MPJS Chap 6: Evening Cake Surprise Aroma(James E Boston IV) Flashing cameras twinkle like the stars that decorate the dark canvas of the night sky. The claps of the fans are the soft, warm covers that help me sleep. Now I can finally live my dream. I can finally get a sip from the champagne bottles that hold my drink of success. As drops of champagne sprinkled across the room, I thought about the hearts of the people I touched across the town. No longer is this a fantasy. No longer is this a fairytale. My daydream became a typical day.

“I’ll admit. I didn’t think you’d get this far.” said Tootsie as she puffed on her cigarette, creating a cloud of smoke that made me cough.

“Your innocence is amusing,” said Tootsie.

“Do I smell a backhanded compliment?” I said.

“Na, don’t mind me. I just don’t see people like you often. Especially around these parts.” said Tootsie.

“Good, cause if that was a backhanded compliment, I would slap you with the back of my hand,” I said before we both laughed.

“Me and my pal were about to have a night out. Ya wanna tag along?” asked Tootsie.

“Sure, it would be cool to get to know some of the female Ice Killers,” I said.

“Follow me outside. It’s been a while since I had a girl’s night out.” said Tootsie as she put on a coat.

Once we stepped into the chilly wind that felt like I was stepping into a large freezer room, I saw a bright light approaching us from afar. When the vehicle approached us, I flapped my wings with joy like a butterfly fresh out of the cocoon, flapping its wings for the first time. It’s been so long since I hung out with a group of girlfriends. When the car parked, a girl with brown hair and a gun tattoo on her left forearm looked at me. She had an Ice Killer tattoo on her right arm.

“Dysnomia, the pink chick?” She said after she rolled down the window.

“Yeah, that’s me. How did you know who I was?” I asked.

“Because you’re the newest Ice Killer. On top of that, we all know you took down the Reaper. The way you took down that brutal murderer was something. Word got around. Other gangs know about it too.” She said as she looked into my eyes like she was trying to figure something out about me. It almost looked like she was looking into my soul.

“I’m not one to brag, but I’m the best superhero in the city.” I said.

“Hopefully, you don’t end up like that knight. You’re lucky that you’re part of the Ice Killer gang because people be too scared to mess with us. You ain’t gonna end up in the dirt like that knight.” She said as Tootsie sat beside her and I sat in the back seat.

“They call me Milli.” She said as she pressed on the gas pedal.

As the wheels of the car rolled on the surface of the road that was smooth like a freshly assembled wooden floor, memories rushed to my mind like a river of the purest water. Such memories are a pure part of my soul. They are the very essence of my past. A part of me believed I died long ago. Little did I know I would get a little taste of those moments again. As we traveled across the highway, the thought of my best friends Midnight and Sad Fée accompanied me. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the company of my new friends because I saw every friend that I got as a gift from the universe.

The experience was the mirror reflection of the time that I spent with my sisters. However, the reflection was covered with a few smudges. Milli and Tootsie surprised me with a VIP pass into a club. It reminded me of the parties that I had with my sisters, even though Mother Fée would never approve of this party. The party wasn’t clean at all. The smell of various drugs filled the air that was strong enough to cause a poor soul’s lungs to rot like an old pumpkin. There were people doing dance moves that would make a movie rated R. The swearing would’ve caused all the cloudy fées to feel so dirty that they would bathe in the purest water to purify themselves.

“I love your Ice Killer tattoo,” I said.

“I appreciate it,” said Milli.

“Do you like mine?” asked Tootsie as she rolled up her sleeve.

“Yeah, so both of y’all have one.” I said.

“Not just both of us, but every Ice Killer gang member has Ice Killer tattooed somewhere on their body at least once.” said Milli.

“Wow, I don’t have one,” I said.

“Ya might wanna get one. There’s a lot of power in being an Ice Killer. It just might save your life one day.” said Milli.

“You wanna drink?” said Milli after she poured a strong alcoholic beverage into her mouth like she was filling up a large pool with water.

“I bet you never had a drink like this?” said Tootsie.

“I haven’t, but I don’t eat or drink. Cloudy fées rely on peace points from our protégés for energy.” I said.

“Well, you’re gonna have some now!” said Milli as she splashed a bottle of alcohol on me.

