Cookie monster

How everything started... (Summer)

Summer Hansen.

Yeah, that's me.

The baker girl, whose work and talent was actually never appreciated.

The bakery I worked in only had three products on its shelves - white bread, plain white buns, and too buttery cookies that tasted like someone mistook sugar for butter. None of them tasted good, if you asked me. It was that kind of small, dusty place people tend to walk past, not even looking at it. No one who bought something there has ever returned. I felt kinda sorry for my coworkers, that still tried to make this bakery as cozy as they could, bringing small pillows, plants and lights, but no one gave a damn.

And our boss... Yeah, he was the biggest asswipe I've ever met. But I had to keep my mouth shut about it. I couldn't risk getting fired, cause baking was the only thing I was good at.

But was working here worth my time? I couldn't sell any of my cookies anyways. It's "tradition,", my boss said, but people were simply getting tired of our short menu. If not the grandmas coming here to buy fresh (actually two days old) bread, it would be completely empty, no clients.

The bakery slowly went bankrupt. We didn't have money to import new baked goods every day. Baking cookies or cupcakes wasn't actually a problem for me. I've tried so many times to tell my boss about it... But he just brushed it off, like the effort I put in trying to save his business didn't matter at all.

Asswipe.

Anyways, I was standing behind the counter, staring at the blank wall in front of me. We weren't even allowed to listen to music or scroll social media, because we should be "focused on our work". Okay, I understand! But what should I focus on? There's no customers. No one to help, no one to talk to except for Cassie - A very nice blonde girl two years younger than me. She was the only one who really wanted changes in our menu. But when we tried to ask our boss together, it was as successful as my attempt - failed.

- Hey, Summer, are you bored yet? - she asked, her tone casual, but I didn't have to ask to know that she was bored out of her mind too.

- I'm always bored as fuck... Why can't I just... Dunno, put one freaking earphone in? I'd really love to listen to music... It always helps me relax.

- You don't need to relax, you need entertainment.

- True. - I leaned back again the wall and sighed heavily - One customer per four hours. Wow. Real entertainment. - I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone - It's 7.03... three hours and I can finally go home... I don't think I can survive... A bakery opened until 10.00 pm. That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard. Who buys bread at 10.00?

- Werevolves.

I snorted a little, not bothering to hide it behind my hand. I liked her company. She was my best friend.

Cassie pulled out a cigarette and lightened it. My eyes widened in slight panic.

- Girl, put it down... We're not allowed to smoke in here... What if the fire alarm goes off?

- No risk, no fun. - she lifted it up to her lips.

I watched as she blew out the smoke, straight into the smoke detector.

But nothing happened.

- See? I knew it. This detector is older than my great-grandpa.

- Yeah... Why am I not surprised.

The door swung open, and a group of teenagers, two boys and three girls, age around 15-16 burst into the bakery like it was a goddamn club. I raised an eyebrow. Cassie stepped on the cigarette. One of the boys took a cookie without asking for permission tp have a taste, then showed it into his mouth. He immediately gagged, spitting it out on the floor.

- Ugh! What is this?? It tastes like a spoonful of butter with a little flour!

This time I actually had to hide a snort behind my hand. It was so damn satisfying, seing this brat spitting every last piece of the cookie out. Lesson learned - never visit that bakery again.

His friend started laughing histerically. His face burned crimson as he shot me a glare.

- Very funny. I'll give your pathetic bakery one star. Not like it has only bad reviews anyway.

I shrugged, looking at him with a hint of smirk on my lips.

- I couldn't care less. I only work here, and the boss is kind of an idiot, so... Go ahead.

The teenager spat on the floor one last time before storming out of the bakery. His friends followed him, still giggling under their breaths.

- I guess that was the entertainment we needed. - Cassie smirked, lighting another cigarette. - The looks on their faces? Priceless.

I finally could let myself laugh.

- That was just beautiful... I hope he'll be too traumatized to steal anything ever again.

- Girl... Did you bring your salted caramel cookies today? I'm kind of hungry.

- I completely forgot about them... They're in my bag, I'll go bring it...

But before I could take more than two steps towards my bag, I heard a loud "ekhem."

I turned around on lightning speed, my heart was beating like a drum.

My boss.

I dreaded his reaction - Cassie smoking inside, the cookie on the floor... God, kill me. Send some goddamn earthquake that'll completely destroy this building.

I glanced at her, hoping that the damn cigarette was under her shoe at the moment... And fortunately, it was. But the damn butter cookie was still on the floor. I felt like it's staring back at me.

- Clean it up. - he said shortly, handing me a rag. I slowly exhaled, still scared. He wasn't angry, he was calm.

And that was much worse than anger.

That was how he showed disappointment. Or something worse. I didn't want to think about it.

- Of course... - I replied politely, not wanting to actually make him drop the calm facade tp reveal the boiling anger underneath. I quickly cleaned up the floor, until it was flawless again.

- My business is going bankrupt. - He said, still calmly - Only a few clients are supporting it by buying something every day... But that's not enough. We might need something new.

My heart was beating faster now. Was it my chance? Could I finally start selling my own baked goods?

- I can...

- Not yours. - He cut me off sharply. - I'll order a few cakes. Just for test.

Ouch.

That hurt.

I nodded, feeling kinda down now. After he left, Cassie immediately started calling him all sorts of worst names she could think of.

- That goddamn motherfu-...

- Hey, calm down... If these cakes wouldn't help... And I'm sure they wouldn't, he has terrible taste... Maybe he'll finally give me a chance?

- Or maybe not. But then... His loss. Now can I finally get my salted caramel goodies?

***

Of course we ate the whole box, talking about everything we could think off until it was finally time to go home.

***