Alex, Harper and Astrid walked together through the busy hallway, surrounded by the noise of lockers slamming and students chatting. The bell had just rung, marking the end of one class and the beginning of another. The three friends navigated through the crowd effortlessly.

"Oh, my gosh, did you hear? The Gurtbarn is handing out free frozen yogurt samples." Harper informed as they walked down the stairs.

"Oh. How do you know that?" Astrid wondered.

"On my cell, I got a 'Gurt' alert." Harper replied with a wide smile.

Alex sighed. "Well, you're gonna have to try it without us. We have to work."

Last year, Alex had suggested that Astrid apply when she was feeling restless after a long school year. Astrid was unsure of what to do with her time that summer, and working at the Waverly Sub Station didn't initially seem like an exciting idea. However, when Alex pointed out how easy it would be to pick up shifts, Astrid reluctantly agreed to give it a shot.

One afternoon, she walked in, filled out an application and spoke to Jerry, who hired her immediately.

The first week was a whirlwind of learning how to craft the perfect sub, memorize intricate sandwich orders and cope with the lunchtime rush. Alex was by her side, cracking jokes during hectic moments and helping her stay composed when she accidentally dropped an entire tray of sandwiches on the floor.

Astrid quickly adapted to the routine at Waverly Sub Station. She swiftly mastered the art of making subs, handling the cash register, and inventing new sandwich combinations. The Sub Station had become a familiar routine, one she thoroughly enjoyed, especially with Alex by her side.

Jerry quickly approved of her due to her positive attitude and strong work ethic. She easily picked up on the nuances of the job and soon became an integral part of the team.

For Alex, having one of her best friends working along side her was a win-win. It made the work feel less like work and more like time spent with a friend.

It turned out that hiring Astrid was one of the best decisions Jerry had made for the shop.

"You guys always have to work." Harper groaned.

Before anyone could respond, a student walked past them wearing a beanie, clearly attempting to conceal their hair.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "A beanie?"

"What's that? A hat?
Crazy, funky, junky hat
Overslept, hair unsightly
Trying to look like Keira Knightley
We've been there, we've done that
We see right through your funky hat"

The Crazy Hat Song was only performed whenever the three of them saw a person wearing a peculiar hat. The song was all about rocking wild, funky hats and embracing individuality. The lyrics were playful and light-hearted, focusing on the idea that wearing a unique, 'crazy' hat can make a person feel confident and fun.

Alex, Harper and Astrid created a dance routine to go along with the song. The routine is quirky and spontaneous, featuring a series of goofy and exaggerated moves that perfectly capture the upbeat and carefree vibe of the song.

"You were saying?" Alex asked Harper as they finished their dance.

"It's just really hard to have friends who are always busy." Harper told them.

"I know." Alex agreed before her face brightened as an idea popped into her mind. "Ooh, why don't I get my parents to give you a job at the sandwich shop, like how they did with Astrid? That way, we can hang out all the time and even get paid for it."

"Really? That'd be great. I've never had a job before, well, except for the dollar grandma gives me for rubbing lotion on her feet." Harper told her best friends.

"Yeah. Well, we'll just make sure that you're wearing gloves when you make the sandwich." Astrid said and Alex nodded in agreement.

••••

After school, Astrid headed to the Sub Station to start her shift. The routine involved putting on her apron, tying back her hair, and preparing for the potential chaos that could arise, whether it was a sudden rush of customers in the afternoon or one of the Russo family's magical mishaps.

When the door opened to announce the arrival for the first customers, Astrid greeted them warmly, took their orders and quickly noted them down. Working alongside Alex, she followed the familiar routine of preparing fresh ingredients, slicing vegetables and crafting perfect sandwiches for a continuous flow of customers.

She thrived in the fast-paced environment, enjoying Alex's humor and Jerry moving around to provide support and engage in casual conversation.

Despite being part of a small team, the crew had a magical chemistry. Astrid had learned the ins and outs of the job, learning how to handle multiple orders, keep sandwiches perfectly stacked and always serve with a smile, even during busy times.

Occasionally, things did get hectic, like when Alex attempted to use magic to speed up the sandwich making process, resulting in a giant sandwich appearing out of nowhere, or when a customer's sub accidentally transformed into a live animal due to an ill-timed spell.

