Lisa was walking down the stairs, trying to lose weight is an ever-present goal in her life. She used to be skinny once; she remembered being pretzel thin as a little girl. It was somewhere in her teens that weight kept adding up without her realizing and she was never able to make much of a comeback. She learned a lot when she started trying to diet.

A pack of ramen is two servings, not one. A lot of her go-to meals and snacks have tricked her this way.

The body burns fewer calories when the air conditioner is cranked up. She used to keep it at 68°F (20°C).

Reaching the ground floor, she wondered, which was the most significant factor? Or was it genetics catching up? All the women in her family were overweight, she wasn’t an exception.

Maybe it was depression, she thought, high school was hell and being fat would just cause a feedback loop.

As she looked both ways to cross the street, she noticed that she was catching odd looks. It wasn’t just a few people, everyone seemed to stare at her for a moment before going on with their evening. Looking down, she realized she was still wearing the black robe she wore to summon the demon.

“Figures I would forget something stupid like this,” she muttered to herself. "Oh well, it’s been a long day. Maybe I’ll get some alcohol while I’m out.”

Stepping into the local grocery store, she nodded to the greeter.

“Wel–come” came the anticipated reply, with an extra layer of suspicion today.

She considered putting up the hood but concluded that it would take her from ‘slightly suspicious’ to ‘probable thief’ and as a rule, she tried to avoid attention where possible.

When you’re overweight and have a face full of acne, any attention is bad attention.

Picking up a handbasket, she began to make her rounds. Frozen vegetables, low sodium soy sauce, organic everything when possible. Unfortunately being a student doesn’t pay well so rice and beans have become her main staples.

Entering the alcohol section, her hands itched to grab a case of frothy stout beer. But she was on a diet. Instead, she opted to grab three bottles of vodka, enough to share, to mix with lemonade.

Holding the last bottle free handed, she was about to make her way to check out when she heard someone call towards her.

“Hey, dude! Sick rags. You to a frat or somethin?”

Turning around, she saw it was Chad. The dreamy guy from her literature class that always shows up late. He was tall and muscular with the smooth face of a pretty boy.

If only he didn’t sound like such a moron, Lisa thought, unfortunately, he thinks I look like a guy and my voice has never been feminine enough to convince him otherwise. Not to mention, it would be super awkward if he found out now.

“Oh hey Chad, nah I was just summoning a succubus. You know how it is.”

“Awesome dude! Send one my way if it pans out, aight? If not come by my place dude; throwin an awesome party and my cuz hooked us up with some goood shit.”

“Sure Chad. If I don’t show it's because I’m spending my night with a succubus. Cya later.”

Lisa went to the cashier to pay for her things, trying her best to give a reassuring smile. Considering the guy had one hand hidden under the counter the entire time, she guessed it wasn’t working. She rolled her eyes as she pulled out her credit card, snatched the receipt, and stomped away.

Lisa considered going straight home but decided to stop by Sara’s temple first. She knew that girl would spend all night praying for forgiveness if someone didn’t drag her away.

Walking into the temple, Lisa noticed that her robes fit in nicely here. All zealous have similar fashion sense, she guessed. At the center-alter kneeled Sara, decked out in matching black robes.

At least she’s not crying hysterically again, Lisa thought, but she does look like she's about to sacrifice someone in that git-up.

“Hey Sara, you alright?” Lisa asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m fine, It’s just… I expected this trip to be different ya know?”

“What do you mean? What should be different?”

“Well, normally I wouldn’t expect anything to actually happen when I pray. No voice or transparent figure ever appeared to me before after all. But now I have seen an actual demon. I know magic really exists, but still no response. Why?”

“I guess if he’s really up there, he’s dead set on giving everyone the silent treatment.” Lisa replied, “Hell, maybe he doesn’t even know demons are walking the earth.”

“Maybe.” Sara mumbled, “Or maybe after summoning a demon I’ll never get a chance to talk to him.”

“Let's go home Sara, we should sleep early tonight. Besides, I’m afraid to leave Ash alone for too long.”

“Do you think the demon will do something to her?”

“No, I trust Ash less than the demon.”

Lisa huffed and puffed up the last flight of stairs following Sara. Opening the door, they walked in and heard shouting from Ashley’s room.

“Oww… Oww… Aaah.”

“Will you be a good girl?”

“Yes. Ow. Yes, mistress!”

As Sara rushed in, Lisa caught her arm and whispered, “What are you doing?”

“We have to help her!” Sara whisper-shouted.

“I don’t think she wants our help, Sara”

“On your knees.”

“Yes, ah, yes mistress.”

Sara exclaimed, “You don’t think she wants help? With that?”

“Head up, tongue out.”

“Ouch, why mistress? Why?”

Lisa blushed, “I forgot, I have a party to go to. Cya.”

“Tongue out! Good. This is your kneeling position. If I say to get in the kneeling position, this is what you do!”

“Oww. Yes mistress, anything you say!”

Sara sprinted out the door, “Wait, wait! I’ll go with you!”

Lisa and Sara walked down the street with flushed faces and wearing matching black robes. The sun had gone down and the only lighting came from the odd street lamp. Occasionally, they would see another pedestrian run away or duck behind closed doors.

“So, what happened back there–”

“We never talk about it,” Lisa said with a shake of her head.

“Right… So this party, any cute guys?” Sara asked.

“There’s at least one, Chad. He’s nice, really hot but a bit on the dull side. Way out of my league though.”

“You shouldn’t sell yourself short, Lisa. If he’s lacking brains then maybe he would do well with someone like you.”

“Maybe,” Lisa admitted, “But relationships are a type of bartering, and looks are always worth more than brains.”

“Once you strike it rich, you can add that to the table though. Besides, your looks aren’t that bad. A little makeup, maybe grow your hair out, and–”

“Makeup on a pig is still a pig, Sara. Unless I can lose weight not much is going to change that.”

“You just need some self-confidence. Everyone likes people who are confident and act without worrying about other people.”

“Everyone likes confident people because attractive people are confident.” Lisa asserted.

They walked together on the cold street in silence for a time before Lisa spoke again. “Finally done trying to cheer me up?”

“I can’t cheer you up if you’re going to just keep making fun of yourself. All I can do is keep you company.”

“Sorry Sara… and thanks.”