They both laughed at me like I was a clown that stepped on stage to entertain them. I knew they won that battle, but I had to find a way to snatch their laughter from them. I couldn’t let them have the last laugh. I smirked as an idea slipped into my head.

I fluttered my drenched wings and drops of alcohol showered upon them like a gray cloud caught them off guard. They sat there puzzled as I laughed at the fools that got pranked by the so-called clown. How did the joke make a joke out of them?

“Why would you embarrass me like that?! Never do that again! You’re lucky you’re an Ice Killer because if you weren’t, I would pull out my pistol and blow those wings off of you!” said Milli.

“I’m sorry, Milli. I was just joking.” I said.

“Well, I bet the joke isn’t funny now!” said Milli as she whipped a pistol out of her pocket.

“Don’t do this, Milli. We are friends!” I said after I screamed.

“Not anymore. Stop talking! You know what? Forget this! You’re history!” shouted Milli before I heard the click of the trigger.

After I heard what I believed to be my final scream, there was nothing but the intense stare of Milli. She looked into my eyes like she just wished upon a star for me to be put in a casket. The hatred in her eyes slipped into a smile.

“Pranked ya,” said Milli, before they both laughed.

“Yeah, I knew it was a prank. I just wanted to prank you back by making you think I was falling for it.” I said, attempting to catch my breath that seemed to be running away from me.

“Yeah right. You know you fell for that. Milli had you terrified.” said Tootsie after she took a sip of alcohol.

“Her little prop gun didn’t scare me.” I said.

“Don’t lie to me, sis. You fell for it. I wish we recorded it.” said Milli.

“You’re my hero, Milli.” whispered Tootsie after she blew cigarette smoke from her mouth while watching Milli laugh at me.

That was just one scene for our girls’ night out. We made a scene at the mall when I bought them clothes worth a few hundred dollars. Another scene that we made was when I bought them expensive meals. We made a scene outside when they wanted to watch me fly.

I noticed that the drive wasn’t nearly as smooth as it was when we were going to the club. The car was wobbling on the road and we almost got into a few wrecks. Nevertheless, we had a good time. I enjoyed my newfound sisters. I couldn’t help but to smile at Milli as she dropped us off at Tootsie’s house.

“Wanna spend a night at my house?” asked Tootsie.

“Why not, Toots?” I said.

“This is my house,” said Tootsie after she opened the door. 

We stepped into the warm, stuffy air of the living room. I looked around at her living room. It was nothing impressive, but nothing below the average standard of living.

“The TV is all yours,” said Tootsie as she looked at the small television with antennas that sat on top of a dusty desk.

The floor was covered by a tan carpet that looked like someone should have swept it a long time ago. VHS and DVD covers were scattered on the floor. I was constantly harassed by the whiffs of cigarette smoke, but I just ignored it. There were a few empty cigarette boxes on the floor. I couldn’t complain. It was far better than the house that Husky sleeps in.

“You can go anywhere you want. Make yourself at home. Just don’t go into the basement.” said Tootsie.

As I watched some rock music videos on her television, my mind was being pestered by a thought. I wish that Tootsie never told me about the basement because I desired to see what was hidden in there. I had an urge to snatch the door open and slip into the depth of her basement.

Why doesn’t she want me to go into the basement? Is there treasure hidden in there? A present? Something sacred? What if it is something more sinister? A dead body? I hope not. The possibilities are endless.

I reached my highest level of tolerance. I could take the pest anymore, so I dealt with it. I cracked the door of Tootsie’s bedroom open and saw her sleeping on the bed. I smirked before heading to the door to the basement. I took a deep breath and opened the door. I slowly walked down the steps. I turned on the light switch as soon as the basement floor was beneath my shoes. A whole new world was revealed to me.

On the wall, I saw a poster of a woman that had a skirt and makeup that looked similar to Snow White. The image evoked a sense of melancholy energy within me. The woman had tears tainted with black mascara rolling down her cheeks. The stream of black tears that rolled upon her cheeks showed how tainted her life was.

As I observed more elements of the room, I saw that the Melancholy aura didn’t emanate from one source. There were various elements that evoked this emotion. Eventually, I discovered that each of the elements tied together like parts of a story. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what the story meant. All I could do was ponder.