Astrid was always the calm one, able to roll with the chaos. Her unflappable nature kept her grounded, even when Alex or other members of the Russo family (including the unpredictable Max) used their magic in the most ridiculous ways. She would often find herself laughing along with the madness, picking up the pieces when things went awry, and ensuring that the customers still left happy.

"Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs. Russo." Harper greeted as she walked into the Sub Station, holding a 'help wanted' sign. "I happen to be passing by when I noticed this 'help wanted' sign. I'd like to apply for the position."

Astrid and Alex shared knowing smiles as they finished wiping tables before heading over to the counter where Harper, Jerry and Theresa were gathered.

"Oh, wow, I didn't know we were hiring." Astrid said aloud, trying to play it cool.

"What a good idea, mum and dad." Alex added, glancing back and forth between her parents.

"Harper, we didn't put that sign in the window." Jerry informed.

Alex pursed her lips. "Well, someone must have."

"We're not hiring any sandwich associates." Jerry declared.

"Or people wearing a sandwich." Theresa added, gesturing to Harper's blue shirt with a sandwich printed on it.

"Harper, there's no job available, but if you can turn that sandwich into a taco, I think Raul's is hiring down the street." Jerry told the red-haired girl.

Astrid sighed. "But we're swamped. We really need more help with..." She trailed off, glancing at what she expected to be a busy shop, only to find it empty. She turned back to Jerry and Theresa hesitantly. "... All of our phone orders."

"Girls, I know you think it'd be fun to work together, but it's really hard to work with friends... or family." Theresa told the three teens and casted a quick glance at her husband beside her. "The one time you forget to wipe off the tip of the mustard squeeze bottle, and it's suddenly three hours of silent salami slicing."

"It dries at the end and gets crusty. It's unsightly." Jerry explained.

Alex sighed. "But, Mum, Dad, think about it. If Harper works here, you guys could spend more time with each other."

"Yeah, Jerry. We could even go to one of those dollar movies you're always talking about." Theresa suggested, genuinely considering the idea."

Jerry smiled widely. "It's a movie for a dollar. How could you not talk about that?"

"Let me show you." Theresa said, turning away from her husband and leaned against the counter, focusing her attention to the teenage girls. "Alex, Astrid, it is a big responsibility training a new employee."

"Does that mean yes?" Astrid wondered, a smile starting to appear on her face.

"And you can't shirk your responsibilities while your training her." Jerry added.

"Does that mean yes?"

"And remember, business comes before friendship." Theresa concluded.

"I'm taking this all as a yes. Harper, you're hired." Alex announced. The three girls squealed with joy, jumping up and down. Once Alex noticed the look her parents were giving them, she stopped and extended her hand. "I mean, welcome to our family's business."

••••

After a busy lunch rush at the Waverly Sub Station the next day, Astrid eagerly wiped her hands on her apron, looking forward to a well-deserved break. She had been working tirelessly, preparing sandwiches and managing the register.

Alex was assigned to train Harper today. However, instead of getting down to work, the two of them ended up seated at a table. Astrid joined them, sipping on a soda and started chatting with her friends about everything except sandwiches.

"This would look great on you." Harper said, pointing to a piece of clothing in the magazine.

Alex shook her head. "No. It'd look better on you. You're more of a summer."

"Speaking of summer, did you hear what happened to her in gym today?" Astrid wondered, glancing between her best friends.

"Speaking of Jim, I heard he and Summer are going out."

"That's what I was gonna say."

Jerry walked over to the table, holding a container of coffee. "Uh. Huey Duey and Luey? Can I interrupt to interest you in some actual work."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Dad. We were just taking a little break, but we're getting back to work right now." Alex explained as she, Harper and Astrid stood up from the table and gathered together.

"Okay. Well, there's a customer." Jerry said, gesturing to a man in a cowboy hat sitting in one of the booths. "Why don't you go take his order?"

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "A cowboy hat?"

"What's that? A hat?
Crazy, funky, junky hat
Overslept, hair unsightly
Trying to look like Keira Knightley
We've been there, we've done that
We see right through your funky hat"

With that, the three teenagers went back to work. Astrid went up to a table where two regulars were seated in their usual spots by the window, while Alex and Harper headed towards the booth where the person wearing a cowboy hat was sitting.

"Hi, how's it going today?" Astrid asked cheerfully.

"Oh, you know, the usual," one of the customers replied, grinning. "I'll have the Turkey Club with extra mayo, and don't forget the pickles on the side this time!"

