ℙ𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕩 ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕡𝕝𝕖 [𝓪 𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓲 𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓬]

Cupcakes

Natsuki POV

"Is she ok?" Sayori asked, looking worried. I was worried too, had I upset her? I knew she was annoying and a dummy, but that didn't mean she deserved to be upset.

"I've asked her about it." Monika said with a slight frown, "She says she does these special breathing excercises to calm herself down." She looked over at me, and saw I was worried, "Don't worry Natsuki, you didn't do anything wrong. She can't help it."

I nodded. Maybe that was why Yuri didn't want to talk to me, becuase she had anxiety. I suddenly felt guilty all over again. I should have been more nice to her about her poem.

Monika downed her cup of tea. "Mm, Yuri's tea really is nice." She said mostly to herself.

"Do you have it every week?" I asked. It was very good, but not really filling. 

"Yeah!" Sayori interrupted, just as Monika opened her mouth. "Oops, sorry Monika."

"It's fine." Monika chuckled, "I'm glad your enthusiastic about Yuri's tea Sayori. I tried making little snacks, but I'm hopeless at baking." She let out a little giggle. 

"I- I can bake!" I cried, before I could stop myself. Monika and Sayori looked at me in surprise.

"Really?!" Sayori sneaked, "We could have snacks every day!"

"I'm not sure that's healthy..." Said Monika, maybe you can make cupcakes for next week, because you're officailly a member!" She smiled, and Sayori hugged me from behind which made me yell out in shock, "But maybe we should only have cupcakes for special occasions."

"I can make other snacks, healthy ones." I suggested, "And I don't mind making them!"

"Well, if it's ok with you..." Smiled Monika, glancing at Sayori who was bouncing up and down, "Then I don't see a problem with it!"

"YAAAAAY!!" Yelled Sayori, "I'M SO EXCITED!!"

At that moment, Yuri entered. I barely noticed it, because Sayori was hugging Monika and me so tightly we both could hardly breathe. We we're all laughing, so when Yuri came in, I wasn't sure how to react, and I could tell by Monika's expression that she didn't know either.

Thank god for Sayori.

She bounced up to Yuri, and bubbled over, telling Yuri all about cupcakes and snacks and poems. Me and Monika looked at each other, and laughed.

About 5 minutes later, Monika was busy wiping the board, and Sayori was checking something in her bag. I sidled up to Yuri, who was packing away her book.

"Hey, um." I said, scratching the back of my head, "I- uh... your poem was- good."

She stared at me, not blinking for several seconds. Then without looking away she uttered, "Really?"

"Yeah." I replied, to embarrased to look at her. I just knew I was as red as a strawberry, "D-don't get the wrong idea! I'm not-" I was going to say gay, but where did that come from?! "I just wanted to say that it was good, ok!" I regretted shouting, but when I looked at her, she was smiling.

"Thank you Natsuki." She breathed softly. I was to embarrased to say anything else, so I snapped, "Your welcome I guess." and strode away.

However, I couldn't stop thinking about Yuri. It wasn't like I liked her or anything! I was just kinda worried for her. I thought about it all the way home, right up until I insterted my key into the front door.

"Hello?" I called out, but there was no answer. At first I thought papa was asleep, but he wasn't in his bedroom. I wandered into the kitchen, where I found a note in my dad's scribbly handwriting; it read:

Natsuki,

I have to go out of the country a bit for my new job. You're 17 now, so you should learn how to live by yourself. I've set up a credit card for you and I'll top it up once a week. I wont be back for a few months I think. Be good.

Papa

I had to read the note twice before it sunk in. I was alone for the first time in my life. Relief swept over me. I knew I should've been sad that my dad had gone, but he had been so...

There was no point in whining about it. I picked up the little grey credit card and smiled at it. Maybe the literature club was a good luck charm, I couldn't help thinking. 

It took me half an hour to download the app and work out how to see my account, but I finally figured it out. I had about $100, which would be enough for a week. It would also be enough for cupcake supplies!

I smiled and headed out.

Just as I was walking back from the shops, carrying two bags; one full of general food and the other with cupcake ingredients, I got a text from my phone.

Monika had added you to "💚💙The Literature Club💜💖"

Monika: Hey Natsuki!! Welcome to the group chat!!

Natsuki: thx Monika

Natsuki: heyy everyone :))

Sayori: HEYYY💖

Yuri: Hello Natsuki

Natsuki: just checking, nobody's allergic to anything??

Yuri: Not that I know of...

Monika: Nope :)

Sayori: just walnuts for me :)

Natsuki: thank god bc i've already bought the ingrediants lol

Sayori: CUPCAKES!!!!

Sayori: 🧁🧁🧁

Natsuki: calm down i havent made them yet lol

Sayori:  I CANT WAIT!!!!!

Monika: I cant wait either :)

Yuri: Nor can I 🧁

Natsuki: no pressure lmaoo

Sayori: THEYRE GONNA BE GREAT!!!🧁🧁🧁

I put my phone away so I could open my front door. I felt a warm glow of happiness from inside me, I hadn't had friends these supportive in years. They were all so nice... apart from...

Don't be a dummy! I thought, Yuri's just shy, I'm sure you'll be friends in no time. In fact, if you make good cupcakes, she'll definately like you!!

Yeah, now all I had to do was make good cupcakes. Easy.