The sighting of paintings of sad clowns and yellow frowny faces drew happiness from my soul like a needle drawing blood. Such a needle truly stung because I knew Tootsie was silently crying for help. She seemed so lively, but I failed to realize that she was silently dying inside. As a superhero, I can’t save the world and let my friend be silently tormented. I wouldn’t stop shuffling through her basement until I discovered all the pieces of the puzzle and put it together. I knew I had to see the big picture.

I opened a treasure box and found a bunch of tiaras. As I shuffled through the tiaras, I felt something that felt like a book cover. I pulled it out and to my surprise, it was a book that had gray clouds and raindrops falling from them.

“Perhaps I found my answer,” I said as I opened the book.

“Wow! Tootsie’s diary. I hope you’re okay, Tootsie. As a superhero, I won’t let you fall by the wayside.” I said before reading the diary that was essentially her diagnosis document.

“Hey Dysnomia,” said Tootsie as she walked to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about your little secret,” I said.

“What secret are you talking about, Dysnomia? You know I have no secret.” said Tootsie as she took a bottle of alcohol out of the refrigerator.

“You can be honest. I’m your friend. Plus, I am a superhero. It is my job to solve problems.” I said.

“Dysnomia, does it look like I have problems? I have power. I’m part of the most powerful gang in the nation. I have a boyfriend that gives me whatever I ask for.” said Tootsie.

“I’m glad that you’re doing well, but I’m sorry that you're being haunted by your past.” I said.

“What past?” said Tootsie as she gave me a side eyed look.

“The past in this little diary,” I said as I picked up the diary from under the kitchen table and held it high and proud.

She looked like she just saw a ghost walk through a wall. I wouldn’t be surprised if she fainted and I had to call the ambulance. I wasn’t sure what her reaction would be, but I knew she couldn’t hide behind lies any longer. The curtains were opened unexpectedly and her secret was exposed for the audience to see.

After ten minutes of her complaining about me going through her belongings, I attempted to get around the wall of her rage. I knew that behind that wall of rage was a terrified victim of their past. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she kicked me out of her house, but for some reason, she didn’t.

“Why would you look through my stuff?! No one was ever supposed to see the personal stuff in my basement! I told you not to go in there!” said Tootsie.

“I’m sorry, Tootsie. I’m sorry I went into your basement when you told me not to.” I said.

“You’re in the gang world. If you keep on doing things like this, someone will kill you. You’re lucky I’m not ruthless and I like you.” said Tootsie.

“I’m sorry, Tootsie. Relax. Do you want a drink?” I asked.

“No! I won’t take anything from you!” said Tootsie as she sat on a chair at the kitchen table.

“Actually, I can’t turn down a drink,” said Tootsie as she took a deep breath.

“I’m assuming everything in your diary about your trauma is true.” I said as I handed her a bottle of alcohol.

“Well, since you already read my diary, I might as well answer you. Yes, it is true. When I was in high school, I was harassed by a girl named Alice. I wasn’t one to entertain drama, so most of the time I ignored her. It wasn’t until the night of my prom that she broke me. I had a crush on this guy named Brad. Everyone knew him. He was the popular kid on the football team and had girls after him and all that.”

“I was a timid girl. I was shy and didn’t think I would ever have a shot with him. One day, luck found me and for some reason he asked me for a date to the prom. I was so excited I told everyone at the school. When prom night came, I was dressed like a girl ready for a beauty pageant and all that.”

“Brad and Alice were the couple that were crowned prom king and queen. Everyone humiliated and laughed at me for getting my date stolen by Alice. I couldn’t believe that it was actually happening. I couldn’t finish the prom. I ran out and cried. I don’t even think that Brad really wanted to date me. I think Alice orchestrated the whole thing.” said Tootsie as her eyes became soaked with tears.

“I’m sorry about your story, Tootsie. Don’t forget, I’m a superhero, so I can help you.” I said.

“Don’t worry about it. The past is done. It’s dead and gone.” said Tootsie.

“If that were the case, then you wouldn’t dwell on it with your secret belongings. I know you avoid going to high school reunions. You mentioned a high school reunion coming up in a couple of days in your diary. You should go. You need closure.” I said.