"Got it!" Astrid nodded with a smile as she jotted down in her notepad. Then, turning to the other customer, she asked. "And for you, the usual chicken parm sub?"

"Yup, but this time can I get it with extra cheese?" the second customer asked, looking up at Astrid with a hopeful expression.

"No problem, extra cheese, coming right up." The teenage said, walking away to deliver the order to the kitchen.

It wasn't just the regulars that made Astrid's job enjoyable. She had a talent for reading people, so when new customers entered, she would often take a few extra moments to chat and make them feel at home. It didn't take long before she discovered their preference, such as who preferred extra mayo, who enjoyed spicy subs, and who couldn't tolerate onions.

Astrid was not only efficient but also had a knack for putting people at ease. She had a talent for initiating casual conversations, providing suggestions and engaging in light-hearted banter, ensuring that customers always felt welcome.

During the process of taking orders, she would frequently engage in friendly chats, inquiring about their day or activities, creating an atmosphere at Waverly Sub Station that was more akin to a community gathering spot where customers were treated like family.

After taking orders, Astrid's responsibility was to ensure that the food was delivered to the correct tables. She would navigate carefully between the chairs, balancing trays filled with a variety of sandwiches, fries and drinks, ensuring that each meal was delivered with a personal touch.

"Here you go, one Turkey Club with extra mayo and pickles on the side." She announced as she placed the plate in front of the regulars. She then turned to the other customer and said. "And here's your chicken parm sub with extra cheese. Enjoy! Can I grab you guys any drinks or maybe some more napkins?"

The regulars smiled, satisfied with the service. "No, we're good. Thanks!"

Astrid nodded and returned to the counter, meticulously wiping down the surface in precise, circular motions to ensure no crumbs, spills or streaks were left behind.

She looked up just in time to see her best friends walking back to the counter. Alex had a frustrated expression on her face as she went behind the counter, while Harper trailed behind with a nervous look.

"How did I do?" Harper wondered.

"Well, you just turned a $12 order into us owing him." Alex responded with a sigh.

Jerry walked out of the kitchen and placed a sub on the counter. "Table four. Sandwich up."

The three teenagers watched as he rang the bell before walking back into the kitchen. Astrid narrowed her eyes and shook her head before returning to work.

"Look. Why don't you just run sandwiches while I take orders?" Alex suggested as she began walking around the counter.

Before anyone could react, Harper quickly grabbed the sandwich basket and began to walk. However, she stumbled and accidentally dropped the sandwich on the ground.

"Oh! I'm sorry." Harper apologized quickly.

"Look..." Astrid began as she walked around the counter towards her best friend. "Why don't you focus on cleaning tables, I'll handle taking orders, and Alex can manage making sandwiches?"

Harper nodded as Alex and Astrid continued to move around, taking orders.

"So, how's Harper working out?" Theresa asked as she approached the two teenagers.

"Great... She's really getting the hang of it." Alex replied with a forced smile.

"How much coffee do I pour on the coffee cake?" Harper wondered as she stood behind the counter, holding the container of coffee and gazed down at the slice of coffee cake.

Theresa glanced at Harper with a puzzled expression, prompting a nervous chuckle from Alex. Noticing Astrid's lack of amusement, she elbowed Astrid in the side. Astrid winced in pain, massaging her sore side before joining Alex in her uneasy laughter.

"That's just a joke between the three of us." Alex told her mother before glancing at Harper. "None, Harper. None."

But the problems only escalated from there.

Harper's attempts to make the sandwiches more 'interesting' led to one disaster after another. She mixed up orders, forgot to add basic ingredients like lettuce or tomatoes, and one time, she accidentally swapped the meatball sub with a vegetarian one- without informing anyone. Customers who had ordered meatballs were now staring at piles of tofu and veggies, utterly confused.

Every time she attempted a simple task- like grabbing a sandwich, setting down a tray, or serving a customer- she would trip over her own feet or knock something over. She was moving so quickly, eager to impress everyone with her enthusiasm, that she kept misjudging her steps.

The next disaster struck as she was crossing the room with a sandwich. She stumbled over her own feet, causing the sandwich to soar through the air and land squarely on Jerry's shirt, splattering his shirt with sauce.

Later in the day when Harper needed to restock the drink straws, she stood at a table and carefully picked up the straw holders. As she attempted to place the straws into the designated container, her spatial awareness proved to be lacking. Accidentally, her elbow bumped into Jerry, who was walking behind her with a sandwich, causing the sauce from the sandwich to stain his shirt once again.

