I sat in my car seat as my mommy turned down a street. Cars were parked everywhere on both sides of the street, and I could see princess balloons tied to a mailbox on the street. I scowled and crossed my arms. I couldn't believe Mommy was making me go to stupid Natara's birthday party. It wasn't even her birthday today. Her birthday was two weeks ago.
We pulled up in front of her house and I saw that there was a clown and a bounce house castle and pizza and stuff like that, and I got a little excited. I could hear the screams of my friends and classmates, and there were streamers in the colors of Natara's kingdom, purple and silver. There were even cardboard swords and cut-out horses and everything. Mommy made me promise to be nice and then drove away after promising to pick me up at four.
"Hiya Mal!" Maria said as she walked up to me with Shawn. "You should come with me in the bounce castle. It's really fun!"
"Hi Mal," Shawn said quietly. His eyes got really big and round when he saw Natara walking up to us in a frilly purple dress with a big crown on her head.
"Hi Maria, Hi again Shawn," she grinned.
"Greetings, your majesty, Queen Natara," Shawn said as he bowed low and I rolled my eyes. "Tis a pleasure to be in your presence."
"Hi Natara," Maria said. Natara looked at me and then looked at the pink wrapped present in my arms.
"I don't like pink," she said in a know-it-all voice. I scowled at her.
"I don't like you."
As annoying and evil as Natara is, I haft say her party isn't that bad. Ken and Matt and Shawn and I had been wrestling in the bounce house castle while everyone else jousted and danced. Exhausted, I leaned against the bounce house wall and placed my hands behind my head.
"What a lovely feast in honor of our Queen," Shawn said. I poked him in the stomach and stole his glasses.
"She's a princess," I insisted.
"A lovely princess," Matt said and I threw my sock at him.
"My love for her runs as quick as the blood in my veins," Shawn announced. I huffed in annoyance. They'll learn some day.
"Out, you imbecile. Tis my turn to bounce." Natara stood in the doorway and bounced a little. I stuck my tongue out and crawled away. She may be an evil cupcake princess but it was her birthday, plus I promised Mommy that I would be nice. Ken followed me, but Matt and Shawn offered to stay behind in case some servant dared to intrude on her bouncing.
After eating another slice of pizza, I told Kent hat I would be right back and went inside to use the bathroom. On my way a royal white box caught my eye, and I snuck into the kitchen to get a better look. I climbed onto a chair and lifted the top. Inside was the most beautiful and glorious cake I had ever seen in my entire life. It had snowy white icing with "Happy Birthday Natara!" written on in purple icing.
I dragged my finger through the bottom of the cake and licked the icing off my finger, then carefully replaced the top. I started to back away, only I forgot I was on top of the chair and fell, bringing the cake with me. I was lucky enough to avoid any injuries, but the cake wasn't as lucky. three feet away from me, the cake was smashed against the ground, taking its last breath. Natara's dog walked up and began licking at the mess.
"And Neha was about to take her first steps when- Mal! What did you do?"
Natara's mom rushed over to the fallen comrade. it had no chance. I wept. I'd never seen a death.
While Natara's dad left to get a replacement cake and the other adults cleaned up the mess, all of my classmates stood in a circle in the yard.
"Friends, we have all gathered here right now to remember that yummy cake that never made it to our tummies," Matt said. "Losses like this are terrible to go through."
Natara sniffled and placed her head on my shoulder.
"No one can say why these things happen, but we must never doubt the plan our Great Lord has for us. So Birthday Cake, You might have left sooner than we hoped but you will always live in our hearts. Amen."
"Amen," I whispered. "May the adults see that there will never be another one like it."
Natara burst into tears with all the other girls. I didn't shrug her head off my should cause it was her birthday. And because I didn't wanna admit I killed the cake.