EXTRACT FOR
Belly Dance
(Anna Mann)

Peace had always been left out, so the invitation had come as a shock.

Since childhood she'd been a chubby girl and was self-conscious about her body, more so as a teased and taunted child, but as she grew older it still hurt despite her deciding that she didn't care what people said.

Being the only black girl in the area had been added stress too, at school she had been singled out not just by weight but also by colour. Kids can be cruel, and their taunting and insults had lived with her as she grew and developed.

Her wide hips had been inherited from her mother, from what she'd been told they were her tribal heritage and genetically predetermined, just like her big round ass. "You will always have hips and a big bottom," her mother had said, "So embrace that fact, and remember, men love girls with some junk in the trunk."

So far at the age of twenty four that statement hadn't been proven correct, most guys overlooked her completely. One had been brutally frank when he told her that her ass and belly almost qualified her as a BBW, except for the fact that her tits just didn't fit the profile. Big Beautiful Women had big thighs, big ass, big belly and mammoth tits. 

"Not saggy little apologies like those!" he had added with a spiteful grin.

Peace had closed her mind to his comments, maybe her tits were on the small side for a chubby girl, and maybe they had lost their firmness long before they should have... But so what? At least they were real, and they didn't threaten to break her back under the weight as she grew older.

She may have been a little self-conscious, but Peace was comfortable with who she was... even if she spent a lot of time alone.

And then came the invitation.

Peace worked in the administration department of a huge chain of car dealers. Her main job was in warranty, and so she spent a good deal of time liaising with the mechanics in the workshops, and it had been Gerald, the head mechanic who had called her down to the garage and given her a plain white envelope.

"I'm afraid this isn't a bring a guest type party," he had said, "Our budget doesn't extend that far."

Peace had shaken her head, "I don't mind." she had told him with a smile. In reality she was struggling to think of anyone she could have invited, so being told she couldn't ask anyone was actually saving face a little.

"It's just a get together," he had added, "Nothing fancy... but I'm sure it'll be lots of fun."

The first time I've been invited anywhere for ages she thought as a warmth spread inside. And I'm sure that it will be lots of fun, I'm gonna make the most of it.