I finished the rest of my classes, however, I was too excited to really concentrate. Sahara Mint. The loveliest girl in the school is coming to mother's bakery. I think mom will like her. I just have a feeling. I ignored my classmates words as I left. They've always picked on me. I've only ever had one friend, and his small group. All the others kids would pick on me, find all sorts of ways to make fun of me. After a while, I just learned to ignore it. I've never taken too lightly to bullying afterwards though. That's kind of why I blew up at Sahara's classmates.

I quickly picked up my stuff and left. I usually walk home, its not that far anyway, but this time, I took a different turn. I have to meet Sahara inside mom's bakery...plus, it's my turn to sweep the floor today. My siblings and I take turns cleaning the floor, and sometimes, I even help inside the kitchen with the baking.

"Hey, mom!" I called as I entered the door, the bell ringing above me.

"Oh, Roland! How did school go?" I put my bag down on a table. "It was great! I met the most wonderful person and..." I lost my train of thought. "Oh, did you now?" Mom asked. "Who is it?"

"Her name is Sahara Mint and she's lovely!" I sighed. I pulled some workbooks out and pulled out a pencil. Then, I put my bag in the back room, next to the kitchen. "Sahara, huh?" Mom asked, handing me an apron. I tied the apron around my waist, with the top half tucked under. "Yeah, she is in the class next to mine."

"Ah, I see." Mom stopped as she restocked the cupcakes that were sold. "Is she cute?"

"MOM!" I cried. Mom laughed and handed me a broom. "I'm sorry, go on."

"She's coming over later too," I finished.

"Oh, is she now? What does she look like?" I started sweeping the floor near the entrance. "I feel like this is a two way question."

"Don't worry, I'm not asking that."

"She has blonde hair and blue eyes and she is wearing a pink shirt."

"Ah, you said Mint!" Mom exclaimed.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Her mother comes here every two weeks, usually for the same thing, a batch of cupcakes."

"Oh, that's Sahara's mom?" I checked.

"It seems so!"

I swept the floor for a little while before I walked over to the table to do some of my homework. I decided to get math out of the way and I barely started before the bell above the door rang. "Hello and welcome to Mother Crane's Bakery! How may I help you?" Mom said.

I looked up from my table to see Sahara. "Ah, Sahara!" I exclaimed as I stood up from the table.

"Oh, so this is Sahara," Mom said. "Pleased to meet you! My son told me that you were coming!"

"Well, I'm glad I could come!" Sahara said.

"Well, Sahara, I'm glad I could finally meet you in person!" Mom exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Your mom has told me so much about you!"

"Oh, mom comes here?" Sahara asked.

"Yep, for the same batch of cupcakes!"

"Oh, well, that's great to hear!" Sahara walked over to the display case. "Hmm..." She examined all the treats inside. While she was, Mom glanced at her phone. "Ah, I'm sorry dear, but I have to go," she said, looking at me. "Do you mind taking over for a little while?"

"Uh, sure! No problem!" I replied. My first time behind the counter! I've been waiting for this day! And it's finally here! I walked behind the display case. Sahara had finished looking by then. "I think I'll take this one!" She pointed at a cupcake covered in sprinkles.

"Ah, good choice!" I said, following the script. I put some gloves on and reached into the case and pulled out the cupcake. "Which one is that one?" Sahara asked.

"Oh, uh,..." I looked inside the case at the label. "That's Crane's Special."

I handed her the cupcake. "Would that be all for you?" She raised her hand to her chin. "Hmm...yeah. That'll be it."

"Okay, that would be," I typed in her order on the register," for just one, two fifty." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a three dollar bill. "You can keep the change." She slid it onto the counter. I accepted the money and put it in the register. "Am I allowed to eat it here?" she asked.

"Of course!" I replied. She smiled and unwrapped the cupcake. "Wow! It smells lovely!" The bell rang again. "Excuse me," I said to Sahara. "Welcome to Mother Crane's Bakery! How may I help you?" "Hey, is your mother in today?" the man asked.

"She was but she had to take care of something. Do you need a message?"

"No, but just a signature. I have the order for flower."

"Oh, great!" I replied. "I can sign it for you." The man walked up to the counter and put the check and the package on the counter. He handed me a pen. I signed the bottom of the paper. "Thank you! Have a good day!" I said, grabbing the package and waving farewell to the delivery man.

"Thank you, you too, Roland!"

I took the package out back and opened the box. I took some flower out and stocked it. Then I returned to the register. "This cupcake is delicious!" Sahara said.

"That's good!" I said, leaning on the counter.

"What's in it?"

"Well, uh...it's kind of a family recipe," I replied. "I would love to tell you but...I'm not supposed to, you know?"

"Oh, I get it," Sahara said. "I have a few of those."

I glanced around to see if my mother came back, When I didn't see her, I leaned closer to Sahara, still standing by the counter. "I can tell you one thing though," I whispered. "I helped make it."

"Oh, really?" she asked, sounding pleased.

"Yep. It's been in the family for a while since then!"

"Oh, that's neat!"

"Yep. I haven't learned how to make it yet but I will soon. Once I graduate, Mom is going to teach me how to make it."

"But you helped with it!"

"That's what my dad's always told me anyway. But I believe him. He isn't known to tell lies."

"Roland? I want to thank you," Sahara said.

"Hm? For what?" I asked, confused at the change of pace.

"Thank you for earlier. You made me feel better. I don't have any friends here and...you were the first person to stand up to my classmates. So...thank you."

"Oh, well, you're welcome."

"Do you have any friends here? I mean, besides me?"

"I have one, Eugene. He's been my friend since I was two."

"I didn't see him with you today," Sahara noted.

"Yeah, he's out of town right now. Him and his family are visiting Mexico."

"Oh, well, I'm excited to meet him when he comes back!"

"I bet you'll make quick friends with him!" I said.

"You think?"

"Of course!" I smiled. "He can make friends with anyone!"