“Why? Just so I can be humiliated again.” said Tootsie.

“No, so you can become prom queen and beat Alice at her own game.” I said.

“Don’t worry about it. Prom king and queen have nothing to do with looks or clothes, anyway. It’s about popularity. It’s about who has the most friends.” said Tootsie.

“Okay, I guess I’ll leave you alone,” I said in a melancholy tone. “I guess I should be going home now,”

“Yeah, I guess you should,” Tootsie responded.

As I stepped out of the house, I thought about the painting of the sad woman. Such a painting is truly one that Tootsie is stuck in. Tootsie is forever trapped in a painting with no chance of escaping. Well, she thinks that’s the case, anyway. With the right tools and paint, I can modify the painting, giving it a much more vibrant aura. I smiled when an idea came to my mind.

As I strolled down the block, I noticed a couple of women laughing as they held bags full of clothes. They were literally a walking luxury clothing store because all they had was name brand clothing and necklaces around their neck. They looked like they won a million dollars. I knew that if Tootsie became friends with them, they could probably just buy her way to prom queen.

“Hey girls,” I said as I skated towards them.

“Hey,” said the woman as they stopped and looked at me.

“I have a friend named Tootsie. She really needs a friend. Would any of you be nice enough to be her friend?” I asked.

“You must be Tootsie,” said one woman before they all laughed.

“No, she is my friend. She is really cool. She likes to hang out. She likes to have fun.” I said.

“My friends are like that, too. Why should we be friends with her?” asked the girl with black shades.

“Because her name is Tootsie and she can make your night pop,” I said.

The women chuckled. The dream of making Tootsie smile made me smile in reality. Soon, such a dream will become a reality. I was already one step closer to being friends with a prom queen.

“Can I get all of your phone numbers? So, you can hang out with Tootsie.” I said as I took an old receipt out of my pocket and handed it to them.

“You know what? Why not? I kinda like you.” said one woman.

The women wrote their numbers on the receipt and handed it to me. As they walked away, I smiled at my victory. I was truly the finest chief that baked the day the way I wanted to. As I roamed the town like a nomad, I couldn’t escape the scent of the sour lemon cake. The sweet smell of the cake was quite pleasant. I met the sweetest people that were flattered that I asked them to become friends with Tootsie. The sour aroma that emanated from the cake made me put on my yuck face. 

On the flip side of the coin, I discovered people ignoring my request and looking at me like I’m crazy. They just tell me no before walking off. Such sour personalities left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. It is their loss, not Tootsie’s. At least Tootsie doesn’t have to suffer from whiffs of the sour scent like me. 

Once the sun was in the process of going to bed, its rays cast the perfect sunset that is every artist’s dream to paint. I saw a close friend. Tootsie glanced at me and waved. Just like the moon, I turned the direction of the wave back to her.

“I was able to help you, Tootsie! Isn’t that amazing!” I said as I skated towards her like I was in a skating competition.

“Help me with what?” asked Tootsie.

“Hey girls. My friend Tootsie is right here. She wants to become the prom queen, so she needs more friends. She doesn’t have a lot of friends. Can you be her friend and save her?” I said.

The group of girls laughed before they continued walking. I noticed Tootsie’s face turn as red as a cherry. She covered her face like she was a hermit crab hiding in her shell. As she attempted to shield herself from the world, a few people gave her awkward stares before going on with their day. I wish she didn’t get a whiff of the sour aroma that spread through the air. All I could do was try to mask the odor with a pleasant scent.

“Why would you humiliate me like that? How many people did you tell that to?” said Tootsie.

“Too many to count. You made a ton of friends. I have the receipt to prove it.” I said as I pulled out the receipt with phone numbers on it.

Within a second, my cheek stung with a handprint on it. I heard her curse at me as she retreated back into her cave of depression. Her tears stained the sidewalk as she swiftly walked away from me.

“That slap was unnecessary. I was helping you.” I said as I rubbed my cheek.