Harper's ability to move around the sub station without causing some kind of spill or accident was... nonexistent. Every time she tried to pick something up, she would bump into a table or accidentally knock a condiment bottle off the counter.

Astrid walked around the room with a tray of freshly made sandwiches while Theresa took orders. Harper was mopping the floor and accidentally tripped over Theresa with the mop, causing a chain reaction.

Theresa stumbled into a few customers, prompting them to stand up from the table and inadvertently bump into Astrid, sending the sandwiches flying straight to Jerry's shirt.

"Alex, Astrid, can I talk to you two in the kitchen?" Jerry asked, trying to stay calm despite his shirt being covered in various sauces and condiments.

"Are you sure you don't want to change your shirt first? It's kind of gross." Alex wondered with a small grimace.

"No, because I'm sure she's gonna do it again." Jerry responded in an annoyed tone before ushering the teenagers into the kitchen.

Astrid and Alex exchanged worried glances before following Jerry into the kitchen, with Theresa trailing behind. The tension in the room was palpable, so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Alex sighed. "Look. Before you guys talk about whatever you want to talk about, I have something to say. Harper is not working out."

"Oh, good. Then we're on the same page." Jerry responded, gesturing to his stained shirt.

"I'm not sure where this is going, but continue." Theresa urged.

"Right. I think we should let Harper go." Astrid suggested, fumbling with her fingers nervously.

Jerry nodded in agreement. "Okay. This is a lot easier than I thought it was gonna be."

"Yeah. Let us know how she takes it." Alex said as she took Astrid's hand, and the two of them started walking out of the kitchen.

Theresa stepped forward and grabbed her daughter's arm, halting the teenagers. "Okay. now we're not on the same page. It was your idea to hire Harper, and we told you two 'business before friendship', so you're gonna have to fire her."

"Well, now we have a problem with that." Astrid muttered.

"You two come with us. Come on." Alex insisted, gesturing for her parents to follow her and Astrid to the refrigerator and opening it.

As you enter, the cool air welcomes you, providing a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the busy kitchen. The walls are adorned with sturdy metal shelves, each meticulously stocked with fresh ingredients, sauces, and deli meats neatly wrapped or stored in clear containers. The bright fluorescent lights above illuminate the area, casting a cold, clinical glow over the neatly arranged items.

On the left, a spacious area displays chilled produce such as crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and assorted sandwich toppings. The bins are meticulously labeled to maintain freshness. On the right, shelves are neatly stacked with a variety of cheeses, including sharp cheddar, provolone and mozzarella essential for the sub station's sandwiches. Towards the back, large trays of cold cuts like turkey, ham, roast beef and salami are conveniently arranged for quick access by the staff when preparing orders.

In one corner of the fridge, gallon-sized jars of condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, pickles and olives are stored, ready to be added to sandwiches. The bottom shelves are designated for items that require colder temperatures, such as cold salads or pre-made sandwich fillings.

"What are we doing in here?" Theresa questioned.

"Okay. If we stay in here long enough, Harper won't be able to find anyone, and she'll just leave." Alex explained, closing the refrigerator door.

Jerry furrowed his eyebrows. "And you expect that to work?"

"Well, that's how we managed to leave Harper's sewing club. I hate to admit it." Astrid said, nervously fumbling with her fingers.

"Look. If Harper is not better by the end of the day, one of you is going to have to fire her." Theresa declared firmly.

Jerry nodded in agreement. "And I don't know how you're going to do it, but I agree with your mother."

Alex huffed. "Fine, but this could've worked."

With that, Astrid and Alex walked out of the refrigerator, brainstorming a plan to help Harper improve.

••••

Astrid picked up a fresh baguette from the bread rack, sliced it in half and started layering the ingredients: crunchy lettuce, thinly sliced tomatoes, a generous amount of turkey, melted cheese and a drizzle of sauce. Each ingredient was carefully added in layers, resulting in a sandwich that was not only delicious but also perfectly put together.

She worked swiftly yet deliberately, crafting each sandwich like a skilled artist creating a masterpiece, her motions graceful and seamless.

