“Be creative,” she said. “Try some jabs like Ryan showed you before.”

I stood with my right hand forward and jabbed away. I could feel myself getting tired, but I kept going and going until I felt light-headed again. I had to fight through it. I couldn’t faint twice. Ryan wouldn’t want that — he’d ask me to take time off again. I powered through it until Ryan told us to switch. That’s when I took a knee and told Scarlett that I needed a minute.

“All right,” she said in a concerned tone. “You okay, kid?”

“Yeah. Just tired,” I lied.

“You’ve been half-assing all class.”

I’d hoped she wouldn’t notice.

“You don’t have any energy, do you?” she asked.

“Not really. No.”

“What did you eat today?” She knelt down to my level.

“Just water.”

“Water? Dude, you need to eat something before you come to class. I’m taking you home.”

“No,” I tried to argue. “I have to finish.”

“No way, kid.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me up. “You need food on the double.”

I wasn’t going to eat. I’d just end up eating the food and stepping on the scale and being disappointed because of it. I didn’t know what exactly my plan was in the long term, but I needed to lose as much weight as I could.

“No, I’m okay.” I leaned against the wall only to slide back down. I wasn’t okay.

Scarlett took me to her car and dug in the glove compartment. She pulled out a protein bar. “Eat this,” she demanded, shoving the bar into my hand.

As soon as I ripped open the wrapper I could smell the chocolate mixed with peanut butter, and devoured the entire bar.

“Get in, kid. I’m taking you home.”

I did as she instructed and she hit the gas.

As Scarlett drove me home she got straight to the point. “What’s your deal, kid? Why aren’t you eating?”

I explained to her how often I weighed myself and how I wanted to lose weight to impress Mel.

“That’s mega unhealthy,” she told me. “Don’t lose weight because you think it’ll help you find love.”

“She already likes me back,” I said. “We kissed and everything.”

“And everything?” She laughed. “You sound like you’re a stud. Cut that shit out.”

I wasn’t a stud. I just didn’t really know how to explain it well.

“So, you must really like her, huh?” Scarlett asked.

“Yeah. I think she’s magic.”

“You still believe in that stuff?”

I didn’t believe in magic. But I couldn’t think of another word to describe Mel.

“Besides, kid. If she likes you for who you are, then stay authentic while you still can,” Scarlett advised as she pulled up to my place. “Get some food and come back later in the week.”

“Thanks, Scarlett,” I said as I got out of the car.