The cake that I spent the whole day baking wasn’t received well by critics. I felt like a failure. My success was actually the ingredient to Tootsie’s success. I couldn’t help but dwell on the past, just like Tootsie, because I not only failed myself, but I failed her. The cake that I spent the entire day baking was supposed to be enjoyed by both of us. Together, we were supposed to savor every taste of the most delightful cake. Together, we were supposed to indulge ourselves in the aroma of the freshly baked batter and warm, sweet cream. When life gave her lemons, I was truly going to give her lemon cake.

“Why weren’t you at Tootsie’s house earlier?! I drove a long way to get you just for Tootsie to tell me you weren’t there! Then I just get a call from a random phone number with your voice telling me to pick you up! Why would you treat me like this?!” said Husky as he drove.

“I’m sorry, Husky, but I had to ask someone to use their phone because I don’t have one yet.” I said.

“You have a job, plus you got money from the gang! You can afford to buy one yourself! When someone goes out of their way to do something nice for you, don’t ditch them! That is rude and inconsiderate!” He said.

“I’m sorry, Husky. I won’t do it again.” I said as the thought of the taste of the cake that I baked made my stomach hurt.

When I got home, I was so engrossed in my failure that I didn’t even say hey to Bryce. I wasn’t talkative. I hid in my own little world like a hermit crab and didn’t peek my head out of my shell one time. Eventually, he sensed my aura was off.

“Are you okay, Dysnomia?” asked Bryce.

“Can you take me to the store?” I asked.

“Why?” He asked.

“It is important. I have to make things right.” I said.

Once Bryce dropped me off at the store, I knew I had to wear my chief outfit because I was back in the kitchen. When you bake a cake and don’t score a ten, just go back in the kitchen and bake one again. As I looked around for makeup, I thought about the marks on her arms and face. Such marks were truly symbols of her trauma. I didn’t know what caused the marks, but I knew it was possible that they could’ve been self inflicted.

After I purchased the makeup, Bryce drove me to the destination that I was terrified to enter. I failed the first time. The thought of my past mistake made my anxiety levels go up. As I stepped towards the door, I was essentially walking into the next baking competition. Will my cake win the prize this time? That was a question that made my anxiety shoot through the roof.

I knocked on the door. Not a single sound was returned to me. I didn’t hear footsteps or the doorknob turning. I knocked on the door again. It was like life was looking in a mirror because the results mirrored the results of the past. After waiting for fifteen minutes, my patience started to thin. I knew it was only thirty minutes away from midnight, but sometimes you have to interrupt someone’s sleep to give them the medicine they need.

I turned the doorknob and cracked the door open. All I saw was darkness. I slowly opened the door before fluttering into the darkness. I fluttered around the house with my eyes on the lookout for curly blonde hair. It was almost as if the house was abandoned. I didn’t see anyone. I had one more place to check. A place that was the base of her true feelings and emotions.

I fluttered to the basement door and opened it. Tootsie threw her belongings into a garbage bag as she shuffled through her treasure chest. I landed on the floor before skating towards her.

“Hey Tootsie,” I said.

She screamed as she turned around to look right into my eyes. She took quick paced breaths as she gently placed her hand on her forehead. I gave her a smirk.

“Why did you break into my house?! What is wrong with you?! We used to be friends! Why are you tormenting me? First you went in my forbidden room! You told the whole town my embarrassing secret! Now you break into my house! I thought you were a superhero!” said Tootsie.

“I’m sorry, but I think you should go to the high school reunion tomorrow,” I said.

“No! I never went. I won’t start now.” said Tootsie.

“Why not?” I asked.

“So, I won’t get embarrassed again. I heard that Alice wins prom queen at every reunion. I can’t lose to her again!” said Tootsie.

“Why won’t you relax and have a cig?” I said.

“I already smoked the whole pack. You know what you did to my stress levels!” said Tootsie.

“Instead of taking your anger out on me, how about you take it out on Alice? I know you fear embarrassment, but your little secret is already out there. What do you have to lose? You might as well go to the high school reunion tomorrow and beat Alice at her own game.” I said.

“And how will I do that?!” said Tootsie as she slammed one of her tiaras on the ground.

“Sometimes it’s not about the cake, but the frosting. We’ll take one stroke at a time.” I said as I gently put red lipstick on her soft lips.

