Strawberries On Top

🍓TWO🍓

He was always the first to greet her. 

She knocked a few times and waited for him to open the door, and it never opened. And normally, Shoofly would appear in case Huck wasn't home -- but he never appeared after a few more knocks. In her mind, it would've been ideal if he had written her a courtesy letter postponing their original plans or at least written to her that he was going to be a bit late. 

But she didn't let this stop her from her having her awaited adventure. With her wagon in tow, she smiled and just made her to Cookie Corner. And relief washed over once she saw Ginger Snap's place in the distance. 

Knock!

Knock!

Knock!

She waited a few minutes and Ginger Snap didn't appear. She figured she was probably sleeping or too busy in the factory and knocked a few more times. 

Knock! 

Knock! 

Knock!

Now Strawberry grew suspicious. Two friends, and neither of them were in their home. She wasn't sure if there was a surprise being planned that she didn't know about, or if her friends were purposefully avoiding her -- her mind was spiraling. It grew even worse when she turned to the right and noticed Huck's skateboard leaning on the side of factory. 

Something came over her, she couldn't explain it. She stealthily left her wagon by the front foor and staggered to the nearest window to give her friend hand signals. She was surprised to see a melancholy Chocolate Chipmunk sitting on the windowsill. 

She gave the chipmunk a soft smile, and a loving, gentle pat on his head. "Hey, there, Chocolate." The chipmunk's almond shaped eyes beamed at the sight of Strawberry, smiling lightly in return. "Can you let Ginger know I'm outside?" 

She grew dubious when the chipmunk grew even sadder and shook his head. "Huh? What's the matter? "He made extra room for her on the windowsill, and pointed his tail at Ginger Snap. Strawberry took that as her cue to lay her head on the windowsill right next to the chipmunk. 

When she rested her chin on the sill, she was bemused at the sight in front of her. It was Huck inside with Ginger Snap -- she was sobbing -- and he was holding her. Strawberry felt something in her stomach after seeing them hug the way they did. 

"I'm sorry, Ginger Snap." He said while he let her go. "It has nothing to do with you as a person, but.. she's the one I've been in love with for a really long time." 

"But I don't understand... why Strawberry?" She wiped her face. "She doesn't even like you, and she doesn't see you.. like how I see you. You're just a friend to her." 

Strawberry didn't have any more interest in hearing the rest of their conversation. Her stomach churned and she needed to get away, as soon as she could. She stumbled on the ground after lifting her head on the windowsill. Leaving her wagon in the same place, she ran as if her life depended on it. 

And in this instance, it did.