DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability to do the same.

Chapter eleven: A great plan

Apple Dumplin' loved to go to school. She loved to meet Mulberry Murmur, her best friend, in the bus or during the break. She was just annoyed to have to stay in a classroom between these two moments, but Mulberry was good in making it funny. She has taught her how to check her mobile phone without getting busted by Mrs. Milk Roll, their teacher, and how to chat secretly by sending coded messages. She showed her how to throw paper pellets and paper planes. She even shared with Apple her best excuses when she hadn't done her homework. Really, Mulberry was a good friend. Sometimes Apple Dumplin' wondered why a girl like Mulberry had paid attention to a girl like her.

-Finally, can you go in vacation with me? Mulberry asked.

Winter was coming, and the holydays, too. Mulberry Murmur had asked Apple if she could spend her holydays with her, in Berry Big City, instead of staying in Strawberryland with hung-up adults and Berrykins. Apple really wanted to say yes, but she knew she had to ask Strawberry Shortcake for the permission first.

-I don't know yet, she moaned. "My sister wants to see my report card first. She says I have to deserve these holydays. "

-Oh, you're unlucky. And do you think…?

-Seriously? No. This stupid Milk Roll hadn't stop giving me bad grades this term. I'm going to spend the worse holydays even! Unless… Do you have a trick for doctoring a report?

-Hey Apple, I'm not a counterfeiter yet. But I have a trick for getting rid of annoying sisters… once and for all.

-A murder?

-No. A run away. How old are you now? You're big enough to live by your own.

The idea of running away was attractive for Apple Dumplin'. She wasn't afraid of sleeping outside, she had already did that hundreds of times. According to her marks, Strawberry Shortcake would certainly force her to stay in Strawberryland to study hard in order to catch up… It would teach her a lesson. Strawberry thought he could give her orders because she was elder, but she was wrong! No one could prevent Apple Dumplin' from doing what she wanted when she wanted it; and if she wanted to spend her winter holyday with her best friend, she would!

-A run away? Wow, that's interesting. If I flee, would you wait for me?

-Of course I'll do. You're my best friend…

-And you're my best friend too! Mulberry, I'm so glad I met you. I know I can always rely on you. You're so cool…

-You can be cool, too, Mulberry said kindly. "But it's not so easy for you, considering the education you've received from your sister."

-I bet you I can be as cool as you! Can I tell you a secret? When I was young, I was friends with a girl named Sour Grape. She was elder than me, and she had your personality: the self-confidence, the outspokenness, the perseverance… I admired her a lot. But she left Strawberryland… Just like the others…

Apple Dumplin' stayed quiet after this confidence. Mulberry Murmur understood how saddened she was and tried to take her mind off things.

-Tell me what's new in your village. Berrykin Crumbly isn't dead yet? Is your sister still working in her Café? By the way, I wanted to show you something…

When Apple Dumplin' came back from school, she ran at the Store. She wanted to talk with Orange Blossom.

-What do you need, Miss Dumplin'? A Berrykin asked her as soon as she entered the Market.

-Nobody is talking to you, Apple answered curtly, just like Mulberry used to do when a younger student tried to speak to her. "I want to see Orange Blossom. Right now. Understood?"

-I'm here Apple, Orange cried from the bottom of her store. "I'm coming!"

Unfortunately (for the Berrykin who stayed astounded by so many rudeness) or fortunately (for Apple), Orange hadn't heard the exchange she had with her staff member.

-Well Apple, what's wrong?

-I have a presentation to do about the Berrykins, Apple lied, remembering the advices Mulberry gave her, "And I have some questions for you. Are you satisfied by the way they work?"

-Of course! You can say the Berrykins are the most faithful employees if you treat them well. Moreover… I would add they are more trustworthy than humans, but it's my personal opinion. They don't even think they could have their hand in the till.

-Are they often absent?

-It can happen, sometimes. But it's rather rare.

-When it happens, which kind of excuses gave them to you?

-They aren't berry original: They overslept, they were sick… or… they were saving a life… Berrykins are unable to lie.

-Alright. Thank you Orange Blossom, Apple said.

She was a bit disappointed. Of course, the presentation was just a pretext for gleaning excuses for skip class… wit Mulberry Murmur, of course.

-Apple, Orange, you are here! A familiar voice cried.

Strawberry Shortcake was going to the Café, but she didn't seem really happy to see Apple Dumplin' here.

-Hello Orange, Strawberry said. "I was wondering if you would need my help tonight, with the night school."

-You're welcome Strawberry, but Blueberry Muffin and me, we've found another way: we decided to learn how to read and write to the adult Berrykins first! Then, they'll teach it to the babies, and everyone will be literate. I think it would be easier for a Berrykin to give lessons to another Berrykin, than for a human to give lesson to a Berrykin.

-Well, it seems to be… a good idea. Excuse-me Orange Blossom, but I need to talk with Apple Dumplin'.

Strawberry Shortcake was handling a sheet of paper, which Apple immediately recognized. It was her report.

-Okay. Goodbye Strawberry and Apple!

-Goodbye Orange!

Apple knew she was going to spend a horrible afternoon.

-Can you explain your terrible mark? Strawberry cried.

Apple sighed. They were in the Café, and Angel Cake was listening to them, just like the customers. Strawberry was talking so loudly...

-I can explain them, Strawberry continued. "You don't pay any interest to your studies. You don't do your homework, you don't listen what your teacher says, and you botch your exams! Sorry Apple, but I know what's good for you."

Apple stiffened up. This sentence… Mulberry warned her against it…

-You'll spend your holidays here, seriously studying.

-That's unfair! Apple cried.

-What is really unfair? Strawberry protested. "To sacrifice two little weeks of your long life or to see that a young girl like you, who can go to school, is missing her chance while other children would like to go to school too, but can't?"

Apple didn't answer, but she was brewing over a plan. Her plan could be summarized in two words.

Run away…

To be continued…