Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)

Second period is the only class that Willowdean and Ellen have together. Because Ellen is late to meet Willowdean, the two don’t get to sit together on the first day of school. Ellen sits with Callie, and Will is stuck sitting next to Mitch Lewis, a football player.

Mitch reminds Willowdean that they haven’t had a class together since 6th grade. Mitch, Clover City’s star football player, is a big guy, and Will resents that his extra weight makes him “athletic” and her extra weight makes her “fat.” The teacher announces that where the students are sitting is where they will sit for the rest of the year. Ellen apologizes to Will for not sitting with her and then leaves with Callie. Willowdean is additionally disappointed that she has not seen Bo all day.

Mitch walks with Willowdean and wants to get to know her. He asks her questions about what she likes to do outside of work. He tells her that he wants to take her out on a date. Will agrees, thinking: “I think this might be a bad idea, but I think a lot of things. And I need to forget Bo.