Author's Notes: Reviews are much appreciated.

(Charlie's POV):

I stand outside the Wonka factory the next morning. The smell of chocolate is overwhelming. It makes me think of what happened the night before. That's when I remember.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the dollar bill that Matilda gave me.

You're not out of the game yet, golden boy.

Her words echo in my mind.

Suddenly I hear a voice.

"Did you hear? Some guy in Paraguay says he found the last golden ticket," a kid exclaims.

I turn to find two kids from our school; Katherine Albright and Sophie Ballard.

"That's not fair," says Sophie.

"But it's true. It was on the news last night," Katherine defends.

"That can't be. Anyone can claim they found something."

"Well, you never know. Some people just get really lucky, even when they aren't usually the luckiest."

As they walk away, I can't believe my ears. That means the contest is over, doesn't it?

"But it's like Sophie said," I tell myself.
"Anyone can claim they found something. But still."

With a sigh, I decide to walk around for a while and see where my feet take me.

After a few minutes, I find myself in front of Bill's Candy Shoppe. I've never been inside without a friend or two, but I've seen the candyman with his cart out on the street. Today, unfortunately, isn't a cart day, so I head inside.

The shoppe is overwhelming to my senses at first. Colorful wrappers don shelves hanging on the walls. The smell of fudge, nougat, caramel, and so many other delights cooking and simmering in the back room makes me feel excited. The smells intensify as I move closer to the counter.

Bill's not at the counter. The smells of various candies tell me he's in the back room. I know he's always dreamed of making his own candy, even if he's not the best at it.

"Oh my!"

A bang and a pop followed by a few dozen coughs lead me to run into the back. I find the ginger-haired candyman in his pink and white striped shirt, his khaki pants and white apron. The floor and Bill are covered in various syrups, saps, and substances.

"Are you okay, Bill?" I ask concerned.

He looks up and me and smiles.

"Charlie, hello. Yes, I'm fine," he says in a kind, gentle voice.

I hold out a hand and help him on his feet.

"Thanks. I was trying to make some caramel nougat," he says as he brushes himself off.
"Anyway, what a surprise to see you here alone. Normally you're with Matilda and James."

"Long story," I tell him as we walk back out into the main store.
"Anyway, I'd like to buy some candy; a chocolate bar, if that's okay."

Bill's face looks at me in pleasant surprise as I walk out in front of the counter.

"Well, alright then. What'll it be, Charlie? A Ficklegroober Peppermint Bar? A Slugworth Sizzler?"

"Whichever's the biggest," I say.

"A Wonka bar it is."

I place the money on the counter.

"Now that all the tickets are found," he says picking a Wonka bar from the front.
"I don't have to hide the bars anymore."

As he hands me the bar and takes the money, I rip open the wrapper and devour the bar.

"Whoa. Take it easy, Charlie. Don't wanna get a stomach ache, do you?"

"Sorry," I say sheepishly as he hands me the change.
"It's just so delicious. Is this a new one?"

Bill nods.

"The Wonka Around-the-World Bar. A mix of-"

"-Cocoa beans from South America, some cinnamon from North America, a hint of barbecue from Australia, a hint of salt from Africa, some sweet marshmallow root from Asia, a bit of powdered sugar from Europe, and a pinch of peppermint to represent the frostiness of Antarctica and the North Pole."

I look at Bill; his eyes have widened to the size of dinner plates I've seen when I have a snack at Matilda or James's house.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's fine. I'm just shocked you could taste all of that."

"I guess I have a pretty good sense of detail."

I let the chocolate spin in my tongue before I finish the bar.

"Well, I should probably be going now."

"Have a nice day."

I begin to walk to the exit when I realize; this is an opportunity I may never get to experience again. I have money that I can do with what I chose. And I chose to get another bar for my family.

"Hey, Bill," I say walking back to the counter.
"I think I'll have just one more. To share with my family."

"Alright then," Bill says with a smile.

Suddenly his eyes widen and he gasps.

"Say, I just remembered. Wonka bars are on sale today. Only 25 cents a bar. And you've got a whole dollar."

"Three more bars?" I ask.

The thought is tempting for me

"You really don't have to let me."

"Come on now. You deserve it."

"I've already had one bar."

Then the thought crosses my mind.

"But I think I'll have three more. One for my family, one for James, and maybe one for Matilda if there's anything she can have. For my family, Grandpa Joe likes the Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight bars. On the other hand, Grandma Josephine adores the Nut-a-rific bars."

"Then you should try the Wonka Totally Twisted Combo Bar. Just came out. As for James, I know he loves the Wonka Cocoa Peachy Keen. But what about Matilda? She's never had a Wonka bar."

"She's allergic to Gluten and Dairy."

"Then I have just the thing."

Bill turns around to the counter and pulls out a bar.

"The new Wonka Allergen-Friendly Bar; Gluten Free and Dairy Free. Came out just yesterday."

I hand him the rest of the money and he hands me the bars.

"Thanks," I say with a smile.
"Have a good day."

As soon as I step out of the shop, the commotion hits my ears. It's coming from the newspaper stand.

"Extra! Extra! Golden Ticket Finder Five Found a Fraud," a newspaper boy calls.

Sounds of excitement and disbelief ripple through the crowd.

"I knew it was a fake!" I hear one woman call.

"I can't believe someone would stoop so low," a man exclaims.

"That means there's still a ticket out there somewhere!" another calls.

I can't believe my ears. Perhaps I still have a chance. Perhaps in one of my bars...

I decide to open one now and see if the ticket may be inside. I close my eyes as my hand hovers over the bars. Suddenly I place the hand on one of the bars. Opening my eyes, I find that my hand has chosen Matilda's bar.

"Well, she did give me the dollar," I tell myself.

After a moment, I decide to go ahead and open it. Placing the other two in my coat pocket, I turn the bar over and pull off the label.

"This is for you, Matilda," I whisper.

Slowly I pull away the aluminum wrapper, savoring the anticipation. I peel it ever so slowly from the top down. Halfway through I see a glint. At first I think it's the sun playing tricks on me until I realize that the sun isn't out.

Could it just be my mind playing a trick on me? There's only one way to know for sure. I pull it away the slowest I've ever done.

Suddenly I see the shine again. Is it what I think it is? I pull it away and underneath lies a piece of shiny, golden paper wrapped around the bar.

"You're a wonder, Matilda," I whisper as I stare at the prize.