A Baker's Dozen- Chap. 6

Instructions

October 31, 2022: Allie Halloween is, hands down, my favorite holiday. Why? Because I get to go door to door asking for free food from strangers. Even better, they happily give it to me. After only an hour of trick or treating, my fifties purse was filled to the brim with an assortment of teeth killing, sugar loaded sweet treats. I thanked the person from the last house on the block and ran to join my family, who had stopped collecting candy long before. “Are you finally ready to go?” Waylen asked, raising an eyebrow as he bent down to examine my earnings. “Five bucks for that king size Reece’s.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “You wish.” I said. “Reece’s is my favorite candy, and you know it.” “It’s pronounced Ree-cee’s, not Rees-is.” He retorted. “Whatever.” I turned around and started walking with the rest of my family towards our home. “Blaire, can you take Ren and Allie to the Benson’s house on the way to the high school?” Mom called once we got home. Blaire flashed my mom a thumbs up, grabbing the keys to her truck. “C’mon, guys!” She said, gesturing for us to get in the car. “Ugh, why can’t I go to a fancy school party?” Mason complained. “‘Cause you’re only in fourth grade, and the rest of us are in middle school and high school.” I told him, crossing my arms. “Ben!!! Tell Allie I should be able to go to the party!” He whined. Ben joined us, shooting me a glare. “What?!” I said. “I didn’t do anything!” “As much as I hate to say it, Mase, she’s right. You wouldn’t like it, anyway. Your friends wouldn’t be there.” He said, ignoring me. After a moment of consideration, Mason shrugged. “ “Ok, then.” “HURRY!” Waylen shouted at me, running to Blaire’s car. “I’m coming!” I yelled back. I took one last stormy look at Mason and Ben and stalked over to the truck. Ren was in the front seat with Blaire, and loud classical music was playing over the speakers. I made a face. “Eww, can’t we play something other than Beethoven for once?” I asked, pronouncing the name as Beet-hoven. “Allie, you said it wrong. It’s Baetoven, not Beet-hoven.” said Blaire from the driver’s seat, cranking it up louder. “I don’t care.” I replied. “Do I get in the back?” Blaire nodded. “Waylen, Olivia, and Gabe are already there.” Sure enough, the high schoolers were piled in the back of the truck, so I joined them. A few minutes later, Blaire stopped at the giant home of Lilly Benson, the most popular eighth grader in the school. “Don’t worry, Allie. Everything’s going to be fine. Lilly’s nice, and I’m best friends with her sister.” Olivia reassured me, noticing my hesitation to get out. I shrugged, and Olivia gave me a little push so I’d climb down. “See you later, I guess.” I said, and Olivia nodded. “Bye!” She called as Ren and I walked towards her door, and soon Blaire’s truck had driven away, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust behind. Ren raised her hand to knock on the door, but it was flung open before she could. “Hi, Ren!” Her extremely annoying best friend, Paisley, shrieked, hugging Ren. “Hey, Pay!” She responded, and I resisted the urge to vomit. In general, Ren was a pretty cool sister, but when Paisley was with her, she became a squealing, girly airhead like her friend. “Oh….you’re here, too.” Paisley groaned, noticing me for the first time. She scrunched up her tiny nose, like she had smelled something awful. “Well, I’m sure you’ll be a useful drink server.” “Wait, what?” I protested, my hands on my hips. “I’m a middle school girl just like you, and I have the right to enjoy myself at the par-” Paisley interrupted me, putting a manicured hand up to silence me. “Yes….but you’re a sixth grader.” She said, and I looked at her in disgust. “Yeah, so?” “So, you’re a newbie. You have to… earn the right to enjoy the party. Right, Ren?” Paisley looked at Ren with a knowing smile on her dark red lips. Ren nodded. “Allie would love to.” “SERIOUSLY?!” I exclaimed. Paisley smirked at my anger and clapped her hands together. “Marvelous. Now, let’s tell Lilly that we have a new kitchen maid.” Her voice was sickly sweet, and it was clear she was enjoying this. She pushed me into the house, past the dance floor, past the entrance to the pool, and into the kitchen. My heart stopped when I saw all the food. Boxes and boxes of hot pepperoni pizza, giant bowls of every kind of chip imaginable, a ginormous fridge stuffed with cans of highly caffeinated soda, and best of all- a humongous bowl filled with hundreds of pieces of candy. “I get some of this, right?” I whispered, my eyes wide. Paisley laughed unpleasantly. “If you cooperate and prove that you’re worthy.” She replied. “Oh, Lilly!” A girl sashayed towards us, and my breath caught in my throat. This was Lilly Benson, the most popular, prettiest, and richest girl at Franklin Middle School. “I’m so glad you guys could come!” She said with a beaming smile. “Same.” Answered Paisley. “Anyways, Ren’s little sister….Anna, right?”