Hello. :) I know it's been a long time since my last update, and I'm sorry, but I've been super busy.
I want to say thank you to everyone who reads my story, and a huge thanks to everyone who comments. Your reviews make me excited to continue writing and sharing, and help inspire my story so much. Recently, I got some of the nicest comments ever, all of which I very much appreciate (though even if you just say 'nice chapter' or 'update soon,' I'm still happy that people are reading my story). In addition, I made it to my 100th review (and even more), so thanks again! :)
Chapter 8: My First Fat Shake
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" I was standing up, motioning for Carly to get her butt over to the door so we could go.
"Hold on, I need to brush my hair first."
"Your hair looks fine. May we go please?"
"My hair does not look fine, so no. You need to learn to have some patience."
Frustrated, I walked over to Carly, fluffed her hair clumsily with my hands, and then grinned. "You're hair looks great, now can we go?"
"Sam!" She gave me one of her Carly looks. "Now I really have to go brush my hair."
"Well brush quickly, woman!"
"Fine, fine." She turned around and headed to her bathroom.
"RUN!" I yelled after her.
Soon, she was back by my side.
"I don't understand why you needed to brush your hair."
"We are going into public."
"So what? Your hair looked fine to begin with."
"There's nothing wrong with me wanting to make sure I look presentable."
"Neat freak."
"Hey!"
"You know I love you anyway."
"Yeah." She finally smiled at me after this whole ordeal.
"Now, let's go!" I grabbed Carly's wrist and gently yanked her after me.
"Freddie, we're going!" Carly yelled at his apartment door.
"No time to wait," I commanded, sensing her efforts to slow down and stand in the hallway until Freddie arrived.
"But Sam-"
"Carls, don't discriminate. Nubs can walk too."
Realizing it was a lost cause, Carly held in her comments, but she did manage to shoot me a disapproving look, to which I responded with a shrug.
Freddie's footsteps echoed behind us until he came to a slower pace at our heels.
"Took you long enough." I retorted. It was a statement that didn't need an answer, his responding would do absolutely nothing but hurt him more, and he decided to keep it in for the time being, though I knew he rolled his eyes.
When we entered, I could smell the most heavenly scent all around us.
"I feel as thought this is my true home," I announced. Carly and Freddie shook their heads knowingly.
It was incredibly hard to get around the store, seeing as hundreds of people turned up for the same reason we did. The unveiling of the Fat Shake.
I could smell the freshly baked Fat Cakes. Sure, they leave them on shelves in packages, but if you go to the Fat Cake Headquarters of Seattle, they would serve you fresh Fat Cakes. But today, I wasn't interested in having a Fat Cake, (though if someone gave me one for free, I would by no means turn down his or her offer). I was on the hunt to be one of the very first people in the state of Washington to have a Fat Shake.
Struggling through the crowd, I parted people by pushing them aside. No one could hear much, nor was anyone about to move over for a group of children. Carly and Freddie stuck close to my side. Carly apologized profusely to each person I knocked aside, and Freddie just tagged along behind her, unsure of what to do.
Using my force and my small size, the three of us made it to a temporary stand-like thing. It housed a vat of thick pink liquid that smelled strongly of Fat Cakes. This was it. This was where the Fat Shake was stored. It was obviously made just for this event. There were hundreds of cups on a platform next to it, and there were people in black pants and white shirts with the words "Fat Cake Corporation" printed on them surrounding the tank. Some of them had aprons, while others sported visors. Each of their nametags gleamed, and I guessed that they were all told to shine them so they looked their best in case a picture was taken to celebrate this momentous event.
I had a Fat Shake once before. This may seem impossible, as today is the day of the Fat Shake's unveiling, and I don't have any connections in the heart of the Fat Shake Corporations, but I did have one. Admittedly, I did just blend a Fat Cake with some milk, but it was still yummy. I was positive that this Fat Shake would be millions of times better than my homemade one.
I jumped up, trying to see more.
"You, little girl, what's your name?" Who, me? He did not just call me a- I gasped. He was in a suit, and he had a nametag that clearly stated his authoritative position in the Washington branch of the Fat Shake Corporation.
