How To Find Your Future

40 - Thai Fudge And Kisses

Olivia

Luckily the bakery isn't far from school and doesn't put us far off from our destination. So it doesn't hurt us to stop in quickly. Plus, I think Charlie could use the tiny distraction, and if we're late would it really matter?

The bell jingles as I push the door open. A sigh of relief escapes me when I see my sister sitting at the front instead of Nick. Just because everything is cool between us doesn't mean I've told him about Charlie, or told Charlie about Nick. I don't know why I'm putting it off, maybe out of hope that the longer I wait it won't really matter?

"What are you guys doing here?" Sasha asks.

"Charlie needs something to calm him down before we go to meet his mom," I tell her, making my way over to the till.

She raises an eyebrow. "And why would you come here for that?"

"Because I want him to try some of our Thai fudge."

"Oh?" She peeks over my shoulder and looks at Charlie. "Oooh," she says, with understanding in her voice. "Luckily dad decided to make some today." She looks over her shoulder as she slides off the stool. "Between us, I think mom's being tough for him to deal with."

I nod. I had a feeling that even though she seemed to be okay with me leaving the bakery that it was just an act. And sadly, dad gets to see the real reaction and suffer from it. "It'll be fine." I shrug like it isn't a big deal. "They always work it out in the end."

Sasha bites her lip and nods. "Yeah... you're right." Then, as if I'd come here just to gossip about our parents, she finally walks over to the display case and grabs out two pieces of Thai Fudge. She places them in a bag and hands them to me. "Here you go."

"Thanks. I'll be home late tonight."

She nods. "Okay." Plopping back onto the stool she turns back to her homework, ignoring me. I shake my head, a smile on my face. It's a good thing I'm not a customer.

I turn back around to find Charlie hovering by the door. His hands shoved into his hoodie pockets.

"You ready?" I ask, making my way over to him.

He sighs. "As ready as I can be."

I reach up and rub his arm. "Don't worry. I'll be there with you the whole time. And we can leave whenever you need to."

He nods but still looks unconvinced. I hold the bag up to show him the acquired fudge. "You can try a piece when we get in your car and it should hopefully calm you down."

He eyes the bag. "I sure hope so."

"It will."

We head out to his car. Once we're both in I take the two fudge pieces out of their little baggie. Placing one in his and holding the other in my hand, I hold his gaze. "It's going to taste a little funny," I tell him. "But it should calm you down. Dad puts some herbs in it or something that's supposed to calm your nerves."

"Herbs? In fudge?"

I laugh. "I know. It sounds bad, but you won't taste it."

He still looks at me like I'm crazy, and maybe I am.

"Trust me. On three?"

He shrugs. "Why not."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

We pop the fudge into our mouths. It seems to melt on my tongue, making me think the batch hadn't completely settled before it was put out. But other than that it tastes just like chocolate tea. Which sounds gross but really isn't. The longer I chew it the more I feel my muscles relax and the tension seep out of me. "So what do you think?"