The Next Big Thing (34 page)

Jagger picked up a bottle of olive oil and began dribbling it over the lettuce. “Yet, here you are.” He smiled.

“Here I am.”

Epilogue

Right after the news went out that I’d landed a hosting gig on
Wake-Up Call,
Nick phoned and asked if I’d given any thought to reconciliation. “We still have that trip to Hawaii,” he said.

At first, I thought he was joking. He feigned ignorance, pretending not to have read the l
atest gossip.

Jagger and I were
officially a couple.

“That’s brilliant that you’re going to be on MTV, Kat!” Nick had said. “And it makes what I have to say even harder. I behaved so foolishly when we met. I didn’t recognize your potential. I was thinking only of what would best serve my needs at the moment.”

He went on to say he hadn’t been in love, but was merely “helping” Alyssa, and that she was “helping” him. In other words, they’d been mutually using each other.

“Zaidee pressured me into it, saying a love affair would boost ratings. I should never have listened to her,” he’d said. “It was you I really wanted to be with, not
Alyssa.”

“That’s too bad.”

“Next time I’m in town let’s get together for a coffee,” he’d said. “We can plan our Hawaii trip.” I go to L.A. quite frequently now. So often I’m thinking of leasing a flat there.” 

“
Sure thing, Nick,” I said, “If time permits.” Then I hung up the phone and put him on my “do not answer” list.

So
Alyssa and Nick were breaking up. It seemed everyone else was getting together: Donna and Kevin Arp were engaged and Janelle was mulling reconciliation with her ex-husband Matt (oddly enough, being on the show had brought back their feelings for each other). Even Regan had a new boyfriend—and would be taking part in
From Fat to Fabulous 2
as a special consultant.

We all e-mail back and forth on a regular basis, and we’re planning to meet up soon. These days my
Gmail inbox is always full.

Despite being nicknamed The Brat, I’ve won my fair share of fans. Heavy women all over
America e-mail to thank me for speaking out on their behalf. Sometimes they stop me on the street or in restaurants and say hi.

I have no illusions. I know that fame is fickle, and that remaining in the limelight for longer than fifteen minutes is an admirable feat.

But I’m optimistic. And I’m risking things.

I’m not waiting for life to
begin anymore.

Discussion Questions

Do you find it ironic that Kat wants to go on a reality show, when she seems to have so much trouble facing up to reality herself?

Why do you think Kat was so attracted to Nick, even though she had never met him?

To what extent do you think Kat lives in a fantasy world?

Discuss Kat’s relationship with her best friend, Donna.

How has Kat’s weight affected her life? Do you think she sometimes blames her weight for certain failures or disappointments? Does she use her weight as an excuse?

Why do you think Kat and Nick were initially attracted to each other?

Have you ever met someone online? How did it turn out?

The reporter who interviews Kat says, “the American Dream is no longer rags-to-riches. The new American Dream is fame.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Who was your favourite character in the novel?
Least favourite?

Do you think Kat’s nickname, Kat the Brat, was well-deserved? If so, why?