Tickets To Neverland

Chapter 8: Sugar Junky in Handcuffs

"I'm doing you a favor Freddy Teddy!" I whined. "I'm trying so hard to resist, but you're not making it easy."

"I believe in you Erin, I-"

"Don't you dare say that. I can't live up to that title." I warned him.

Right now, I'm clinging onto Fred's leg and pounding on the back of his knee. I'd pound his chest too or something, but I don't want to stand up.

Yes, this is happening again. Me, Erin Brooks, throwing a little tantrum. Okay, fine, not so little, but what's the big difference? If you think about it, I'm actually being selfless right now, by throwing this tantrum. I tried to play nice and kindly let Fred down, but he just wouldn't have no for an answer.

We're in the shop, Candy Palace, right now and just from the name, we all know what's wrong with this situation. Well, except for Fred over here. And it's not like I'm the only one who's throwing a tantrum.

So this is how the scene looks like now. Obviously, I'm on the ground clinging onto Fred's leg all the while pounding the back of his knee. Fred here is trying to console me, patting my head and making me feel like I'm worth it.

The other workers who gets the pleasure of seeing our little play are on their knees surrounding Fred and begging him to kick me out and get a restraining order. Why you ask? Because they don't believe in me, and I don't blame them.

One of them is actually crying. Crying! I mean, I don't think I'm that much of a lost cause to cry over. Right now, the girl in the pigtails who's crying is also yelling profanities and is threatening to quit.

"Alright! That's enough!" Fred's voice boomed throughout the shop. I stopped trying to tug on his arm while the other workers seemed to realize what they were doing and quickly stood up from their knees.

"Erin, I know you've had some problems in the past. But, I trust you now. Listen." he said before I could say anything "You need the money don't you? Then suck it up and work."

"But Fred. That's the thing. if I work here for today, you'll be pulling money out of my paycheck. I'm not those little orange things that work for Willy Wonka. No, I'm more like the chubby boy who fell in the chocolate pond and got stuck in a tube." I whined.

"Stop. You'll be fine. And the workers here today will keep an eye on you. It's time for you to get back in the game. Right guys?" he looked pointedly at all the workers specifically pigtail girl. They all quickly nodded their heads while pigtail girl sniffled and nodded, then looked in my direction, glaring.

"Okay, good. the shop opens in about..." he trailed off looking at his watch, "five minutes, so get ready. Erin, you know what you have to do." he walked out of the shop leaving me here with the workers who are scrambling to their stations and pigtail girl, yet again, gives me even dirtier glares while even throwing air punches from ten feet away from me pretending the freaking air is me.

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"Erin!"

"Yeah?" I muffled, slowly turning around to face my not so kind boss for today. I probably had chocolate smeared all over my face along with toffee and more chocolate in my hands.

"What are you doing?" Rob seethed. "You do know potential customers look through these windows to get that 'watching candy makers work' experience.

It's not an 'oh look, I'm going to eat all this chocolate because the health inspectors can't see.' Do you understand that? Now, clean up and do something dutiful with your job as of today."

"Yes Rob." I dropped my head down and trailed off to the bathroom, passing by Rob who crossed his arms and impatiently tapped his foot on the ground while I leave chocolate footprints behind.