The Quiet One

4 | Candy Store

OKAY I FINISHED THIS CHAPTER IN LIKE 30 MINUTES AND THEN I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED ALL OF IT so I had a massive panic attack. 

Also thanks to your responses from the last chapter, I got an idea of how to write this one! It's just a fun and fluffy part of Harumi's story before it gets darker... also forewarning: I'm a theatre kid.

"You have been studying for weeks, Harumi. You should have gotten a hundred percent."

"You did fine on all of your other assessments. For you to bomb this one is a complete surprise to all of us. You need to do better."

My parents shook their heads in disappointment, and I forced myself to keep my chin up. I had failed my history summarize assessment on the Serpentine. I knew all there was to know about them, and I could have aced it if it weren't for... something.

There were voices— more specifically, a voice, singular— echoing in my mind. It sounded like a faint whisper, as I could clearly hear it. On the other hand I knew that nobody else heard it. The voice wasn't friendly, either. It was deep and silky, as if it was trying to lure me. It scared me, but at the same time intrigued me.

The voice bothered me a lot, but I managed to put it out of my mind for the time being. My parents were getting on my nerves, as it was in the middle of the school time. No breaks, no holidays, no change in the monotony and boredom. I was itching to rebel.

I got my chance one day when my parents left (again) for royal duties that didn't really seem to have a purpose (again). I was left with Hutchins for company (again), who just wanted to read in his study (again). All I had to do was tell him that I wasn't feeling well, fake a cold, and get my day off. Hutchins was smarter than to enter a princess' room without her permission, so he wouldn't notice if I was gone.

So that's what I did. Second day after my parents left, I made the excuse. He gave me the cold medicine ("Because you're old enough to make these choices") and left me alone.

FREEDOM!

One thing the palace didn't have was unhealthy foods. We only had healthy kale salads and keto-diet snacks. There weren't any potato chips or candy. Though I knew it was another link between me and the Green Ninja, I couldn't deny my love for sweets.

Given my short time span of freedom and hungry stomach, I couldn't demolish the city like I wanted to. Instead, I thought that raiding the nearby candy store wouldn't be a bad idea. The chain was all over Ninjago, and the nearest store to the palace was only a few blocks away.

I hurled the golden crown at my bed, letting my hair free and loose. I shoved my dress into a drawer and pulled a black cloak over the stupidly green silk leggings. Nobody would notice I was the princess, as the few times I do appear to the public I have a full face of makeup, my hair's all done up, and I'm wearing a freaking dress.

I took to the main streets, humming a random tune under my breath. I stuck my foot out at people who weren't paying attention and tripped them, or shoved past people harder than necessary. I laughed freely, letting my long hair float in the wind (and also whip people in the eyes).

Grabbing the door frame, I swung my body into the store, elbowing a man out of the way. I continued to sing happily, my jolly demeanor not wavering.

Honey, what'chya waiiiting fo-or? Welcome to my CANDY STORE~

I pulled cotton candy and lollipops off the shelves in the handfuls, other customers keeping their distance from me. I knew that to them, they saw the black eyes of a wild twelve-year-old glittering maliciously as she ravaged a candy store like she's never had any... which was true.

I purposely bumped into a rack of full boxes, spilling them on the floor of the small store. The stacked boxes of giant chocolates fell to the floor, and I trod hard on the bars. Gaining confidence, I began kicking displays and knocking candy to the floor. Toffees rolled across the cheap flooring, and I swept all the strawberry licorice on one shelf into my bag.

Caramel wafers made their way to my bag, the remainder of them joining other candies on the floor. I gleefully slammed a hard fist on a plastic shelf, sending the boxes and sweets tumbling to the ground. The only store worker stood behind the cash register, probably playing Princess Ponies or something on her BorgPhone. Finally, she noticed the disarray I was causing in the shop, destroying all the goods inside.

I kicked a boot at a wooden stand, knocking huge jars of saltwater taffies and jelly beans down. The jars shattered, shredded glass and candy contributing to the layer of goods that coated the shop floor. I could no longer see the creaky floor, but rather crushed sweets.

"Hey!" the girl yelled, trying to get around the counter without crushing any more of the candy. I laughed and ran from the store, which was now devoid of customers.

I dashed into an alleyway and climbed up a telephone pole, jumping onto the roof of the palace and discreetly sliding into my room. I buried the chocolate-smelling clothes in the bottom of my hamper and put on my favorite red fleecy pajamas.

They were warm and fuzzy and embroidered with knives, swords, and other weapons (none that the ninja used), and the occasional angry face. The useless sewing classes paid off one day when I was (actually) sick and bored.

In my Wartime Murder pajamas and with a giant bag of heaping candy, I took to eating my "medicine" and plotted more ways to wreck Ninjago City.

🍭