"Ion know what's wrong with her. She ain't smiled all day."
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"Pick the one you want." The sentence echoed in her mind as she climbed to the top of the canister. She was this close to the one she wanted. She spotted it earlier, and after getting permission to pick her heart's desire, she was going for the best.
Sighing in relief, she held it closely to herself before she carefully climbed out of the tall canister backward, refusing to face the ground or she would cry. Her feet hit the shiny white floor, holding it away from her as she smiled at the stuffed animal she worked so hard to get, staring back at her.
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She squealed as she held it closely again. "So good." She smelled the Cinnabon and was surprised that it smelled like sweet cinnamon and soft maple apple.
However, her happiness quickly disappeared from her face, and her lower lip quivered as she looked around her. She turned her plush toward underneath her ample chest, comforting herself when she noticed that the cinnamon scent emitted when she squeezed it.
Aisle after aisle, her chubby legs ached as the store seemed to get bigger and bigger as she strolled along and came up empty at each turn. She didn't want to tear up because she always got teary-eyed eyes and couldn't see anything until she calmed down, which wouldn't help her right now.
She squeezed the plush once more, comforting her. She blinked twice, clearing her eyes and nasal passage. Her breath hitched as she brought her legs into a soft jog. She headed down the opposite end of the aisle, following each aisle to the other side of the enormous store.
Stopping quickly, catching her breath, she spoke with hastened breath, "I got this one." She held up the plush, shoving it in Benjamin's face. Her voice was wavering as she still ached from her small run and her excitement for finding her close friend. Relief washed over her but dissipated quickly,
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"Who are you looking for?" The confused man asked as he pushed the plush toy that was being shoved in his face.
She held the toy close to her face under her chin, her lips trembling as she gazed at the man looking back at her,
"You! But I guess not." She was exhausted and didn't have any more fights, and she wanted to go home.
"Um, I could help you find who you're looking for. Do you know his name?" he watched her nod, her face sinking into the stuffy, "Lead the Way."
The two turned and began going to the front of the store. He opted out of making an announcement she was scared enough. He had suggested that they start from the store's beginning and look around slowly.
He would often look at her to see if she spotted the mystery man. When she hadn't made any indication, he continued to lead them around the store. "Benjamin!" she tugged on his arm, sliding her fingers down to his palm and grasping his hand into hers. He looked over at her, and she looked over at him. Using her eyes, she pointed at a man standing not too far away with his hands in his hair. She held his hand tightly in hers and bolted towards him.
Midway through their run across the store to the distraught man, he asked hurriedly, "Are you sure that's him?" to which she replied, "Benjamin!" in the biggest shout he had heard from her since they met. He watched as the man turned toward them. They began to slow in their run and changed to a brisk walk. As they reached the joyful man, he opened his arms to her, hugging her tightly as the plush would allow.
He stood astonished. They do look alike. No wonder there is confusion. She handed Ben her plush and turned towards me, smiling, telling her not to mention it when she tried to thank me. " See you around, baby girl."
