Mina's Apple Pie

The Fall Fundraiser

"Don't forget your bento papa." I say, as my father rushes to put on his shoes. I hand him his lunch and he musters a generous, yet exhausted smile on his face. "Thank you Mina. What would I do without you." He plants a kiss on my forehead and rushes out the door for work, as he does most mornings.

I pack my own bento into my book bag, and head out the door not much after. I enjoy fall mornings. The crisp, cool, autumn breeze combing through my hair and caressing my cheeks. The crunch of the leaves beneath my feet. It soothed my mind, and helped me feel less alone. Fall days were my mothers favourite, the smell of her pies cutting through the air like a knife. On days like these, it felt like she was with me.

✧༺♥༻✧

I sat in my seat at the back of the class just like I did every morning. Taking out my black composition notebook, and my signature dark red pen, today was no different than the other days. As my classmates all greeted one another and talked about what they did over the weekend, what video games they played, and cute boys, I sat quietly, waiting for class to start. I didn't have friends, I wasn't very good at making them.

Nobody was mean to me, it was more the fact that nobody noticed me. I blended in with the background, as if I were the white paint on the walls. In group assignments I'd take silent leadership, completing the work and allowing my group members to share the credit. They always thanked me with a smile, but it was a polite smile, not the smile of someone who cared to know who you were, or what your life was like.

As the final bell rang everyone took their seats and greeted Mrs.Kang upon arrival. She took attendance like she did every morning, and I couldn't help but wonder as she read out each and every name, if anyone recognized that I was Mina, or if I was simply another name amongst their own.

"Before we start our lesson today I have a very exciting announcement! This year our grade will be attending a Winter Ski Trip along with a few neighbouring high schools in Tokyo!" The class erupted in excited chatters and murmurs, to which Mrs.Kang gestured for everyone to quiet down.

"With that being said, we will be hosting a bake sale at the local farmers market next week, and the week after. The sign up sheet will be hung up outside of the auditorium before lunch. Please specify if you'd like to be team leader, or group member! We will have other fundraising events throughout the fall season, so please get involved!"

My eyes sparkled, and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks flush. A flashback of my mom baking in our kitchen came to mind, a warm pumpkin and chai candle burning on the counter. Her long black hair was tied in a ponytail, and she had a fresh oven baked pie placed in her mitten-covered hands. They were white with apples and fall leaves on them, her favourite pair. Her smile was contagious, with pearly white teeth, and rosy red cheeks. I knew in that moment I would do something out of character. I would be team leader, and I would bake her signature apple pie.