Late With The Cake!

“Now what?” asks Summer. Everyone's silent not knowing how to answer that.

“Where too late.…” mutters Autumn. When they came to pick up a cake for Summer and Autumn’s brother’s birthday party, the bakery was closed.

“WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DOOOO?!” cries April dramatically as she lifts her arm above her head and falls into Summer’s arms.

“Sheesh you don’t have to be so dramatic. And it's not that serious." Autumn mutters while rolling her eyes.

“Aaaaaaahhh!” April wails ignoring Autumn.

“HELP ME!” mouths Summer to June.

June sighs, “Okay, look April, we still have a few more hours till the birthday party. And there are lots of bakery stores in our city!”

April gets up and glares at June. “What do you mean we have time?! It takes forever to find the right cake!”

June bites her lip at this, “Well…” is all she can say.

“We promised that we will find the right cake! Weeks ago! We could’ve picked it up earlier! The grown-ups trusted us!” April says sadly.

Autumn rolls her eyes. “Who said we have to get a cake? We told the grown-ups that we will pick up something like a cake.” says Autumn, shrugging.

April’s eyes widen but she doesn't say anything.

“Yea! Autumn is right! We can just bring cupcakes! You know, my 8 year old brother loves anything. Even cake pops will do!” agrees Summer.

“Wow. I'm usually the one coming up with the great ideas…” mumbles June, looking at the floor.

The others pause and turn to June.

June looks up. “What?”

April clears her throat. “Okaaaay, let's buy cupcakes then. There’s a good cupcake store around the corner.”

“Good job little sis! Why didn't we think of this before? You should speak up more.” says Summer patting Autumn on the back. June flinches at this but nobody notices.

The group hops on their bikes and starts pedaling to the cupcake bakery.

“To the right everybody!” declares April as they roll down a hill.

“Wahoooo!” says Summer, pumping her fist in the air. At that, April glares at her.

“What?” asks Summer.

“Yeah…don’t do that.” replies April. Summer grins and does it again.

While April is giving Summer a lecture on why not to do that, Autumn slows her bike down and falls next to June, who is in the back.

“You good?” asks Autumn.

“Yeah. Great idea.” replies June, then she speeds up leaving Autumn behind.

Why did I say that? I like it when Autumn shares her ideas. It feels like she’s trying to take my spot, but I know she’s not like that. I’ve always been the leader, and no one ever questions me. So why do I feel jealous? thinks June as she pedals away.

“Okay everyone we are here!” exclaims April, interrupting June’s train of thoughts.

A small building with a frosting top. (Of course with sprinkles) And a sign that says:

Cup 8s.

“Cup eights?” Autumn says with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, their normal sized boxes of cupcakes are eight in each box.”

“Yeah but…”

“Guys, can we just get the cupcakes? We're tight on schedule!” interrupts June tapping her watch.

Autumn sighs and holds the door open for everyone.

April walks in first, then Summer, and June goes in next, then Autumn closes the door.

“Awww! It’s so cutesy here!” breathes Summer. Small chairs that look like cupcake wrappers surround mini round tables.

April smirks, “See I told you I knew a place.”

Summer smiles as June rolls her eyes.

“Welcome! How can I help you girls?” asks an elderly woman cleaning the counter. She’s wearing a name tag that says, Jannie.

“Can we get a, uh, what flavors do you sell here?” asks June.

“Over there.” answers the woman, Jannie, pointing.

“Thanks.” replies June.

Autumn leans over to Summer. “Eeck. Straight to business, didn't even say hi!” whispers Autumn.

“That’s just who she is.” Summer whispers back.

“Okay, which ones do we get?” asks April, “Churro, Velvet, Funfetti, Lemon, Raspberry Jelly filled, Carrot…”

“Ooohhh! Funfetti! Yummm! They all sound soo good…” says Summer dreamily.

“Funfetti is more for girls.” mutters Autumn.

“Right, and there are going to be mostly boys.” agrees April.

