jonie offers a small smile.
>"There are two ways to go about this. The first is that you drop three of your classes and then you only have to pay off a quarter of the original cost."
>Ouch.
"I'd rather not do that. And I don't really have the money to cover even three-quarters of a single class."
>"Understandable, which is why I'm offering you the second option."
>Wetting her lips, Jonie leans forward.
>"There's a wife of a certain donor here at the school; she's got a mild investment in higher education, but she knows that college students have the potential to be good, stable employees. She's helped a number of our students get through"
>A small cough escapes Jonie's throat as she smiles.
>"Well, let's call them 'lean' times. Junie's one, and so am I."
>Moondancer's eyes widen as she slowly nods.
>Being associated with the airhead out front isn't especially enticing, but Jonie seems to have her life in order.
>But a job, on top of her course load...
"What kind of work is it?"
>Jonie flashes her teeth.
>"Caught your interest, huh? She owns a number of businesses, but right now she's looking to fill in some spots at her pizza restaurant, The Dish."
>For a moment, Moondancer scrunches up her face.
"Pizza?"
>And then her eyes widen.
"The Dish? You mean Spoiled Rich is-"
>Jonie waves her hands and laughs.
>"Shh, but yeah. It's just a part-time gig, no more than a dozen hours a week. She'll take care of this little hiccup for you, and pay you a little on the side as well. Plus, it's a pretty brainless job, meaning you can focus on other things."
>Thinking it over for a moment more, Moondancer nods her head, and Jonie does likewise.
>"Good. I'll get in touch with her right away, so sit tight."
>Gulping, the young student looks down at her knees as Jonie makes the call.
>She really hopes she isn't making a mistake.
 
>It's a few days later when Moondancer finds herself being given a tour of the restaurant.
>The Dish is a local hangout for most college students, easily recognizable by the half-pizza stylized to fit the 'D'.
>She's eaten it more than a few times during late night study sessions.
>Not to mention, it's owned by the Riches, one of the most influential families in town.
>So there may be perks to getting on the good side of a prominent woman like Spoiled Rich.
>And the perks of not having to pay for school.
>Unfortunately, the staff aren't really her kind of 'people'.
>"And that's the bathroom!"
"Wow, with that sign there, I never would have guessed."
>Moodancer sighs and the green-haired girl guiding her giggles
>"You're pretty silly, Moonie."
"Moondancer. And does anyone call you anything other than D.D.?"
>Thinking for a moment, the girl shrugs.
>"Well my family calls me Dosie Dough, so you can-"
"D.D. is fine."
>Moondancer isn't about to deal with another Junie.
>Besides, her name fits her chest perfectly, so there's no way to forget.
>Shrugging, D.D. leads her new coworker through the tour, before stopping at the register.
>A wide spread of buttons display all kinds of pizzas, toppings, sauces and cheeses.
>"And this is where the magic happens!"
"I'm pretty sure that's the kitchen."
>Pursing her lips, D.D. frowns.
>"Well, yeah, there too, but if we didn't put the orders in here, they'd never make it to the kitchen!"
>Quite pleased with her logic, the plucky girl walks Moondancer through the ordering process.
>Finally, she taps a button in the corner.
>"And this is what you press for the employee discount."
"Wait, what?"
>"Um, for people who work here? They get a special?"
>As D.D. rolls her eyes and giggles, Moondancer frowns.
"That's awfully generous of the Riches, I didn't think they'd offer something like that for the staff."
>"Are you kidding? Mrs. Rich is the best!"
"Apparently so. So, how much is it?"
 
>D.D. smiles off into space for a moment before shakign her head and coming back to reality.
>"Five dollerydoos for a large."
>Moondancer's eyes nearly bulge out of her head.
"What?"
>Another giggle.
>"Ya, it's a steal. But it's only for employees, so-"
>She brings a finger to her lips and makes a shushing sound while winking.
>For a moment, things look bright.
>All the cheap pizza Moondancer wants
>Or can stand.
>Whichever.
>And then comes the bad news.
>"But only on the special!"
>Tapping another button, D.D. smiles.
>"It's the only made-to-order button on here, so it's always the same. Also, it's a secret. So shh on that too."
>A discount.
>Which can only be used on a single pizza
>Now that sounds like penny-pinching tactics.
>Sighing, Moondancer frowns.
"Is it any good?"
>"Totally."
>D.D. giggles.
>Her whole body jiggles.
>"I have it all the time."
>Moondancer doesn't say anything.
>Shortly thereafter, Moondancer is given her uniform and thus gainfully employed.
>It's an odd job, and she sees a lot more of her peers than she might have otherwise.
>Some days, she even has fun with her not-so-bright co-workers.
>But she is definitely not going to get that fat off that house special.
>At least, that's what she tells herself a few weeks later as she sits down for her first taste of the House Special.
>It wasn't her fault, really.
>One of her professors had suggested some optional supplemental reading, and Moondancer had used most of her latest paycheck to pay for them.
>Okay, so maybe it was her fault, but it's for school!
>Besides, what's the point of having a discount if you're not going to use it?
>And so, in the safety of her dorm room, Moondancer eyes up the pizza.
>It isn't much to speak of
>Cheese, some kind of meat, and a sauce that apparently isn't on the menu.
>Oh, and it's deep dish.
>Just looking at the greasy offering, Moondancer can feel her butt start to bulge.
"Well, whatever. Five bucks."
>And so, up goes the first slice.
>And then straight down.
 
