Cupcake Girl

03

Chapter 3 | Goldilocks
Listen to Cake By The Ocean by DNCE for this chapter.

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I unlocked the door to my house and stepped inside, immediately feeling the change in temperature. Lately it had fallen down to below freezing temperatures and, me, with about £5 to spare, couldn't afford a winter jacket.

Although it's not winter, it's spring.

I collapse on the couch, realising how good it felt to finally rest my legs. These jeans felt like the drainpipe trouser trend in the 1950's. And 3..2...1... I unbuttoned my jeans. Ahh. Sweet freedom.

It still felt good to come home and look around at my property. It felt good to carry a responsibility, maybe because it gives me reason or, maybe because it makes me feel like I'm independent. That's something I used to struggle a lot with.

When I was younger, I'd be forever dreaming of a life in which I could make my own decisions. Be behind the wheel in my own life, not just sitting in the passengers seat. Well, now I have that. For some reason it feels exactly how I expected it to. Amazing.

I groan when I hear someone knocking at the door. I almost consider ignoring it when I realise something. It must be the kid I need to babysit. Oh - let me fill you in. So, the bakery had been losing a lot of money recently which was probably due to the new pizzeria opening downtown - whatever, but anyway I needed more cash coming in because, like I said, I can't even afford a winter jacket. I set up a facebook post online a few days ago offering a few babysitting dates for anyone and I received a few replies. One stuck out to me most because, well, she was a single parent with a 4 year old baby girl - apparently her son isn't old enough to look after her. I got back to her immediately and arranged a time for her.

I was really excited. Kids honestly make me so happy. I got up and opened the door. There stood a shivering little Anastasia with her work-driven mother standing on the step outside.

I smiled widely at Anastasia as she stood shyly, clutching her mother's much larger hand. "Hi, Ms Williams." I said to her mother.

"Hello, Maya?" She creased her eyebrows unsurely.

"Well, uh..." I'll let it slide this once. "Yeah, it's pronounced Mae-ya."

"Oh, right!" She giggled. "Anyway, you are Anastasia's first ever babysitter, so she's a little shy." She looked down at the small blonde who was almost hiding behind her mother's legs now.

"Aww, hi, Anastasia!" I knealt down to be face-to-face with her, putting on that high pitched baby voice we all do. "I'm Maya, and I'll be looking after you for the day."

She looked into my eyes, almost like I was an alien. Her mother just smiled. "Go, on, Anna. She doesn't bite."

She still stayed silent so me and Valarie decided to have some small talk whilst she softened up. "So, are you a professional?"

I gulped. What if she needed a real babysitter? "Uh... Well, I'm 18 - I've had some experience."

"It doesn't matter." She grinned. "As long as I can trust you."