“And velvet is too old for 8 yr olds. How about the lemon ones?” suggests June.

“That's perfect!” replies April, while Summer and Autumn nod.

“Okay, can we get two boxes of the Lazy Lemon cupcakes?” asks June.

“Sure.” replies Jannie typing on the cashier, “Is that all? That would be Eight dollars.”

“Eight dollars for 2 boxes? Cheap. These better be good…” mumbles Autumn.

April turns to Autumn, “Gurl, these are not for us they are for the kids! And stop complaining!”

What does she know about not complaining? She does it all the time! thinks Autumn.

After June pays, they all go back outside with April carrying the boxes.

“Ok, now that we have the cupcakes, let's go to the party.” April says proudly.

Autumn looks at her watch, “Um guys, the party is in 5 MINUTES!”

“Okay lets go!!!” yells June as she jumps on her bike.

“Good thing my bike has a basket!” April says as she gently places the cupcakes in her basket.

“Hurry up April!” calls back June, already on the road.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming!” replies April.

The girls zoom down the road toward their cousin’s house.

“Wow I didn't realize what a lovely day it is until now!” sings April happily. Autumn nods in agreement.

“Hey girls!” waves a neighbor, Mrs. Plum, while trimming her bushes. Summer waves back.

I’m glad my cousins, Summer and Autumn live in our same neighborhood! thinks June as she parks her bike on her cousin’s driveway. A few cars are already parked on the street.

June runs up to the door and yanks it open.

“June! How’s my niece doing?” welcomes Summer’s mom, Mrs. Holly.

“Hey Aunt Holly.” replies June hugging her.

“COMING THROUGH!” warns April as she steps into the house with Summer and Autumn trailing behind her.

“Hey Mom!” says Summer as she and Autumn are pulled into a hug.

“You girls got the cake?” asks Mrs. Holly while she lets go of her daughters.

April grins. “Something like that, Aunt.”

“Here put the box over here…” says Mrs. Holly as she directs April outside to the backyard.

“I’m going to change into something more comfortable. Be right back!” says Summer then she runs up the stairs.

I need to apologize to Autumn, I think I was a bit mean to her earlier. thinks June.

“Look Autumn…” starts June fidgeting with her bracelet, “I’m sorry I got mad at you earlier. It's just, well, you know how I like to be in charge. And, uh, I’m still getting used to listening to other peoples ideas…”

“And when everyone congratulated me, you thought I was trying to be in charge like you are.” finishes Autumn.

June’s jaw drops. “How did you know!”

Autumn smiles and shrugs, “I’m great at listening.”

June chuckles then sighs, “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, it’s fine! Just remember, everyone has great ideas, you just gotta listen to them!”

They hug and then head to the kitchen.

“Does anyone need help?” asks June.

April is making some fresh punch while everyone carries the food to the backyard.

“Yes! Can you pass me those strawberries?” asks April.

June picks up the plastic container and slides it to her.

“I’m going outside!” announces Autumn as she lightly and quietly closes the door behind her.

“Hey April? I don’t think I ever told you this, but I’m glad we’re sisters.”

April smiles, “Me too June!”

“JUNE! APRIL! COME ON OUT HERE! WE’RE BOUT TO START!” calls Summer from outside.

The sisters laugh as they pick up the juice and carry it outside.

“Ooohhhh! Cupcakes! I was hoping it was cupcakes! Ohhh I love lemon!” The girls hear Summer’s brother say.

“We are glad you like little bro, you have no idea what we went through!” says Autumn, joyfully.

All linking arms, the girls laugh as they think about the small journey that they had looking for the right desert.

“Next time I want banana pudding!” He adds with his mouthful.

“Your sisters did very well finding your cupcakes. They should do this every year!” agrees Ms. Molly, April’s and June’s mom.

The girls freeze and look at each other.

“I don’t think we have a store that sells that here!” whispers April.

“Guess we’re going on another desert hunt soon!” laughs June.

Their laughter fills the air as the sun sets.

THE END