The kitchen was buzzing with energy as she prepared the orders, yet Astrid maintained a calm, methodical rhythm. She moved seamlessly from station to station, retrieving ingredients from the walk-in refrigerator, double checking the orders, and ensuring everything was perfect. The sound of knives slicing through vegetables, the sizzle of cheese melting, and the hum of the kitchen filled the space, creating a comforting symphony of controlled chaos.

Meanwhile, Alex was in the Lair. Despite her best efforts, Harper just wasn't suited for the job. So Alex decided that there had to be something in the lair that could change that.

"Waitress spell, waitress spell..." Alex muttered as she emerged from the refrigerator with a book in hand. She approached Astrid, set the book down on the table and let out a sigh of frustration. "Uh! No waitress spell."

Astrid peered over Alex's shoulder and examined the spell book, noticing a spell that might solve their problem.

"What about this spell?" Astrid wondered, pointing to a page in the book.

"'Serving Wrench'?" Alex read in confusion. She then blew the dust off the page. "Oh, 'Serving Wench'."

"Where have I heard that before?" Astrid muttered aloud. Justin then entered the kitchen and placed something into the microwave. She turned to face him. "Hey, Justin what's a Serving Wench?"

"Serving Wench- a young woman, usually related to an innkeeper, who during medieval time, would serve grog and food to guests of the inn." Justin explained simply.

"So, like a waitress, right?"

"Well, not technically because-"

"But like a waitress, right?" Alex questioned with a blank expression.

"I guess. Why? Did dad say there was a pop quiz on the medieval food-service industry?" Justin asked frantically, concerned that there might be a test coming up that he hasn't studied for.

"Yep." Alex responded with a smirk, closing the spell book. "Better study up."

Alex placed the book on the table and left the kitchen. Justin hurried to the book, opened it and started studying for a test that didn't even exist.

"Good luck." Astrid told him with a small smile. Justin looked up at her in confusion. "Justin, you don't need to study. You're already smart enough."

Astrid then casually walked out of the kitchen. Justin couldn't help but smile, his cheeks slightly flushed by the unexpected compliment. She had a knack for making everything sound sincere and effortlessly charming, a rarity for him to hear, especially from one of his sister's friends.

Astrid stood next to Alex at the counter, observing Harper dealing with customers at a table who were upset because she had mixed up their drink orders. To make matters worse, she took a sip and switched the drinks between customers.

"Take this girl with the skills of a bench and turn her into a serving wench." Alex cast, waving her hands towards Harper.

Harper's body trembled briefly before she addressed the customers and headed towards the counter with a cheerful expression.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Astrid asked Harper.

"Suddenly a lot better." Harper replied before walking into the kitchen.

Astrid and Alex shared a knowing smile before high-fiving each other as they leaned on the counter. It wasn't long before Harper emerged from the kitchen carrying multiple sandwich baskets in her hands and arms.

Jerry walked around the sub shop, holding the coffee container and suddenly halted when he saw Harper approaching. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the collision that never happened. She deftly tossed a sandwich basket in the air, skillfully maneuvered around Jerry, grabbed a mustard bottle, tucked it under her arm and effortlessly caught the sandwich basket.

Jerry walked over to the counter where Alex and Astrid were. "Boy, Harper improved quickly."

"Yeah. Well, sometimes it just takes a while for your skills to kick in." Astrid said.

"You probably know that from coaching, since you're such a good coach." Alex added, patting her father on the arm.

Jerry nodded and smirked. "I am a pretty good coach."

••••

With the spell in effect, something extraordinary occurred. Harper's movements transformed into smooth and graceful actions, as if she had been working at the Sub Station for years. Transitioning effortlessly from table to table, her timing was impeccable. She took orders with ease, charmed people with her humor and maintained a cool, calm demeanor throughout.

Not once did she drop a drink or bump into anyone.

It didn't take long for the change to become apparent to everyone at the Sub Station, especially the customers. The news spread rapidly, and soon the place was bustling with more activity than ever before. Every table was occupied, and orders were pouring in non-stop at the counter.

Harper had become a natural at her job. She navigated the busy sub station with confidence, engaging customers in conversation while effortlessly balancing multiple trays of food. She confidently made recommendations to customers, suggesting the ideal sandwich combinations based on their preferences.

Gone was the clumsy waitress who struggled to keep orders straight- she had transformed into the star waitress, and everyone clamored to be seated in her section.

Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any crazier, they did. As more and more people flocked to the Sub Station, the line at the counter stretched out the door.

