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 in doing the same.
Chapter sixteen : Out of control
-I hate Strawberryland, Apple Dumplin' moaned.
-I see… Strawberry Shortcake distractedly answered.
Shocked, Apple raised her head from her cup and stared at her big sister. She didn't react ! Apple tried something else.
-There's absolutely nothing to do around here, she said loudler. « I understand why everybody left. »
-Alright… Strawberry sighed, still absent-minded.
The reason for which she paid so little attention to her little sister was she was expecting a letter from Peanut Butter. She had had to leave him two weeks ago and he promised her to give news. Straberry had already sent him a postcard, and couldn't wait for his answer !
-Well Apple, Strawberry suddenly cried. « It's late ! You should go or you'll miss your bus. »
-Can I invite Mulberry Murmur after school ? Apple asked with hope. « You know… The girl with whom I spend all my free time. »
-Do what you want Apple, Strawberry said without listening her question.
Apple left the Café, almost stamping on a group of Berrykins who were coming for breakfast. But Strawberry barely noticed them, too. She wondered why he took so many time to write a single letter. Maybe he already forget her ? No, she couldn't believe it ! Peanut Butter wasn't this kind of guy. However… There were a lot of girls in Big Apple City, and they were certainly prettier, smarter, richer, more cultivated and more entertaining than a poor country dweller like her. Did she really deserve a frend like Peanut ? They were defitively not from the same universe. What if Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte were right ? What if there was no future in Strawberryland ?
-What about us ? A little voice cried.
Strawberry woke up. Next to her, Berrykins were waiting for the pancakes they ordered, and Strawberry had apparenty forgotten them. She smiled. This question was truly suitable for that moment. Of course, the Berrykins would never leave Strawberryland, and, as long they would be here, she would have customers for her Café. They were supposed to eat a part of the fruits they grew, but they enjoyed much more her cakes !
However, it didn't explain why Peanut Butter was so late. Strawberry refused to think he had abandoned her. Suddenly, another solution came into her mind : the bees had lost his missive ! She was about to run to the post office when she remembered she had customers to serve.
-Angel Cake, she shouted, « Can you rule the Café for five minutes ? I really have to go to the post office. »
And she ran away without waiting for Angel's answer.
-Hello Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Blossom said when she burst into her Mart. « You seem to be in a hurry. »
-I am. I'm expecting a berry important letter. Do you have something for me ?
Unfortunately, Orange gave her a negative answer, and Postmaster Bumblebee wasn't in his office. Strawberry was fulminating (that was rather rare with her), but it didn't make her get her letter. The only thing she had to do was to come back to the Café.
-Here you are, Angel Cake said. « Can you help me now ? I'm overwhelmed. »
It was true : Angel had to do the cooking and the service, and the impatient (and hungry) Berrykins were claiming for their orders.
-On top of that, a bee passed and let a letter for you, while you were away.
-She delivered a letter for me ?! Strawberry cried. « Where is it ? »
-I put it on the counter, but maybe you could…
But Strawberry caught her letter and rushed to her room to read it.
Peanut Butter was alright. He told her anecdotes about his customers, gave her news of Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte, and finished his letter saying how much he missed her and wanted to visit Strawberryland. It was Strawberry's wish, too. She wondered what could be the best moment to invite him-when Apple Dumplin' wasn't in holidays, like that she wouldn't be under their feet. It could seem cruel, but Strawberry guessed Apple wouldn't be happy to meet Peanut Butter. On the contrary, she would be terribly jealous and ruin their days, as a revenge. She couldn't understand why Apple was like that. Blueberry Muffin told her once she was goind through her adolescent crisis and she shouldn't worry about it, but she musted agree that Apple's behavior was really worrying.
Strawberry Shortcake meditated in her room all day long.
As planned, Apple Dumplin' invited Mulberry Murmur in Strawberryland. As soon as they arrived, they left their schoolbags in the Café (without making their homeworks or simply greeting Strawberry and Angel), and Mulberry asked Apple what they could do. Apple purposed her to visit the Orange Mart, as it was closed the last time Mulberry came to Strawberryland. On their way, they met a group of Berrykins crossing the road.
-Out of our way ! Mulberry cried, and she kicked one of them. He felt on the floor with a little cry. The others looked at her with surprise, fear and anger while picking up their unlucky friend.
-We don't use to push the Berrykins like that in Strawberryland, Apple protested, perplexed. « You may have hurt him. »
-Please, you see he's not. And the Berrykins aren't intelligent enough to have self-esteem.
-Are you sure?
-Sure! Just look at their stupid eyes! Mulberry cried, chuckling.
(For the moment, the Berrykins' « stupid eyes » were rather reflecting sadness, shame and hatred.)
-You're right, Apple chuckled, too, « They really seem stupid. And I keep the best till late… They are working at the Orange Mart! »
-No kidding? I want to see it to believe it!
-Let's go. Look… Berrykin Crumbly is here. Isn't he dead yet?
Actually, Berrykin Bloom was pulling the princely twins along, in the opposite direction. He was the first one who avoided them.
All the Berrykins were working in the Mart.
-I wonder if they are really efficient, Mulberry muttered. « Hey, listen to me Apple. I've got a plan. We'll steal something here. »
-Stealing?
-I'm sure the Berrykins won't notice anything.
-It's illegal, is it?
-Don't worry. If you have misgivings, you will give the objects back to Orange Blossom tomorrow, explaining her that her little protégés aren't even able to stop shoplifters. It would be terribly funny!
It was really berry funny and exciting, thought Apple Dumplin'. She had never stolen before, and she wondered if they were out of suspicion with their uniforms. They looked like two cute schoolgirls. She was so strained she couldn't choose the object she would steal, and went round and round in circles in the store, nervously giggling and fingering her tie. Finally, checking no one was looking at her, she grabbed a fountain pen and shoved it on her blazer's pocket. Mulberry Murmur was more relaxed. In a graceful movement, she unhooked a USB stick from its display stand and hid it on her own pocket.
-Let's go? Mulberry asked.
They were about to leave the Mart when they felt an iron grip on their shoulders. Orange Blossom was stopping them.
-The Berrykins told me you had a strange behavior, both of you, in the Mart, and I saw they were right. I must ask you to empty your pockets. Right now.
Obediently, Apple Dumplin' took the pen out of her pocket and gave it back to Orange Blossom. After all, Mulberry told her they were not going to steal it, it was just a harmless experience!
-Well, Orange sniggered, "You didn't pay it, did you? What about you, Mulberry? Nothing to declare?"
But, instead of answering "I took this USB stick but I didn't want to steal it, it was just and experience and we underestimated your Berrykins' efficiently, here it is", Mulberry repulsed Orange Blossom, crying: "Don't touch me, you…" and ran away. Taking benefit of Orange's astonishment, Apple pulled herself out and followed her.
Orange Blossom wasn't humiliated for having been insulted in front of all the Berrykins. The thing that really made her sick was Apple's and Mulberry's disrespect and their lack of education. They used to steal as easily as she organized a picnic when she was young, and they revolted when someone tried to stop them! She, Orange Blossom, has been insulted for defending her Mart!
-We all love you, Miss Blossom, a little Berrykin said to comfort her.
-Don't listen to them, do you Miss Blossom?
Actually, Orange Blossom knew why Mulberry has been so scornful with her. It wasn't due to her authority, or her status of proprietor.
T.N Honey. I remember her now. She came from London. She was always so lively, so enthusiastic. But sometimes, at night, I could hear her crying.
To be continued…
Once More: Mulberry Murmur's opinions ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT mine. This character is a counter-model, and I categorically condemn and disapprove her words.