Melodies in the Wind

Donuts

Amara had been spending the morning training with Pearl. It was always a grind—trying to keep up with the relentless routines, especially with Pearl's sharp eye and high expectations. After an intense sparring session, she decided to take a break. Her muscles ached, and her mind was beginning to feel the strain. She needed a change of pace.

Heading out of the temple, Amara decided to walk through Beach City. She was still getting used to the idea of being here, and there was something calming about the gentle breeze off the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing in the distance. The town felt so different from her life back home, and she appreciated the change.

Walking down the main street, Amara passed a bright pink building with a big neon sign that said "The Big Donut." She had heard people mention it before—some kind of famous donut shop in Beach City. Curious, she pushed the door open and entered.

The smell of fresh donuts and coffee instantly hit her, and she was greeted by the familiar hum of fans and the low music playing in the background. The shop had a cozy feel, with a small seating area and a counter where customers were to order. Behind the counter, a girl with short, messy hair and a casual, laid-back attitude was serving. She looked up and smiled as Amara stepped up to the counter.

"Hey, welcome to The Big Donut! What can I get you?" Sadie asked, her tone friendly and relaxed.

Amara smiled back, feeling a little nervous but curious. "Uh, I'm not really sure what to order. I've never been here before."

Sadie leaned against the counter, still smiling. "No worries. We've got all kinds of donuts—regular glazed, chocolate, sprinkles, jelly-filled, you name it. But if you're new, I recommend trying the classic glazed or the jelly-filled. They're a favorite."

Amara thought for a moment, then decided on the jelly-filled. It had been a while since she'd had anything sweet, and it seemed like a good choice.

"I'll take a jelly-filled donut, then, please," Amara said, stepping forward.

"Coming right up," Sadie said as she quickly grabbed a donut from the display case and handed it over.

Amara took the donut and thanked Sadie, then glanced around the shop. It was small but charming, with a few booths near the window and a counter by the wall. It felt comfortable, like the kind of place people came to relax after a long day with a wonderful view of the ocean.

Sadie eyed her for a moment before speaking. "You don't look like you're from around here," she commented, leaning on the counter. "New in town?"

Amara nodded, taking a small bite of her donut. "Yeah, sort of. I've been living here for a bit, but I've been spending most of my time training... with the Gems."

Sadie's eyes widened a little, clearly interested. "Oh, no way! That's awesome. You're training with the Gems? That's pretty cool. They're kind of like legends around here, right?"

Amara chuckled. "Yeah, they're something like that. I've been learning a lot from them—mostly from Pearl, actually. She's been teaching me a lot of the basics, but it's... a lot, you know?"

Sadie nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I can imagine! Those Gems are strong, huh? Steven's a usual around here. Tells me about fights and things. It must be intense."

"It is," Amara agreed. "But I'm getting there. Slowly, but surely."

Sadie grinned, leaning closer. "Well, if you ever need a break from all that serious training stuff, you know where to find me. This place is great for some downtime, and the donuts always help. Plus, I work here, so I'm kind of a local expert on chill."

Amara laughed at Sadie's easygoing attitude. "I'll definitely keep that in mind. It's nice to meet someone around here who isn't... you know, from that whole Gem world."

Sadie chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Yeah, we humans have our own thing going on. Donuts and coffee, mostly. You should come by anytime. You'll get used to the craziness around here."

"I think I already am," Amara said with a small smile. "Anyway, I'm glad I stopped by. I'll probably be back. The donut was great."

Sadie waved her hand. "You better! And hey, if you ever need someone to hang out with or just talk about Gem stuff... you've got me. Not saying I know anything about fighting or anything, but I can definitely listen."

Amara grinned. "Thanks, Sadie. I appreciate it."