The look in her eyes gave off the aura of a raging bull, but she didn’t charge. She allowed me to frost the cake one stroke at a time like a fine artist. As I gracefully placed makeup over the scars on her face, I knew her past will no longer haunt her every time she looks in the mirror. Such symbols of past trauma have been covered by the magic that’ll give her a better tomorrow. The makeup that I used was truly magic because it not only made her look like a work of art, but it changed her aura. Once the hour hand struck one, I placed the cherry on top of the cake by placing the tiara on top of her head.

“Look in the mirror, prom queen,” I said.

“You used the makeup to make me look like the Snow White looking girl in the painting that I have,” said Tootsie.

“You fell for Alice’s trick and bit the apple. You have been sleeping and dreaming for so long, but now you have to wake up to make your dreams reality.” I said.

“I’ll go to the prom tomorrow.” said Tootsie.

“Yes! I hope you run Alice out of town.” I said as I clapped.

I turned around and fluttered up the stairs. I placed my hand on the cold doorknob.

“Dysnomia,” said Tootsie.

“Yes,” I said as I looked back at her.

“Thank you,” said Tootsie.

“It was nothing. Just doing what I do.” I said.

I was able to sleep with a clear conscience that night. I knew I baked a much better cake critics will adore. I could already picture Tootsie being crowned prom queen.

The following morning, I continued trying to get more friends for Tootsie. I let them know her story and why they should vote for her to become prom queen. When I was at the makeup store, a woman with red hair staring caught my eye.

“Hey,” said the woman.

“Hey,” I said.

“I heard that story you told everyone about Tootsie. You know I was in her graduating class. My story was similar to hers. Alice used her glamor to bully me, too. I hated she won prom queen. It isn’t far that no matter what jerk moves she makes, she gains the world just because she has looks and money.” she said.

“I agree,” I said.

“I know that was a strong introduction, but I tell it like it is. My name is June, by the way. Like the month of the summer.” She said.

“I love warm weather,” I said.

“So do I. It would be nice if it was warm today. Something big is happening today.” said June.

“Like what?” I said.

“I hate how Alice bullied me, too. At the prom she made fun of me because I didn’t have a date.” said June.

“Ha! You couldn’t get a boyfriend! Just playing around. In all seriousness, who cares if you had a boyfriend or not? Maybe you just broke up with someone. Maybe you don’t want to date and you just want to focus on yourself. Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t get a date.” I said.

“Yeah, but no one wants to be the single person at the prom. Alice rubbed it in my face. I have never been to any high school reunion. I hate proms. Proms are just platforms for privileged people to bully less privileged people. I think proms shouldn’t be practiced. Proms are evil!” said June.

“Wow! You’re passionate! I understand. I am passionate when it comes to my clothes.” I said.

“Today I’m going to prove how useless proms are! I’m going to show the world that proms are nothing to be practiced!” said June.

“I support your cause because you’re helping Tootsie, but how are you going to do that?” I asked.

“By baking a cake,” said June.

“What?” I said.

“I’ll bake a cake and inject one slice with poison. I’ll serve the prom queen and king, which we know will be Alice and her husband again. They’ll die. I will prove that the prom king and queen are flesh and blood, like everyone else. They live, breathe, and die like us.” said June.

“Really?” I said.

I slowly stepped back from her, trying to mask the shock that surely showed up on my face.

“Yeah, I already got a job to work as a servant at the prom tonight. I’m serving everyone cake.” said June.

“Wow, that seems like a good plan,” I said. “I hope it works out. Alice is a jerk that has to go.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Tootsie, me, and others around the world will be avenged. Alice’s regime will be over!” said June.

At that moment, I realized I was dealing with a certified nutcase. I desired to help Tootsie too, but not with a poisonous cake. The only cake that I need is a slice that was made with passion and designs that come from the soul. I fluttered to the knight station like my life was in danger.

“What do you want?” asked the knight at the front.

“There is a woman named Alice that is planning to poison people at the high school reunion tonight! You have to arrest her!” I said.

“What is your evidence or proof?” asked the knight.

“She said it herself,” I said.

“Any recorded evidence?” he said.

“No, but I heard her say it!” I said.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about that. Without evidence it is a matter of he says, she says. It is pure speculation, and we won’t even look into the case unless we find some form of evidence.” Said the knight.

