Journey of the Mind

Nikki

"What do you mean we are all out?" Zach said angrily.

He looks so cute when he gets mad. His muscles tend to tense, making them press against his shirt. His shaggy brown hair covering his green eyes. His jaw gets all firm but looks so relaxed. He is 5 inches taller than me, but for some reason, I am much stronger than him.

"I mean that there is no more muffins, cookies, and pie."

"Did you at least try to make some more?"

"You and I both know that I am not good at baking. You want me to poison your mom's customers? Look, you agreed to watch over your mother's bakery, but I thought that you would know what you were doing. That is why I agreed to help you."

He smiles, "Are you sure that is the only reason?" He looks into my brown eyes and winks. He smiles at me with pure love but it doesn't seem like the love I have for him. It happens almost all the time.  When he smiles it feels real and I can tell that it isn't fake. It's filled with real love that I don't know how to describe. Yet when he is flirting or talks about love, it all fades. Seeming like it's a big struggle for him to do such a thing. As if it hurts him deep in his heart. I can see the pain in his eyes even though he tries to hide it as best he can.

Seeing him like this sometimes makes me wonder what he is thinking and what causes him to be so caged in. I smile though to make him think that everything is ok. "I may be dating you, but that doesn't mean you can get me that easily."

Zach laughed and kissed my forehead. Once again, I can feel that it isn't right for him. He held my head with great caution and his kiss was as if he was being careful. That he doesn't want to do it at all. I'll go check the back and you stay here to help the customers." 

While he was working on making more baked goods, I stood next to the cashier. Smelling the baked goods. Cream puffs, muffins, cookies, pies, cupcakes, and even danishes. Looking around I can see how well people get along. Couples laughing at each other's jokes and little kids happy to get time with their parents while enjoying their piece of pie. I was so distracted that I didn't notice the woman that was waiting for me to focus.

"I'm sorry, miss. Is there anything that interests you?" Her face is covered by her hoodie, but there was a streak of blonde hair poking out. She was very slim and had pale hands. "I would like a muffin," she says.

"I'm sorry but we are out of muffins for now. If you stay a little longer, we might be able to get some more."

She stood there, no signs of movement. I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off by handing me a hundred dollars. "For you." For me?  Confusion filled my mind and I nearly didn't notice when the women had left and turned the corner of the bakery. Even though I knew that Zack would get mad at me for leaving my post, I ran after her. Turning the corner, I bumped into the woman and she didn't seem angry. Her hood was covering more of her face than before. She seemed like she was looking at me, and she didn't move at all. 

"H-Here is your money back." She stood still, not noticing that I was holding out the money to her. Silence broke in, and we stood there doing nothing. "It isn't right for me to take what clearly belongs to you." She took her time taking the money back. Her hand was hovering over the $100 bill, but soon took it and walked away.

That was very weird. Turning around, I saw a face directly in front of me now. It was so unexpected that I screamed. He covered my mouth with his rough hands and pulled me in his direction. I stopped and stood still, he soon uncovered my mouth. "What are you doing? You are supposed to be helping the customers!" Zack yelled.

Anger ran through my veins, unable to stop what was to come next. My fist punched him straight in his face, leaving a quick bruise. "First of all, don't you dare do that again! You seemed like you were about to kidnap me! And second of all, I was helping a customer! She gave me money and I didn't want it!"