Orders piled up, but Harper handled it all effortlessly. She was everywhere at once- taking orders, delivering food, keeping drinks filled- all with an ease that made it look like she had been a waitress her entire life.

As the evening progressed, the Sub Station became busier than ever before. Despite the chaos, Harper remained composed and in control. She maintained her cool, avoided mistakes and never faltered. The spell had worked its magic, providing Harper with the focus, grace and confidence required to excel as a waitress.

"Tuna Wrap Brooklyn Style. Burn 'em. I need a Roast Beef. Knock the wind out of it and let it walk." Harper called out to the kitchen.

Jerry and Theresa walked into the Sub Station  after their date at the movies for a dollar and were surprised by the crowd inside. They noticed the three teenagers working behind the counter and quickly made their way over to them.

"Where did all these people come from?" Theresa wondered in astonishment.

"Oh, Harper gave everyone that was here earlier a coupon to come back for dinner and get a free soda with every sandwich." Alex explained.

"But we already give free soda at dinner." Jerry pointed out.

"We know. She's brilliant!" Astrid exclaimed cheerfully while Alex beamed with a wide smile.

"Harper is doing great." Theresa complimented.

Alex nodded. "I know. You know what you should do? You should leave her in charge tomorrow so that you and dad could spend the day doing something."

Jerry sighed and looked down at his wife. "You know, for as long as we've lived in New York, we've never been to the Statue of Liberty."

"I know, and it's the one pencil sharpener missing from my monument collection." Theresa said.

"Let's go." Jerry insisted. With that, the two of them raced up the spiral staircase and began packing.

"Order's up!" Harper announced from the kitchen. Suddenly, she started tossing plates and baskets of sandwiches out the window, landing them on tables effortlessly.

"Oh, my Gosh, did you hear that? I just talked my mum and dad into leaving you in charge so when they leave, we can lock up and we can do whatever we want, except go to the Statue of Liberty." Alex informed Harper with a wide smile through the kitchen window.

Harper shook her head. "I don't think so. We're gonna be pretty busy here. I just e-mailed out a breakfast special, so you two should be in about 5 A.M."

Alex scoffed. "I'm not coming in at 5 A.M."

"Me neither. My shift doesn't start until midday." Astrid added.

"Yeah. I think you two are." Harper responded firmly before glancing over her shoulder. "I need two Bow Wows painted red, and who do I have to kick in the can to get some nachos?"

"I can come in whenever I want." Alex declared.

"No, you can't. You heard your parents. They're leaving me in charge."

"Because I told them to. You're not my boss. I checked with my boss, and since I'm the boss of me, I'm giving myself the day off."

Harper walked out of the kitchen, carrying a tray of sandwiches. "I hate to do this, but if you don't come in tomorrow, you're fired."

For a moment, Alex stood frozen, a little taken aback by Harper's sudden authority. It was as if the spell had bestowed upon her more than just grace and focus, it had made her feel downright empowered.

Astrid was taken aback as she witnessed a side of Harper she had never seen before- a confident, no-nonsense version of her that was clearly in control of the situation. It was as if she had transformed into a different person in an instant.

"Okay, let's all just calm down." Astrid advised, glancing between her friends.

Alex stepped in front of Harper with a glare. "You can't fire me. It's my family's restaurant. You're fired."

"I'm in charge. You can't fire me." Harper argued.

"My family owns the restaurant, and since I'm in the family, that makes me part-owner. Owners can fire employees. Do the math."

"Well, fine. If you fire me from the restaurant, I'm firing you from being my friend." Harper declared firmly before removing her apron. "I'm removing this apron from the restaurant and the metaphorical apron of our friendship."

Astrid stepped aside and observed Harper throwing off a pretend apron before storming out of the Sub Station.

"There's no apron of our friendship!" Alex shouted.

"Not anymore there isn't." Harper retorted before walking out of the building.

Astrid pursed her lips. "Well that went well."

Alex stood still, gazing at the door, unable to comprehend what had transpired. She couldn't fathom that Harper had walked out on her, ending their friendship, and leaving her in this state.

They had faced numerous challenges together, but now it seemed like everything had crumbled.

••••

The atmosphere in the sandwich shop had shifted from lively to tense, as if a storm was brewing. Alex and Astrid were seated on stools at the counter, struggling to make sense of the recent turn of events. The unexpected actions of Harper, who had always exuded confidence, had left them stunned.

