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 twenty one : A forgotten tradition
-Go away ! Berrykin Bloom shouted in the middle of the night. The fear was paralysing him in his bed. But he had to face reality : Bertram's naughty eyes were facing him, his sharp teeth gleamering in the darkness of the bedroom.
-Why are you so scared, Cousin ? Bertram asked with a sadistic smile, savoring Bloom's terror. « I thought you were mourning me. I came back from the Next World, just for you-aren't you happy to see me ? »
As an answer, Berrykin Bloom pulled his bedcover over his head, fighting for holding his tears.
-To bad, Cous'. Don't worry… I'll visit you again later.
A long silence follew this last sentence. When Berrykin Bloom, gathering his courage, came out of his blanket, Bertram had disappear.
Strawberry Shortcake had to keep a close eyes to Apple Dumplin' everyday. She worked day after day with Angel Cake in order to serve the hungry tens of Berrykins asking for meals at noon. She regularly asked Orange Blossom and Blueberry Muffin about news. In spite of that, she felt lonely.
Strawberry was accostumated to be always surrounded by her group of friends. Now, her group was winded up. She sometimes even wondered if all of her friends who had left Strawberryland still remembered her, or if she was just now, for them, the nice girl passionated with cooking they met when they were young. And she had only one way to make sure of it.
-You want to organize the First Frost Day here ? In the Café ? Angel Cake cried with an incredulous air.
-Don't you think it could be a good idea ?
-Of course no, Angel stinged. « First of all, the Café is much too small to greet everyone. Secundly, we hardly managed to serve all the Berrykins, so I don't see how we could do it with a hord of humans. And finally, I bet my life it will end up with tears. »
-What happens here ? Apple Dumplin' asked, going out of her room for the first time in the day.
-Your sister wants to organize a huge feast in two weeks, Angel Cake sighed.
-A party ? Apple repeated joyfully. She was already thinking of the popularity she would earn at school when she would announce that she was planning a great party at her home.
-It won't be really a party, Strawberry explained quickly. « Let's say it will be a reunion of all the old Strawberryland's inhabitants. »
Apple Dumplin' frowned.
-I see, she moaned. « It will be another boring to death meeting for adults. Don't rely on me for playing the waitress. »
-You won't… Strawberry started, but Apple had already turned around and walked away.
-You see ? Angel Cake said triumphaly. « No one supports you. You'd better forget this foolishness and focuse on real priorities, like ruling this Café. »
But Strawberry Shortcake never admitted defeat.
She had understood why Apple Dumplin' didn't want to be part of this reunion, so she decided to invite Lem and Ada, too -like that, she would meet others teenagers of her age. She also think she could invite Peanut Butter, as she had promised him she would make him discover Strawberryland one day. Talking about boys… She wondered if she needed to invite Huckleberry Pie. They had so many good times togethers, when they were young… But Blueberry Muffin wouldn't like it. Her stomach had started to show her pregnancy, and she had been extremely clear about this point : Huckleberry Pie must not know she was expecting his daughter. Well, she could pretend Blueberry's stoutness was only dued to fat, but maybe Blueberry would quite simply refuse to see Huckleberry. She should ask her for more details. Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte will be in for it, and Plum Pudding too. Then Strawberry remembered that Plum Pudding had a brother, just like Lemon Meringue, and that she could want him to go with her. She wasn't sure anymore if Plum Pudding was closest to her brother than Lemon Meringue was with Lem. After all, Angel Cake was true : They shouldn't multiply the guests. But she really wanted to see Peanut Butter and Lem and Ada would be good friends with Apple Dumplin'. The twins, at least, were polite and well-mannered, unlike Mulberry Murmur. After the Orange Mart's incident, it was sure she wouldn't entered the Café anymore. She couldn't do that to Orange Blossom and her faithful Berrykins. Well, the Berrykins would certainly not be outdone : they were at every event. It was normal, they were keeping the town running. Let's recap : There would be Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Meringue with her brother and her sister, Raspberry Torte, Orange Blossom, Plum Pudding, Apple Dumplin', Cherry Jam and Peanut Butter, plus all the Berrykins. It was enought.
Strawberry Shortcake felt guilty for « forgetting » Huckleberry Pie and Plum Puddin', but she had to accept this : The Café was too small to great everyone. Moreover, Huckleberry Pie would certainy not be able to leave his lodgers for a whole day and Plum Puddin' was surely overwhelmed with work in his engineering school. Finally, it was berry good like that.
All the guests agreed in coming back in Strawberryland for the First Frost Day. When Strawberry Shortcake triumphaly proved Angel Cake her party will certainly be a success, Angel scortly answered that she wouldn't help her for the preparations.
-If Orange Blossom and Blueberry Muffin won't help you neither, you'ld have to do everything by yourselves and it'll teach you a lesson, for planning a party without gathering everyone's agreement.
-Don't rely on me to help you, Apple Dumplin' added, encouraged by Angel Cake. « I don't want to waste my time in getting a party ready, in which I won't even be a part of. »
-Why, please ? Strawberry Shortcake asked maliciously. « How can you guess you'll be bored to death ? »
-What could I do with adults like you ? Talking about revenue ?
-No, Apple. You know that Lemon Meringue has a brother and a sister of your age… I invited them. You'll meet them both at the party !
-Great ! Apple moaned. « Now, you want to choose my friends ! » (But in fact she was really impatient to meet the twins. They were working in a fashion store, it could be… interesting for her to be friends with them !)
The day of the party arrived quickly. As Angel Cake guessed it, Strawberry Shortcake had difficulty in making everything ready for the big day. Orange Blossom was sincere when she told her she wouldn't have the time to help her a lot : She had to rule her own Mart. Angel Cake refused to pitch in, saying it wasn't her idea, and Strawberry really had to force Apple Dumplin to get her involvement. Luckily, Blueberry Muffin was here : she had less responsabilities than Orange Blossom, and more willing than Angel and Apple ! Together, they both managed to bake the tens of biscuits they would serve during the party. They both decided to (politely) refuse the help the Berrykins offered them for the cooking, but, seeing they were disappointed, they ley them embellish the room, and they didn't listen to Apple Dumplin' when she started to sneer, saying that it would be awful. They cheered up the upset Berrykins, telling them that they entirely trust in their talents. They never talked about Blueberry's baby.
The day of the party, Strawberry Shortcake sat down on the Café, looking at the reception room. The Berrykins had done great job. Multicolored streamers were hanging from the ceiling, red balloons were attached to the chairs, the windows were well-decorated with shiny garlands and baubles. In the middle of the room, a beautiful Christmas tree was standing. Really, it was perfect. But Strawberry Shortcake still felt unatease. She couldn't forget Angel Cake's sentence, « I bet my life it will end up with tears ». Could her party go wrong ?
To be continued…