“Okay,” I said as I began to sweat like it was a hundred degrees in the room.

What is the point of helping Tootsie get the tiara placed on her head tonight if she is going to die of poison? I won’t allow her to become a victim of her own success. What is the point of baking the cake of a critic’s dreams if there is poison in it?

I caught a bus and rode it to the house of the soon to be prom queen. I repeatedly slammed my fist against the door like a serial killer was chasing me. Tootsie swiftly opened the door.

“I know the prom is tonight, but I just realized something.” I said. “Instead of doing the prom, how about you do something else?”

“Like what? I’m gonna go to the prom and make a fool of Alice.” said Tootsie.

“Yeah, but how are you going to win? You don’t even have a date.” I said.

“I have a date for the prom. My prom date isn’t my boyfriend, though. My boyfriend is too high profile to go there. My friend is escorting me to the prom where I’ll take Alice’s tiara and embarrass her.” said Tootsie.

“High school reunions are overrated. Let’s have another girl’s night out.” I said.

“We can do that another day, Dysnomia. You were absolutely right. I was acting pitiful. Living a life of sorrow because of some jerk. I was mad at you for a long time, but after spending time alone, I realized you were right. I’m going to beat Alice at her own game.” said Tootsie before she closed the door.

“I don’t know what to do,” I said to myself. “I guess I’ll just have to crash the party.”

About a quarter to seven, I skated in the parking lot of the large building. As I skated, I heard music booming that made me want to find a prom date to skate with. When I entered the building, I was in for quite a surprise. Despite the negative comments that Tootsie and June made about the prom, it actually seemed pretty fun. You can listen to music, hang out with friends, and catch up with people that you didn’t see in years.

It made me wish I could have a reunion with the cloudy fées. I would be able to catch up with Midnight and Sad Fée. Let me get out of my feelings and focus on my reality. This isn’t the time for daydreaming. Someone is about to get poisoned for crying out loud, I thought.

As I skated through the party, I recognized very few people. Even though I sent a text about the reunion to all the numbers on the receipt, only a couple of people from the list showed up. A woman with a diamond studded dress strutted into the building. As a group of people crowded around her, I thought a celebrity stepped in. Who could that be?

“Alice!” I said.

As much as I would love for Alice to get a taste of her own medicine, I wouldn’t want her to be poisoned. When people get a taste of their own medicine, it is supposed to heal them and make them a better person, not kill them. They suffer from the horrible taste, but it makes them improve as a person. Hopefully, one day she treats others the way she wants to be treated.

The glimpse of June walking in with a black and white maid skirt caught my eye. Her eyes had the smile of a cunning fox that was about to fool a sheep. Little does the sly fox know a hunter is coming. Like a hunter ready to fire her rifle, I kept my eyes on June until the right time to strike. I was a little distracted by Tootsie once she entered. My attention quickly went back to June because watching Tootsie was like watching paint dry. All she did was stand in a corner and stare at her phone.

As June walked towards the snack table, she held a chocolate cake that had the words “High School Reunion” on it in pink frosting. I swiftly skated towards her. I bumped into her causing her hit to the ground with a thud and the cake with a splat.

“Look what you did, you idiot! You ruined my beautiful cake!” said June.

“Sorry, I’m still learning how to skate.” I said as I skated away from her while chuckling.

“Hey Toots. Aren’t you gonna get out there and socialize?” I said.

“Dysnomia! What are you doing here? You weren’t in my graduating class.” said Tootsie.

“I know, but who’s gonna stop me? The friends I found for you weren’t in your graduating class, either.” I said. “Aren’t you gonna socialize? How do you expect to win prom queen if you don’t socialize? Where is your date, anyway?”

“He couldn’t come. I asked him too late. He didn’t have enough time to schedule around it.” said Tootsie.

“I’m pretty sure there are other single people here.” I said. “If you don’t mingle, you’ll stay single. Remember that quote.”

I noticed that her unique style of make up caught a lot of people’s attention. I couldn’t count the amount of glances she got. It was too much to keep up with. Eventually, Tootsie went out of her shell and developed conversations with others. At first, she gave off an aura of discomfort, but eventually, she became more relaxed.

