RECAP:
Gosh. Such rudeness. Who the hell did they think they were?
I looked over at Bree, who was sweating so much. "Shit, Ellie."
Confused, I asked, "Why? Did you see those girls? They acted like they were celebrities or something."
"My gosh, Elle," she sighed. "Alli Stoker is the mayor's daughter."
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Chapter Six
"So?" I said. "Did you even see what she did to you?" The image of Bree all shriveled up behind me like a scared puppy.
Bree sighed. "You don't get it. She's not JUST the mayor's daughter. She's the biggest asshole in town, and seeing you insulting her just scares me." We reached where her car was parked, the sun beating down on us. Bree started her engine, "She'll come after you for sure."
I humphed. It's not like I'm used to that or something, I thought about my parents.
"Elle, listen," Bree said as we drove down back down to our neighborhood, "Alli's a spoiled brat. The only reason why she got into honors classes was because her dad complained to the board of ed. She dates ANYONE she wants, and gosh... I feel bad for her exes..."
"What about them?" I asked, engrossed in the gossip. I haven't had one of these in a while, and I was a sucker for juicy gossips.
She shook her head in pity. "I've heard stories that one of them went to jail, and the rest, each one came back to school with their heads down like she put a curse on them, you know?"
I laughed at the thought of Alli tying her ex up at a chair, demanding why he wanted to break up with her. Poor thing.
"This is not funny, okay?" Bree whined like a little girl, making me laugh even more.
"Okay," I finally stopped.
"I've been through Hades just being in her class, okay? God, she's the worst lab partner you could ever have. And now she hates me for not giving her the answers in class.."
"I'm sorry," I said softly, realizing that Bree was probably bullied or made fun at by Alli and her friend. Made fun. of. my friend. "Aw come on, Bree. You know you're way better than her."
She nodded slightly as she parked the car in front of my grandma's cottage. "I know, I know," she said and forced a smile. "But I'm telling you now, you better avoid her before things get worse. And trust me, you don't want to mess with the mayor's daughter."
I tried to laugh at it, but something about her serious tone wanted me to wake up to the impending mess that would happen.
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It's already been two weeks since my sentence to Crystal Cove, and it's July already. The deadline for the 2,000 cupcakes was coming in a flurry. Grandma started ordering the ingredients she would need. No store she went to had enough flour. Or icing. Or eggs and butter and vanilla.
"Gosh, Grandma, aren't you worried?" I asked her one evening when the customers died down. The workers were already washing the dishes and cleaning the tables. In her office, I was watching Grandma design a fondant cake with a tier that looked like fireworks.
"No," she said. "If you think about it, after the celebration, maybe we'll get more customers. Our bakery will be promoted across Crystal Cove--- and probably the surrounding areas--- exciting!"
True that. It was an honor for Short and Sweet to supply dessert for the guests. Then a horror struck me--- What if somehow Alli finds out I was related to the owner of the bakery? She'll blame Short and Sweet for sure. I crossed my fingers that she wouldn't. After all, she didn't have the chance to catch my name.
Our conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. I answered it and found Bryan.
"Someone wants to talk to you," he said, eyes droopy.
Wondering who it might be, I told Grandma to excuse me, and I went to the cafe, finding Joshua waiting by the counter. His angular nose and cheekbones were pink-- probably from the sun. His arms looked well-toned by the polo he was wearing.
"Hey," he greeted, half-smiling.
I felt my heart skip a beat. "Hey, what's up?"
He shoved a hand in his pocket and the other one ran through his sandy hair. "Well... I was wondering.."
My heart raced. Was he asking me out? I've only just gotten out of a relationship, but he doesn't know that.. He'll make fun of me. Why was I feeling this way? I've only just seen the guy a couple of days ago. But then again, nothing beats what we had shared the summer 10 years ago. Our mindless chatter, our races in the beach, his hair golden from the sunlight, and me without the slightest care in the world and of how I looked like... God, I actually missed those.
"Are you doing anything tomorrow?" There was a hint of uncertainty in his face. Before I could answer no, he added, "Ronnie's home from his trip to Las Vegas, and my parents really want to see you."
I smiled at the thought of meeting Ron again, even though I knew that he's probably pick on me like the old days. I also liked Mrs. Chandler; she was the sweetest person ever. She always welcomed me to their house when I wanted to play with Joshua. "Sure," I said. "I can come, but I don't have a car---"
"Don't worry about that," Joshua cut me off. "I'll pick you up at your Gram's house."
"That sounds fine," I said, although I was leaping inside me. I smiled at him and he smiled back, and for a moment, I saw the boy was playmates with ten years ago.
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