The Brat - Part 1

Britney hummed happily to herself as she gathered up her things. The curvy squirrel had just finished teaching an aerobics class at Club Fabulous, and she was feeling good. As she left the aerobics room, she thought about how she was really starting to enjoy this gig. It was helping her maintain the shapely figure she had worked so hard to achieve. It also provided some much-needed spending money.

"Staying in shape sure is easier when you get paid to do it!" she sighed contentedly, thinking about the new designer jacket she was planning to buy once she got her next paycheck.

It was then Britney noticed spotted two female mice walking down the hallway toward her. The two of them were sporting silky white fur and, Britney noted, high-end clothing. The older mouse was slim and looked to be in her forties, while her companion was not-so-slim and looked to be around high school age.

"Excuse me, miss. Do you work here?" the older mouse asked politely.

Britney smiled. "Yes ma'am! I'm in college, but I teach aerobics classes here part-time."

The older mouse smiled, apparently pleased by Britney's bubbly personality. "Wonderful! My name is Melissa, and this is my daughter Mandy. I'm looking for someone to work one-on-one with her."

Britney beamed at the teenage mouse, "Hi Mandy! It's nice to meet you."

Mandy stood with her hands in her pockets. "Hi," she said, barely sparing Britney a glance.

Britney got the distinct impression that Mandy didn't want to be here, although the teen looked like she could use some exercise. She wasn’t outright fat. In fact, Britney guessed the girl had once been slim, but her belly, hips, and thighs were all looking fairly plump. Her jeans were quite snug, and a discreet glance confirmed they were not buttoned, but held up with a belt that just barely fit. Mandy's stomach bulged over it, forming a pudgy muffin top and love handles.

"How old are you, Mandy?" Britney asked.

"Sixteen," the mouse replied absently.

"Ah, sweet sixteen!" Britney said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sweet sixteen indeed," her mother replied, her tone shifting. "As you can probably tell, Mandy has grown a little too fond of sweets as of late."

"Ugh," Mandy groaned, rolling her eyes. “Mom!”

Melissa ignored her daughter’s protests. "Our goal is for her to lose 30 pounds."

Britney smiled, trying to stay positive in spite of the awkward situation. "Well, Club Fabulous has a great fitness plan for teens. It's called the Pounds Off Program."

"For the last time, Mom, I don't need a program," Mandy interrupted, emphasizing the last word with air quotes.

Melissa shot her daughter a fierce look, "Don't start this again, Mandy. You promised me that you would make some changes, but you haven't lost a single inch off that waistline. You need some accountability."

"And you need to get a hobby," Mandy said under her breath as she crossed her arms.

Britney found this conversation all too relatable. She gave Mandy a sympathetic look. "It really does help to be on a program. I struggle with my weight sometimes, too, and working out in a group always helps me. It can even be fun!"

Hearing this, Melissa's eyes lit up. "You know, that is just the sort of positive influence my daughter needs! Are you available for some private sessions?"

Britney hesitated, "Well… maybe… I usually just teach group classes twice a week. I've never worked with anybody one-on-one."

"I'm sure you would be fantastic," Melissa continued, undeterred, "Mandy could really use a role model like you. After all, she needs to improve her figure…" she gave her daughter another serious look, "…and her attitude."

Melissa returned her attention to Britney. "If you're on board, I'd like Mandy to do a session with you each day this week. I'll pay whatever the going rate is, and I'll throw in a $50 bonus for every pound she loses!"

Britney's eyes widened. She glanced at Mandy and did the math. That was some serious money, given that the mouse had thirty pounds to lose. These people must be loaded! she thought. Britney still wasn't sure this was a good idea, but Melissa seemed enthusiastic about hiring her, and Britney hated disappointing people.

"Is 4:00-6:00 okay?" she ventured.

"That's perfect!" Melissa said, clapping her hands excitedly. Mandy just groaned.

Britney did her best to look keen, but as she watched Mandy pouting, she began to wonder just what she had gotten herself into.

---

The next day, Britney reserved a private workout room and met Mandy there at the appointed time. Mandy arrived in casual clothes, looking as aloof as ever.

“Hey girlfriend!” Britney said, trying to be peppy without overdoing it. “Are you ready to get started?”

Mandy reached into her handbag. Britney recognized the designer label. If she remembered correctly, that particular bag retailed for almost a grand. The chubby mouse produced a stack of bills and held it out before her.

“Oh, no worries! Your mom already paid for today’s session,” Britney reminded the girl.

“I know. And I’m paying you to tell her that we had it," Mandy said flatly.

Britney furrowed her brow, “I don’t follow.”

“I’m not into the whole gym scene,” Mandy said, making air quotes, “If I get all sweaty, it will ruin my hair. Plus, I have more important things to do.”

“Like what?” Britney asked flatly.

“Like hang out with my friends as the mall. Besides, I’m sure you have college stuff to do. So just take the money and tell Mom that I was a perfect little gym bunny. You’ll earn twice as much and you won’t have to do a thing.”

Britney looked from Mandy to the wad of cash, then back again. Her eyes narrowed.

“No deal, Miss Chubs.”

Mandy scoffed, “Excuse me?”

Britney shifted her weight and out one hand on her hip, “It’s a title that my friends and I give to the fattest girl in the room,” Britney said, her voice taking on a catty, almost snide quality, “...and currently that would be you.”

Mandy stood up straight, her arms at her sides, "I’m not going to stand here and be insulted.”

Britney crossed her arms. “That's right. You’re going to get your butt in the locker room and change so we can begin our exercises. Your mom is paying me to whip you into shape, and I intend to do exactly that.”

“I don’t need some bushy-tailed bimbo to teach me how to lose weight!”

“Judging by the size of your hips and thighs, I would say that you do,” Britney replied coolly, batting her eyelashes.

“Ugh! You... you just... hmph!” Mandy huffed, stuffing the cash back into her handbag and stomping toward the locker room.

Britney smiled quietly to herself. You aren’t the only one who can cop an attitude, bitch.