[ Chloe ]

I walked out of the bathroom to see Paige stirring in her sleep, almost awake. After I packed up all my stuff from the night in my bag, rolled up my sleeping bag, and put my pillow away, Paige was sitting up.

She yawned as she asked me, "Where's my mom?"

"Getting donuts!" I excitedly told her.

She jumped out of bed. "I love donuts!" She rushed to the bathroom, her bedhead curls bouncing as she charged down the hallway. I took my phone from my bag and checked my messages. My mom had asked if I'm doing okay.

~I'm doing great!

I texted her back. Then I slipped my phone back in my bag as Paige came out of the bathroom. "Your mom said she would be back at 9:15 and it's 9:07," I told Paige.

"Then let's wait the final 8 minutes together," she smiled at me.

~~~

I heard Miss Kelly's footsteps walking up the basement stairs. Paige and I looked at each other and charged down the steps screaming "Donuts donuts donuts!"

Miss Kelly opened the door and Paige and I snatched the bag from her.

"Well you girls are certainly excited for breakfast," she said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. Miss Kelly walked over to the counter and set her purse down.

"We sure are," Paige responded while digging through the bag, searching for her favorite flavor, strawberry with sprinkles.

Miss Kelly laughed. "Well, if you girls love donuts so much, maybe you should consider getting a job at this donut store. It's close to both of your houses, and it has great customer numbers. They're looking for employees too."

"Miss Kelly, not to be rude, but... Aren't we too young to, ya know, get a job?" I politely argued.

"No, not at all. You can even work something out with the manager, like... Instead of being paid in money, you can be paid in donuts! 1 donut every 2 hours!" She told Paige and I.

Our eyes lit up. "Paid... In... Donuts!" We screamed. "We'll take it!"

"Then you rascals had better get ready to go to the shop today! I'll drive you. Chloe, can you tell your mom that we might get you home a little late?"

"Sure!" I said with enthusiasm, while pulling out my phone to text my mom.

After I sent the message, Paige and I squealed with delight. A real job!

Paid in donuts!