"I'm Sam."
"Samantha, what a pretty name. And who are you here with on this fine day?"
"My best friend, Carly." I dragged her forward. "Just smile and nod," I whispered in her ear. Carly's look of confusion grew even more before adopting a sickly sweet smile.
"Oh, and Freddie." I dragged him forward as well. I figured the more eager and friendly I seemed, the more likely it was I would get a Fat Shake. "Don't say anything, or I will rip you into two pieces," I threatened Freddie, making sure to keep my words too quiet for the man to hear me.
"Well isn't that wonderful. Three kids, all eager to have Fat Shakes." We all put on our largest smiles.
"Of course sir, why wouldn't anyone want to have a Fat Shake?" I added in more words that I knew would warm this man's heart, while making sure not to overdo it.
"You know what?" Our faces turned to innocent expressions of confusion. "Since you three are so excited about this, and I love seeing our youth out and about following their hearts and being motivated, I'll let you three be the first people in Washington to have Fat Shakes."
My eyes must have popped out of my head; I could literally feel my heart wanting to burst from my chest. The excitement was so overwhelming I took a step foreword and threw myself at the man, trying my best to envelope his rather plump form into a hug. He must have been surprised, I could sense him waver for a moment, but soon enough his large arms reached around me and he returned my hug. Finally, when I pulled away, he looked at the three of us. Enthusiasm practically radiated off of him.
"I'll go alert Steve about you three so he can make sure to give you the first Fat Shakes." With one last grin he turned around and went to find Steve.
I turned around to face Carly and Freddie. "Momma's gonna have a Fat Shake!" I screamed. Due to the constant stream of conversations, my yell sounded more like a loud statement. Carly and Freddie grinned at me, by now, they had obviously realized why I dragged them forward, and even Freddie seemed excited to have a Fat Shake, letting my threats go.
Carly gave me a small hug. "Congratulations, your crazy obsession is finally going to pay off."
The three of us laughed. Before we could continue our discussion, were distracted. "Sam?" A man walked over to the three of us, observing us for a moment before turning his attention toward me. "Are you Sam?"
"Sam I am."
"So these are Carly and Freddie?" He moved his pointer finger in between the two of them.
"Yes they are." I held in any clever comments that came into my mind, I didn't want to jeopardize my chances of being first to have a Fat Shake.
"Well then, you three, please follow me." I know that normally you're not supposed to follow strangers, but I didn't care.
We were ushered around the tank to its other side, walking through the defensive line of employees and right up to its front.
"Why hello there." A smiling man in an apron came over, sticking out his hand for us to shake. "I'm Steve." One by one, we shook his hand, introducing ourselves. "You are some lucky little kiddos. People would pay tons of money to be the first in Washington to have a Fat Shake."
There was an awkward silence for several seconds before Steve continued. "Luckily, you don't have to! Now, which one of you is going to be first?"
Carly and Freddie stepped back a tiny bit, knowing that there was no way I was going to let either of them go first.
"Sam?" The three of us nodded. "Okay then. Just form a little line and I'll grab some cups for you guys." The mood was back to its excited state, and Steve hurriedly turned around, grabbed three cups from the stand, and put them in our hands. We clutched them eagerly, giant smiles plastered onto our faces.
"Hello everyone." Our attention was turned behind us where the man in the suit stood. His voice, magnified by the microphone, caught everyone's attention, and soon, the noise died down to a hushed whisper.
"Welcome to each and every one of you here today for the unveiling of the Fat Shake." The crowd let out many excited exchanges before the man in the suit continued, quieting them.
"Now, I want everyone to line up near the vat so we can get this thing started!" There was a hurried scuffling of feet and a haphazard line was made. No matter where you stand in line, you're still not going to be first, because I AM!
"These three children were selected to go first," he gestured toward us. "So, young lady," he looked at me, "are you ready to be the first person in the state of Washington to have a Fat Shake?"
I nodded vigorously. "Yes I am!"
"Then step over here please and hold your cup under the nozzle." I did as I was told, clutching my cup with two hands just in case.
