Sorry, Not Sorry

- 24

"Cool! Any friend of his is a friend of mine!" He reaches out a fist to fist bump me. I bump it back with a laugh.

"Ok guys, let's get started!" Someone places the bottle in the centre, spinning it. "To see who starts..."

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I yawn and stretch backwards, sipping my drink and anxiously pulling my shirt back down to cover my stomach. The few other people in the circle are also getting restless, but not Max.

He paces behind me. "Who's going next? Let's do this!"

I can see why he wants to. While the others have had to do some freaky stuff, like 7 minutes of heaven, Max and I both haven't had anyone give us any good dares or questions.

"Max! Sit down, and then we'll continue." Sadee says. Shes just as -maybe even more- energetic as Max is. She's had a few drinks.

He flops back down next to me, his knee bumping mine. "Spin it, girl!" He calls to the girl who's turn it was.

She rolls her eyes lazily at him and spins it halfheartidly. After a few rotations it slows gradually, eventually halting, pointing towards Max. "Heck yeah." He jumps up, "Dare or truth, I don't care." I press my fingers into the ground behind me as the girl thinks.

She smirks, "This is gonna sound generic... And also something I should already know... But are you dating anyone right now?"

Max hops from foot to foot. "Boring... Yeah I am. I hadnt told anyone, though. Surprise." He won't look at me. I'm not upset. I'm pretty proud actually.

No, I'm upset. He didn't tell me... Though I suppose we're only new friends. I thought he trusted me, though. I guess it's his choice.

Max doesn't look like he's in the mood to leave just yet, so when the crowd surrounds him and smothers him in questions, I take the chance to leave. I slip out the door and walk down the street, cold air nipping at my nose and cheeks.

I unlock my door and slip inside, closing the door silently with my hip. After washing my hands and gulping down a swig of water, I flop down on my bed. Though the ceiling fan spins above head, the February summer air leaks into my room, heating my body.

Cold outside, hot inside. I guess I'll never win.

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The next few weeks fly by, and since Katherine's lessons have finished for now, I needed to find someplace else to work. It seems like a lame, out of character job, but I totally always wanted to be a Baker as a child.

I often forget about this dream, eating mostly processed food and take out, but as I walk through the main street and a waft of sweet scent blows past me, it's all back.

At the orphanage, I had loved the cook. Most only came for special occasions, but Stacy was there all the time. Once a week she'd make us a sweet treat and I remember waiting in the dining area just go have the freshest snack.

I slip inside the bakery, a bell ringing as I step in the entry mat. The air inside is just as warm as outside, since the doors were open, and it gets warmer the closer to the counter you are.

I stand awkwardly in front of the glass cabinet, peering inside. My eyes sparkle as I look in at the small cupcakes and cookies.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I think. It's only a stupid childhood dream, and what would Max's cool band friends think... How would I get from home to here daily? I can't walk everyday, and I don't have a car. What happens if theres a robbery? A rude customer?

The lady behind the counter places another tray of food in the case, then looks up at me. "How can I help you?"

My eyes flash up at her and I tense up. "Could I have one of those doughnuts you just put out..?" I ask, with a pause, "and, are you hiring?"

She smiles before bending down to pick out on of the doughnuts. "These are my favourites." She chuckles, the stands back up, placing the bag on the counter and wiping putting a hand on her hip. "And yeah, we are hiring right now."

She might sense my excitement, because she chuckles slightly. "How about this." She pulls out a paper from below the counter. "Write your name and phone number on here and I'll get my boss to get back to you for an interveiw."

I nod, grabbing the pen she passed me and my doughnut in its bag, after passing her the money. She goes to pass my change back to me as I bit into the doughnut while writing my details on the paper. I wave my free hand at her, before grabbing the doughnut out of my mouth to say "Keep the change."

She smirks at me before moving on to the next customer.

I slide the paper further into the counter and turn around to leave, doughnut grasped firmly in my mouth as I dig through my pocket for my phone.

I debate on who to text, but settle on mum. I hold my phone in one hand, the other holding my chocolate doughnut in my mouth.

Mum quickly responds after I tell her about the possible new job, and my heart feels warm.

Whether it be from the fresh, hot doughnut, the hot Australian summer weather, or the possible turning point in my life, the heat doesn't fade as I walk down the street.

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Sorry for taking so long to update 😔

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