Page 67 of The Anaconda Downstairs

“Well, thank God for that,” Kelsey's voice broke through our bubble. “I was about ready to lock you two in the basement again until you figured it out.”

I laughed, turning in Everett's arms to face our friends. The room suddenly felt warmer, safer. This was my family now, I realized. These people who supported us, who were ready to fight for us.

“Alright, lovebirds,” Declan grumbled, but I could hear the affection in his voice. “Now that we've got that settled, can we please figure out how to take this fatphobic douchecanoe down? I volunteer to just go sit on him until he cries uncle.”

The reality of the outside world, the people who wanted to hurt me, came crashing back. And I wanted to throw up. Which wasn't a very nice thing to do ten seconds after someone just declared they loved you.

So I held it in. I let it bubble and boil inside.

We had barely started brainstorming when the front door burst open, a whirlwind of energy sweeping into the room.

“Alright, fam, the slay squad has arrived,” Jules announced, striding in with Trixie close behind. “Oh, and Pen? I'm totally calling you sis from now on. You snuck in on me. Love it. Welcome to the Kingman Queens.”

Everett's little sister was cool as hell. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it made me smile too.

Trixie, ever the calm in the storm, gave me a warm hug. “How are you holding up, honey? Are we ordering in commiseration ice cream before planning Odin's trip to Valhalla or are we going straight to the Valkyrie ride?”

“Better now,” I admitted, glancing at Everett. He winked at me, and my face warmed like I’d had too much red wine, butthere was also the heat in my stomach worrying about how any of this was going to help.

“Okay, people,” Neith said, taking charge. “We need a plan. Odin's threat is real. He's got a lot of followers, and while you two were playing kissy face, I was monitoring the socials. He's got his garbage followers already reposting and there’s some content from them popping up already. We need to get ahead of it.”

Jules plopped down on the couch, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Oh, I've got plans. That axeface won't know what hit him.”

“Jules,” Everett warned, but I could see he was fighting a smile.

Trixie pulled out her tablet. “I've sent the bat signal out to the Take Up Space Network. We're ready to mobilize at a moment's notice. We just need to know the plan.”

“What exactly are we dealing with here?” Declan asked, his brow furrowed. “What's this guy's angle?”

I took a deep breath. “Odin's planning an exposé series. He wants to reveal what he calls 'fake' body positivity advocates. And... I am clearly his first target.”

Kelsey huffed. “You’re an important voice, Pen.”

Neith nodded and said, “Yes, but most of your platform is the Besties. I think he's going to wait and see how this hits, and if he gets traction, you're likely next Kelsey.”

“God, I'm so sorry I opened you up to this, Kelsey. It might be better if... if I separated from the company.”

The room fell silent for a moment and Everett's arm tightened around me. But Kelsey pointed at me and shook her head. “Not on your life. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. He's picking on you because he's afraid of me.”

“As he fucking should be,” Declan cut in.

“He knows he can hit at my platform, my fans, my people, through you, but he thinks he won't feel my wrath if he doesn't strike directly at me? That's some bullshit right there. And we are going to take him down.”

Her voice was powerful, low, and fierce. “We will hit back in a way he won't even see coming.”

We all waited with bated breath to hear her plan.

“With positivity. When he goes low, we go high. We're going to flood social media with real stories, real bodies, real love. We are going to drown him in pure unadulterated joy.”

“I like it,” Neith nodded. “We could do a video series, get influential voices to speak out against body shaming.”

“Ooh, I feel a hashtag campaign coming on,” Jules exclaimed. “#RealBodyLove or #OdinCanSuckOnHisAxe or something like that.”

The room buzzed with ideas and energy, and a familiar feeling tightened my chest. Everyone was so ready to fight, so confident in our ability to take on Odin. But inside, I was still that insecure girl, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Guys,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned to me. I took a deep breath. “I appreciate all of this, really. But... I don't know if I can do this.”

Everett's arm tightened around me. “Pen, what do you mean?”

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