Everybody's Romeo, Nobody's Juliet

Chapter Six: A Tart and the Two Princes

The car screeched to a halt in a parking lot of a local elementary school. Mrs. Braun, Kristopher's mom, clapped her hands together. Her blonde bob cut swooshing as she looked over her shoulder. "All right everyone, grab a basket and go." She said. Kristopher got out from his seat and opened the back door. Rose also got out from the backseat followed by Kendra, Kristopher's sister. She looked like a young, girl version of her brother. Mrs. Kruger exited from the other side of the car, her purse in tow. Kristopher handed Kendra a single basket while she waited for their mom, who was carrying two baskets herself, before skipping merrily towards the school building. Mrs. Kruger took another two baskets and followed Mrs. Braun inside the school. Rose carried two baskets on one hand and picked up another two with the other as she waited for Kristopher who had his arms wrapped around both boxes. Making sure that all the doors were locked, they followed the three through the parking lot.

"So how was the date?" Kristopher asked, adjusting his arms around the boxes when he felt them sliding down.

Rose was taking dainty steps, careful not to spill a tart from any of the baskets. "What date?"

"With your football Prince Charming?"

She stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow at him. "How did you know?"

"So, it was a date indeed." Kristopher said with his head tilted to the left, nodding mischievously.

She rolled her eyes at him. "No, it wasn't, stalker."

"Gross, you wish. Aren told me, he saw you and Marco at McDonald's."

"That lanky blonde snitch." She said, shaking her head in indignation. "And for your information, it wasn't a date."

"Sure it wasn't." Kristopher replied. "Just a guy and a girl hanging out and eating ice cream in the middle of the night. Not a date."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Whatever. Shut up." She freed her right hand by putting the baskets on the floor and opened the school door. Kristopher held it open using his back while Rose picked up the baskets and went inside. Kendra was waiting for them at the end of the hallway, motioning them to hurry up.

"I know where it is." Kristopher yelled. "Go on." Kendra nodded and disappeared from view as she ran to the left. Kristopher look at Rose and continued, "Anyway, did you have good time?"

"I'm not telling."

Kristopher smirked. "You don't have to, that cheeky grin plastered on your face says it all."

Rose tried to frown but ended up looking like someone who just bit a slice of lemon. Kristopher burst out laughing.

"Shut up." Rose said. "I said shut up." She extended her leg in front of Kristopher. "Shut up or I'll trip you."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." Kristopher replied, still chuckling. "What did you guys talk about?"

"Nothing much. Just the match."

"You guys never strayed to friendly questions?"

"Nope."

"Liar. C'mon, I'm just curious."

"No, you're just nosey."

As they made the left turn Kendra went to earlier, both of them could hear a crowd at the end of the hall. They quickened their pace and, this time, made a right turn. The double-door at the end of the hallway was wide open, leading to the school yard. As they stepped out, they were greeted by running children, chattering parents, and scurrying teachers.

"Kristopher! Rose! Over here!" Mrs. Braun was waving at them before disappearing behind a wall of people.

Rose and Kristopher zigzagged their way through the crowd until they spotted Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Kruger sitting behind a long table amongst others, their baskets all neatly lined up on top of it. Kendra was nowhere in sight. Rose set her baskets on the table as Kristopher removed the cupcake holders from the boxes and began to assemble them. Once he was done, Mrs. Braun put a piece of different pastry as display.