Cupcake Girl

01

Chapter 1 | The Cherry On Top
Listen to Walking On Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves for this chapter.

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Annnd... plop! The red cherry landed comfortably on the soft frosting of the cupcake. Smiling, my eyes travelled upon the sprinkles and the air holes of the sponge, making my tastebuds tingle. Without hesitating, I took a big bite in the cupcake and enjoyed the flavour of it, finishing every last bit.

Baking has always been what I wanted to do. There's something about the essence of it that really gets something going inside my mind. It's the combination of flavours, the art in the decorating and the crisp of the cooking - all that fun stuff.

But there is one part I hate. I look around at all of the dishes and flour scattered across my kitchen counter in shame. The cleaning part.

I sigh and put dirty spoons and bowls into the soapy water sitting in the basin. This is always the part I dread.

It's kind of good in way, I guess it makes me feel more accomplished.

Taking a sponge, I scrub at the excess cake mixture smeared on the bowl.

I had been practising the Victoria Special today. It's a cupcake filled with jam, spread with frosting and topped off with a cherry. It's been a best seller since the bakery opened, so my mom decided I should learn it. So far, so good. Although I still can't quite master the cherry drop. It always ends up wonky and frosting stained.

My mom can do anything. It honestly feels like she's some sort of superhero- witch with a spatula as a weapon. Pastries, cakes, donuts, yoghurt, ice cream - you name it, she can bake it. I guess it all comes down to practise. But I swear if she keeps practicing mad for another year she will be able to click her fingers and a cake will land in the palm of her flour-covered hand whenever she wants. Most people would think that's a good th-

"Ew ew ew ew ew!" I shriek away from the basin after touching something gross and slimey hidden in the sink. I gag and quickly dry my hands. The washing can wait for later.

Just as I am about to walk through to the livingroom, I suddenly hear a faint knock on the door. I walk towards it and open it in one movement to reveal my best friend, Olivia. She was stood with a smile and a big shopping bag at her feet.

"Oh, hey." I rest my hand on the door. "What are you doing here."

"I have something for you,"

Without permission, she brushed passed my shoulder and into my apartment.

"What is it?" I shut the door behind her and showed her to the living room. "I haven't got much done yet, there's still piles of brown boxes stacked up in the corner of the room. I only have my couch and part of the TV assembled."

She scrunched her nose up. "Have you been baking in here?"

"Yeah, but's only-"

She squealed like a child. "I love cake!"

I widened my eyes and tried to stop what I knew would happen next. She ran off to the disastrous kitchen and I hurried after her in fear.

Her eyes widened at the mess. "It's a tip in here." She swallowed. "But I like the tiles."

"Yeah, well, I was just cleaning up." I folded my arms over my chest. "What is it, anyway?"