“Gather around everyone!” said the host.

The sounds slowly died until there was dead silence. Everyone stood still as the dead, yet they were as aware as life itself. The host looked at a slip of paper that someone gave him.

“The winner is Alice and Matt once again!” said the host before everyone clapped and cheered.

My heart was crushed. After working for days in the kitchen baking a cake, I ended up with the same results. Failure. The critics disliked my cake again. I was depressed, but I couldn’t even imagine how Tootsie felt. I filled her head with dreams that never escaped the prison of her mind. Dreams that’ll never come to fruition. Dreams that failed to materialize.

“Alice!” I whispered to myself as I saw her swiftly walk towards the winning couple.

She had three slices of cake on a silver platter. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t realize that she had a spare cake. I guess the fox outsmarted the hunter. I honestly didn’t know what to do. A plan failed to develop in my head. As a superhero, I knew I had to do something.

“Stop! Don’t eat that cake!” I shouted as all the eyes turned towards me.

“Why?” said Alice as the couple looked at me in confusion.

“Because there is poison in that cake!” I said before the crowd gasped.

“What? That is ridiculous. The pink girl is lying. Just eat the cake.” said June before she awkwardly chuckled.

“If you want to prove that there isn’t poison in it, eat a slice yourself.” I said as I skated towards her.

I snatched the platter from her and spun the platter around. Her eyes spun around in every direction, failing to keep up. She looked at me as sweat began to pour down her face.

“Take a slice so we won’t fall for your trap like mice,” I said.

“I’ll do it if you do it,” said June.

I assumed one slice out of the three didn’t have poison in it because one slice was for herself. She slowly reached for a slice as her hands became moist with sweat. She picked up a slice and took a bite.

“Told you I didn’t poison the cake,” said June, before she passed out.

“Someone call the ambulance!” I said.

As the winning couple walked towards the door a large crowd of people were showering them with words of appreciation. Tootsie was in the midst of the crowd and actually gave the couple a smile. I couldn’t believe it.

“Congratulations Alice.” said Tootsie.

“Oh you. I’m surprised you came. How about you go be a loser somewhere else.” said Alice.

“I might have lost, but I didn’t come here to win. I came here to get over my fear. I’m no longer embarrassed about my past. Yes, I came to the prom single, so what? Yes, I lost the winning spot to the same couple again. I might not have the diamond studded dress. I might not have the finest makeup. I might not have a model escorting me to the prom, but I accomplished what I wanted.” said Tootsie. “I overcame my fear and had a good time with my pink friend.”

Tootsie gave me a smile and I smiled back. Alice stood there with a look that spelled out dumbfounded. After such an incredible speech she was speechless.

“Well at least I have a diamond studded dress with a tiara on my head and you don’t,” said Alice.

I grabbed a can of soda and shook it up like the force of an earthquake was ripping through the ground. I skated to Alice and she smiled at the flashing cameras.

“Hey Alice! Congratulations on your dress!” I said as I handed her a soda.

“Yeah, I’m glad I picked it out. This is my favorite dress. So expensive and pure.” said Alice.

“Yeah, enjoy the soda!” I said before skating away.

She screamed as the soda splashed all over her face and dress. Some people in the crowd gasped while others laughed. Her face became red like a cherry.

“Just my luck! My reunion is ruined!” said Alice.

“So much for her dress being pure. She’ll have an expensive bill at the dry cleaners, alright.” I said as I headed outside with Tootsie.

We both laughed. I didn’t bake the perfect cake that the critics were looking for. There were cakes with a far better aesthetic. That didn’t stop us from having fun baking the cake and enjoying the sugary taste of every bite. That is enough to win the competition for me.

The next morning, I heard a knock on the door that caused me to awake from a good night’s sleep. I opened the door to see Tootsie. She smirked as she blew cigarette smoke from her mouth.

“I appreciate what you did for me, Dysnomia. I really needed that. Maybe we should hang out again someday.” said Tootsie.

“Yeah, that’d be cool. This time we’ll all match.” I said.

“What do you mean?” asked Tootsie.

I rolled up my sleeve, exposing the blue tattoo that spelled Ice Killer on my right arm. I smirked at her.

“This is just the icing on the cake.”

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