The Cupcake Theory

42) I Hate Clichés

42) I Hate Clichés

I've never been good at finding things.

'I spy' was me saying random words that started with the letter hoping that I'd be right.
Where's Wally was always a struggle with the book making me go cross-eyed. Did you ever think that Wally didn't want to be found for a reason?

I gave up on even attempting to find misplaced things. If my mum couldn't find it then I just accepted I will never see it again.

Let's not even get into hide and seek because that's just a horror story by itself.

Now trying to find a living human being that has driven away in his car and could be anywhere right now is going to be almost impossible to find. I have never been put in this type of situation before.

How am I supposed to find a person that probably doesn't want to be found?

Unsure of how to approach the situation I sit in the driver's seat of my mum's Sudan for five minutes pondering if I REALLY need to go find him. After having a very in-depth argument with myself I decide it is in my best interest to find Sam.

My search doesn't last that long though.

"What do you mean chocolate syrup is extra? Since when did this count as an extra or as a luxury item? This is a conspiracy I tell you!" I throw my hands down on the counter in outrage. The teen behind the counter with a bad case of acne jumps at my outburst. With any luck, this will be his first day.

"Listen here, Timmy. I have exactly $4.20 which is the price of one scoop plus choice of one topping. After collecting your said ice-cream concoction you usually pump your own syrup on top and walk off into the sunset. That's how life works around here Timmy."

"W-we have a new manager a-and they have raised the price of everything and made the syrup an extra 50c."

"Well, I don't have an extra 50c. I'm broke and I want ice cream. I could have gone to the supermarket and bought a giant tub of ice cream for the same price but did I? Nooooooo. I decided to support the local business and buy overpriced flavoured frozen cream from here." Sighing dramatically I give the cashier a pitiful look. He's probably a newbie and has no idea how ice-cream ethics work. "See this is why I like frozen yoghurt better. You can put as many toppings on top as you like and you pay by weight. Plus they have a rewards program which is a bonus."

The poor kid looks cluelessly around, most chance trying to find somebody else to replace him or an escape route, "Uhh we don't have rewards but we do send out a voucher for a free scoop on your birthday," he suggests, sliding me a pamphlet.

"Sign me up. But it still doesn't mean that I'm happy about my ice cream."

"Do you still want the syrup?" He holds out my small cup of partially melted ice cream.

"Of course I do! I just can't afford it which should be against my customer rig-"

A hand comes from behind me and hands Timmy a $5 note which he takes happily. The hand takes my ice cream and puts a swirl of syrup on top before giving it back to me.

I murmur a quick thank you before making my way out of the shop. A pair of footsteps falls in sync with mine as we wander along the sidewalk. I quickly tie my hair up to stop the sea breeze turning it into a birds nest.

"How did you know I'd be here? Did you follow me?" Sam asks keeping his eyes on the path ahead.

I have to hold back a moan after taking the first spoonful of delectable ice-cream, "I had no clue where you'd be so I drove via your house to check for your car than went to the soccer field because I'm not sure if you're the type of person to take their feelings out through physical activity. Obviously, you weren't at the there so I thought I might take a break and decided to come here. I was going to text you later to make sure you were alive. I don't think your parents would appreciate you coming back in a body bag."