"Steve, the nozzle." Suit Man gave Steve a small smile and Steve hurried over to my side, placing his hand on the nozzle. This is it; I'm going to have a Fat Shake!
"Introducing, the Fat Shake!" The man in the suit proclaimed. Taking his cue, Steve turned the nozzle, and there were sounds of excitement and awe as the scent of the Fat Shake filled the room. My hands gripped the cup tighter as the Fat Shake weighed it down. Finally, my cup was filled, and I was presented with a cap and a straw.
"Well Samantha, how is the Fat Shake?" He put emphasis on the product name for obvious reasons. Proudly, I raised the cup to my mouth, pressing the straw in between my lips. Carefully yet ecstatically I sucked on it, willing the liquid to come up. When the Fat Shake finally reached my tongue, I thought I was going to die. It was the yummiest drink I ever had.
"Absolutely delicious, sir," I said once I forced myself to stop slurping.
"Hear that everyone? Little Samantha thinks the Fat Shake is 'absolutely delicious.' Now, on with the serving!"
Just a minute later, Carly and Freddie rushed to my side, eagerly drinking their Fat Shakes. "Let's get out of here." Carly urged. "I'll text Spencer."
Spencer told us he would wait for us in the parking lot so we could make a quick getaway as long as he got a Fat Shake too.
"He's at the front, hurry."
The three of us knocked our ways through the clump of a line and out of the building. Once we were in the car, we let out sighs of exhaustion before coming to reality and seeing Spencer's expectant face. "How are they?"
"See for yourself," Carly handed Spencer a Fat Shake.
"OH MY GOSH! It's like sweet Heaven in a cup."
"I know!" I exclaimed. Everyone agreed that the Fat Shakes were completely delicious.
After taking several more slurps of his Fat Shake, Spencer remembered we were in a running car in front of an extremely packed building and took off for the Shay apartment.
"Hey Sam?" Hearing my name, I turned to Freddie. "Are you going to add this to your list?"
WHAT? Did he just say what I thought he said? How does he know about my list? Oh my gosh, did he READ IT? I am going to die. Wait a minute, how would he have found it?
I was in such shock that I stammered out a simple "What?" I tried to make it sound like I just didn't hear him, but I was pretty sure that my eyes widened a bit too much to cover up my surprise.
"Are you going to add it to your list?" Freddie hesitated a second before continuing, "you know, your list of favorite foods?" Is that what he thought? Phew. A huge weight lifted from my chest at this realization. "I dunno, I just thought that since you like food so much, maybe you kept a mental list of your favorite foods."
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. What's it to you Benson?" Oh. My. Gosh. That was close.
"It doesn't matter, I was just wondering."
"Well stop wondering before I break your leg." My threats were more for self-assurance that he hadn't actually seen my list, but Freddie didn't seem to notice. He shrank back to the other side of the car slightly before giving me a small glare and turning back to look at his Fat Shake.
"But yes, if I do have a mental list of favorite foods, which I'm not saying I do, this will most certainly make the cut." It was delicious. And, I do have a mental list of favorite foods, but not a formal one, since there are too many great cuts of meat to remember all of them.
January 6, 2009: My First Fat Shake
I did indeed add it to my list before carefully tucking the paper behind my mirror again.
That night, I dreamed happy dreams filled with the thick pink liquid that is the glorious Fat Shake, and didn't want to wake up in the morning.
A humungous thank you to Geekquality, who came up with the idea to base a chapter on Sam's first Fat Cake or Fat Shake. I love hearing everyone's ideas, and I try to fit them in, since there are so many great ones. I thought this was just a fun idea for a chapter, that didn't revolve around Seddie very much, but enabled me to connect itto the previous chapter in a minor way. Anyway, thank you for the chapter name Geekquality!
I'm sure some of you were expecting a more immediate and direct reaction to Freddie's discovery, so I'm sorry if I let anyone down. Truthfully, I think I know what I want the ending to be, but I'm still indecisive about what I want to happen before that (and I don't think the story's that close from being finished). If you have any input, I would love to hear it, and if not, that's fine too. :)
Thank you to everyone who reads my story and another thank you to everyone who reviews.
I will try my best to update very soon, as I will be tied up for a while again.