>After a moment of chewing, Moondancer's jaw goes slack.
>Words fail her as she mutters
"Good. Really good."
>and goes straight back to chewing.
>While not looking especially appetizing on top, the special certain lives up to its name.
>The bursts of flavor tickle her tongue, almost bringing tears to her eyes.
>All too soon, the slice is gone.
>But that's okay, because there's still seven more left!
>That's like, enough for two or three days.
>As she tears into her second slice, Moondancer has no idea that the pie won't make it to tomorrow afternoon.
>But, that too is okay, since it's only five dollars and it fills her up!
>And so she pies another pie the next night.
>And the next.
>And the next...
>By the end of the week, as Moondancer huffs and puffs her way up to her third story dorm, pizza box in hand, she's seriously beginning to reconsider her diet.
>Seriously, what kind of pizza makes you feel like crap after only eating it for a week?
>Granted, she's eating it for every meal but...
"Whatever."
>Moondancer flops onto the bed, doing her best to ignore the pressure her slightly bulging belly exerts as it pushes into the mattress.
"I just have to make it to next Tuesday anyway."
>Taking a bite of the pizza, she chews and gazes off into space.
"Then I can get some real food."
>Rubbing her thicker thighs together, Moondancer holds back a moan as she tears back into her evening meal.
>Just make it to next week.
>Everything will be fine then.
>A few weeks later, snow is already piling up on the ground.
>Jonie is hard at work when a quick knock comes at her door.
>Glancing up, she smiles at the secretary who's grinning at her.
>"Hey Jonie."
>"Hey Junie."
>"You hungry?"
>"A bit."
>The aid officer wets her lips as she raises an eyebrow.
>"You wanna go out and grab something?"
>Bouncing a little, Junie shakes her head.
>"Nah, it's totes cold out, so I ordered in!"
 
>The blonde's smile grows.
>"Aw, that's so sweet, Junie. Where from?"
>"Uh, duh, The Dish?"
>Rolling her eyes, Junie giggles and Jonie grins.
>"The Dish, huh? Dare I guess what?"
>Junie opens her mouth when a buzz comes from her desk.
>With a practiced grace, the orange haired woman minces over to her desk and pushes the button.
>"Who is it?"
"Pizza delivery from The Dish."
>"Goody! C'mon up!"
>After buzzing them in, Junie bounces in place as Jonie steps out of her office.
>A few moments later, Moondancer steps out onto the landing, red-faced, huffing and puffing, pizza in hand.
>The two women size up the co-ed, who's done her own upsizing; the lumpy sweater she'd walked in wearing a few months ago now sticking to her rather generous body.
>No longer flat and formless, Moondancer's turtleneck is visibly struggling to keep a hold of her sweatermeat.
>Gone are the slim pants, traded in for a pair of warm-ups that bulge around her backside.
>And the paunch around her middle occasional bobs into sight as her too small clothing shifts around on her body.
>Completely oblivious, Junie squeals.
>"Omigosh, hi Moonie!"
>The co-ed continues to wheeze.
>Biting her lip, Jonie holds back a giggle.
>"So, enjoying your new job?"
 
"I guess."
>The younger woman finally gets out.
"But it's like, really cold out, and I'm stuck doing all the deliveries on campus!"
>Scowling, Moondancer puts her pizza down on the counter and crosses her arms over...
>Under...
>On top of her chest.
"It's totally the worst, but D.D. says I'm looking a little chunky, and it'll be good for me to get out."
>Whoever D.D. is, she isn't wrong.
>Smiling, Jonie walks over and pats the now chubby girl's cheek.
>"Well, I hope things are going well aside from that. Besides, you can always work off weight."
>Moondancer nods and Junie pays her.
>But as she turns, the orange haired woman reaches out and grabs her shoulder.
>"Hey, you don't have to go back right away, do you?"
>Moondancer raises an eyebrow as Junie continues.
>"See, I thought it'd be nice to share a House Special with Jonie for old-times sake. But since you're one of the Dish girls now too, why don't you join us, Moonie?"
>Moondancer bites her lip and visibly squirms.
"Yeah, but..."
>Junie lifts the box open.
>Moonie's mouth waters.
"Maybe, just a bit..."
>D.D. isn't going to be very happy.
>...Whatever.
>What’s one more slice going to hurt?
>Nodding, the three women smile at each other.
>Some things are thicker than water after all.
>Like grease.
>And chub.