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 thirteen: Enjoy your holiday!
Apple Dumplin' was thinking about the things she would have to bring with her, when the sound of knocks at her door disturbed her. It was Strawberry Shortcake.
-Apple Dumplin'? Are you here?
-Yeah. What do you want?
-Did you talk to the little princesses or Berrykin Bloom today?
-I haven't even seen them. If Berrykin Bloom affirms the opposite, it's that he's half blind… or half senile.
Of course, Strawberry was aware of the weird "lesson" the twin princesses were given: two baby Berrykins chanting swear words, and their desperate babysitter, vainly trying to stop them, were obviously noticeable! Using her legendary charisma, Strawberry explained Emerald and Tourmaline that "Shut up" were bad words, unsuitable for princesses, and that they were hurting their babysitter. She taught them another word instead, "soufflé". The little princesses obeyed to Strawberry, first because they thought that "soufflé" was more melodious than "shut up", and secondly because they were extremely nice, like all the Berrykin, and they didn't want to grieve anyone. The last thing Strawberry couldn't understand was the way the babies learnt this "nice" expression. She couldn't believe it came from Berrykin Bloom! But he outright refused to tell her who said this insult just in front of Emerald and Tourmaline.
-I wish you'll never discover who did that! He cried.
Strawberry understood he was trying to cover someone she liked, and she suspected Apple Dumplin'. But her sister said it wasn't her, and Strawberry trusted her. Apple Dumplin' had never lied to her! Finally, Strawberry came to the conclusion that the person responsible was an anonymous Berrykin working with Berrykin Bloom, and it was why he wanted to protect his reputation; and she forgot this story.
Two days later, late in the night, Apple Dumplin' was sitting on her bed, carefully listening to the sounds that came from the Café. On her pocket, she had the ignition key she took from Strawberry's chest of drawer. She wouldn't need this anymore when she will be in Big Apple City!
When Apple has made sure everyone was asleep, she slowly exited her room, her bag on her back, and tiptoed to the staircase. Nothing. She went downstairs. Pupcake woke up and raised his head. Luckily for Apple Dumplin', he was now too old to jump on her, yelping joyfully. Instead of that, he softly whined. Custard didn't move at all.
-Shhh! Apple ordered.
Pupcake obediently kept quiet.
Apple Dumplin' left the Café with small step, making sure that anyone heard her, and then ran toward the garage. One moment after, she was riding Strawberry's scooter, rushing to Berry big City to meet Mulberry Murmur.
The only thing Apple hadn't considered was the noise made by the scooter. When Strawberry Shortcake heard the engine, she immediately woke up, and recognized the sound of her scooter! Through the window, she could see the figure of a young girl with long hair, leaving the Café. She didn't take a long time to understand her sister was running away.
Strawberry Shortcake thought at full speed. She needed to catch Apple again, but she hadn't got her scooter anymore, and she wasn't fast enough to run after her. She had to find a third solution… and this solution was named "Orange Blossom". She was her last chance! Strawberry didn't even wake Angel Cake up. She rushed to the Orange Mart and hammered on the door until a berry sleepy Orange Blossom opened the door. She was a little flustered.
-What's going on, Strawberry? She yawned. "Couldn't you wait until the morning?"
-Orange, Strawberry panted, "I need your scooter. Right now. Don't ask me time, I got no time. Give me the key!"
-If it's really a matter of life or day… Orange muttered, looking for her own ignition key in her counter.
-Quick! Strawberry begged.
When Orange finally found the key, Strawberry almost ripped it from her hand, shouting:
-I'll tell you the whole story later!
Strawberry had the time to see where Apple was going. Unsurprisingly, she was trying to reach Berry Big City. For the moment, Strawberry's aim was to catch Apple and forced her to go back to the Café. It was hard: November's snow had covered the roads and riding the scooter was a dangerous exercise. But Strawberry stepped on the gas.
-I hope Apple won't have an accident! She thought.
For her part, Apple Dumplin' had noticed the lights in the Orange Mart and heard the engine. She cursed her sister's light sleep and speeded up, too. She felt the wheels slipped, but she paid no attention to it. Moreover, she noticed Strawberry's headlight on her outside rear view mirrors. Strawberry was just behind her! Apple moaned and speeded up again. She really wanted to leave her sister behind, but she knew it would be hard: She was a seasoned driver and she seemed to know exactly what Apple was trying to do. Apple herself wasn't reassured: the scooter was losing her balance; she was driving too fast on the ice. She needed to slow down, but then Strawberry would catch her… Suddenly, Apple had an idea: What if she turn her headlights off and cut across the strawberries' orchard?
Apple hadn't foreseen that the orchard was longing the Berrykins' village. When two noisy scooters hurtled near to their houses, they immediately woke up and tried to see what was happening! It's why they all gathered in the middle of the road. They were wondering who was making so much noise in the middle of the night, when Apple's scooter, with its lights switched off, burst just in front of them! The ones who managed to keep a cool head ran away. Others stayed petrified or started to cry. The most courageous ones bravely parked themselves between the scooter and the paralyzed Berrykins, to form a human shield (no, a berrykin shield). Luckily, Apple wasn't cynic enough to deliberately hurt innocent Berrykins, but she was driving too fast, and she saw the Berrykins too late to avoid them properly. She turned the steering wheel, the scooter totally slipped and Apple fell on the floor, but any injury was to record at the Berrykins. Curious, they started to circle her to make sure she was alright.
-How do you feel, Miss Dumplin'? Berrykin Bloom shyly asked.
-Aren't you dead yet? She grumped.
Obviously, Apple was alright. Strawberry quickly caught her, interrupting this "conversation".
-How can you explain that? She whistled.
Apple kept quiet.
-Well. If you refuse to talk to me tonight, you'll talk to me tomorrow. Now, we're coming back to the Café. You can go back to bed now, Strawberry said to the Berrykins. "Apple Dumplin' is alright".
Next morning, Apple received a memorable scolding about trust, respect and maturity.
Next afternoon, Plum Puddin' came and picked Apple up. Her luggage was already done: it was the only positive point to her getaway.
Next night, Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Blossom and Blueberry Muffin were taking a plane to Big Apple City.
To be continued…