The wood of my lemonade stand was splintering under my fingers but the stinging feeling it left was somewhat enticing. I barely felt anything anymore so even pain was refreshing. I simply stood and waited for someone, anyone, to order lemonade. The people who walked the busy sidewalks beside my stand were always too occupied to stop for a drink. The blueish tint to their phones reflected in their eyes as they passed me, barely giving a glance my way. Regardless, I stood in front of my humble lemonade stand, desperate for the 50 cents a cup costs.
"Hey can I have a cup?" I looked downward as a child approached the counter of the stand.
"Mhm, that'll be 50 cents, " I said cheerfully.
She handed me two quarters in exchange for a cup and drank it quickly. The girl thanked me and skipped off. And I was alone again. This was how my days went. One after another, slowly blending into the same routine. Wake up, get ready, run the stand, go home, sleep, repeat. It was barely enough money to keep food on the table. So why am I here?, I couldn't help asking myself. The question rang through my head as a man approached me.
He was shorter than me and wore a silly yellow coat that resembled a duck. I couldn't help but scoff at his ensemble.
"Hey, " he said in a husky voice. I gulped in response, my words suddenly caught in my throat. Beneath the coat, he was a rather muscular man. His blonde hair and green eyes shone against his tan skin. The perfect jawline he wore dipped as he smiled, noticing my probably red cheeks.
"Got any grapes?" he whispered, his hand stretching to lean against the counter of the stand.
"N-no, " I stammered. "We just sell lemonade."
His smile dropped as if he hasn't read the sign on the stand.
"B-but it's cold and it's fresh and it's all homemade, " I rushed out, hoping he wouldn't leave like all the other customers. "Can I get you a glass?" I whimpered as he stepped closer, his voice only a whisper now.
"I'll pass."
I shivered as he stepped back and gave me a chuckle. He doesn't want any lemonade? Why did he come to my stand?
I smiled at him meekly, hoping the blush that adorned my cheeks had disappeared. He grinned and gave me a wink before turning back to the sidewalk.
Then, he waddled away.
