Synonyms For Better

Chapter 2 - Because Whipped Cream Doesn't Hurt

"WHAT ACTUALLY constitutes evening time?"

After roaming the house for a good while and taking note of where everything was located— including four bathrooms, two life-sized paintings of Cleopatra, and a shaggy, silky rug that looked like its sole purpose in life was for someone to slip and trip on it— I had officially been ordered to get some fresh air outside and tour the town.

"Evening, hmm? Well, I would say five thirty to seven thirty," Aunt Cheryl had mused as she wiped down the barely there and microscopic dust on that pretty black and white striped vase by the entrance. She had then paused and exaggeratedly looked at a non-existent watch on her left wrist. "But more importantly, what evening is not is right now."

She'd slapped some money into my hands even though I protested, and then told me that I shouldn't be back home before five o'clock. When I whined about getting lost in this foreign and exotic town, she'd deadpanned that even two year olds armed with just a toy compass could make their way around here.

Ouch. Talk about direct attacks and comparing my sightseeing skills to two year olds'.

And then she'd casually given me the offer of helping with her garden instead, and when I desperately said okay to that, she'd looked at me like I had two heads (Her exact words were: "That was supposed to be reverse psychology or whatever, Cora, and it always works! You're so suspicious!"). I guessed she didn't take my daffodil and periwinkle skills seriously. Her petunias would also have to wait in line for my tender loving care.

And so, that is why I stumbled outside with more than three hours to spare in this unfamiliar town. I'd put away my tourist-y travel capris and t-shirt and instead changed into the most casual thing I could find: worn grey jeans and a thin, pale-blue knit cowl-neck sweater that had holes for the thumbs. My thirteen year old self would have been pleased with that addition, so I tucked them in and set towards the main road.

It took just a few minutes until I saw the first shop, looking small and modest but the name sign was nice and big and shone colourfully, inviting. It read Delight Pops in fancy curlicue writing with round lights alternating red, blue, and green in the letters. Finding it quite auspicious that my first stop was a food shop of some sort, I jogged towards it and pulled the door open.

The windchimes on the door jangled slightly, making a sound that made me think of magical fairies creating perfect glass from pixie dust. I walked inside in awe, confirming in my head that spending money in a place like this was worth it. The ceiling was a sparkling red, with a huge upside down dome that slightly dipped in the middle of it, reminding me of a Christmas ornament hanging on a tree and stealing the spotlight. The walls had forest green wallpaper and were lined with smooth wooden panels spread far apart. The coffee bar was lit with a cozy, yellowish light and was right beside the cashier area and food display, while the rest of the shop was lit more dimly and had cute little tables in groups. At the very back were some lounging chairs, next to a teeming revolving bookcase, and there were vintage photographs placed on the wall there. As I walked in further, I was hit with the welcoming air that smelled of fresh coffee, mixing with the aroma of chocolate and cakes.

I pulled out some money and crushed the bills in my hands, a nervous excitement taking over as I looked at the menu TV overhead. Irish Coffee Macarons; Strawberry Shortcake topped with Spice Cookie Slabs; Blueberry Cream Puffs; Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Shortcake; Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars, I read. Wow. I hadn't even heard of half of these before.

Since I'd eaten plenty at Aunt Cheryl's anyway, I decided to go with a warm drink. Sure enough, they had hot chocolate with whipped cream, and I just about danced in delight when I realized the price was lower because it was one of their original menu items, along with cake pops, when they first started this shop.