Jerry and Theresa returned downstairs to the Sub Station and Alex and Astrid informed them about what had just occurred with Harper.

"So, did she quit, or did you fire her? Which is it?" Jerry asked.

"It was complicated. I guess both." Alex answered.

"Well, make sure she quit. That way, I don't have to pay her for the rest of the week."

Everyone narrowed their eyes in confusion as they looked at him.

Theresa gave her husband a pointed look. "Jerry."

"Oh, I mean, I'm sorry." Jerry apologized, reaching out to his daughter across the counter. "It's hard to work with friends."

"Hey, I work here and there's no problem." Astrid said.

"For now." Jerry responded before walking into the kitchen, leaving Theresa, Alex and Astrid at the counter.

"So, you think you and Harper are gonna be okay?" Theresa wondered.

"I don't know." Alex said honestly. "I tried to fire her from the job, but she fired me from being her friend."

Both Alex and Astrid noticed a customer wearing a beret approaching the counter. The customer grabbed a menu and headed to a table. The two teenagers exchanged glances and then started singing The Crazy Hat song.

"What's that? A hat?
Crazy, funky, junky hat-"

Astrid groaned, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned her elbow on the counter. "Oh, forget it. It's not the same."

"Oh, girls, you want me to do that crazy hat dance with you?" Theresa offered, dancing awkwardly behind the counter, not quite getting the steps right.

"No." Alex declared, cringing. "It's weird. It's kind of me, Astrid and Harper's thing, and sometimes it's about you."

••••

Later that night Alex and Astrid made the decision to go out and search for Harper. Alex was determined to rekindle the connection she once had with Harper.

This time, it wasn't about magic; it was about the pure joy of having a best friend who truly understood her. Alex was prepared to do whatever it took to make things right.

Descending the spiral staircase into the Sub Station, Alex and Astrid spotted Justin at the entrance, peering through the glass window as if he were trying to avoid someone.

Astrid tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to jump and shout, swinging his arms around. When he realized it was his sister and her friend, he sighed in relief.

"Oh, it's you two." Justin breathed out. "Hey, you haven't seen, like, four or five tiny, little ninjas running around, have you?"

Astrid narrowed her eyes. "No...?"

"Have you seen really tall flowers that talk?" Alex asked, but Justin just stared at her blankly. Confused, she furrowed her eyebrows. "Wait, I'm not sure what game we're playing."

"Look. There's the kid, Frankie. Him and his little thugs are after me. They're trying to muscle in on my brain train action." Justin explained.

"Oh, this isn't as fun a game as I thought." Alex commented in disappointment as she and Astrid walked towards the entrance's double doors.

"Hey." Justin called out, stopping the two girls. "Are you two on your way to see Harper?"

Alex shook her head and crossed her arms. "No. Why? Where have you seen Harper?"

"Well, when Frankie chased me earlier, I hid in the Gurtbarn. She works there now. She wouldn't let me hide in the bathroom unless I bought something."

Astrid raised her eyebrows. "Huh, so she got a job at Gurtbarn."

"Yeah, and she's amazing. She had, like, ten waffle cones and a couple of 'gurt shakes in one hand." Justin said.

"I did that. I put a spell on her to make her good." Alex admitted.

"Wait a minute. You used the Serving-Wench spell on her." Justin said, realization dawning on him before his eyes widened. "Wait another minute. This is no pop quiz on the medieval food-service industry. I crammed for that."

"Are you done? Because I got to go apologize to Harper." Alex said.

Justin hesitated before finally speaking, sighing in defeat. "Yes, I'm done. Yeah."

Alex and Astrid nodded as they exited the sub shop.

••••

It wasn't long before Alex and Astrid arrived at the Gurtban. The store had a cozy and colorful atmosphere, with vibrant murals of fruit, sprinkles and smiley faces adorning the walls. The soft, soothing background music created a little bubble of happiness in the middle of the bustling city.

Their eyes scanned the counter, and there, behind the register, stood Harper. She was dressed in the shop's signature blue apron, her hair down, reminiscent of old times.

With a deep breath, Alex stepped forward, walking towards the counter where Harper stood.

"Hi. Welcome to the 'Gurtbarn. How can I-" Harper began to greet but when she looked up and saw Alex, she frowned. "What do you want?"

"For us to be friends again, and I'm not leaving here until we are." Alex said, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Well, I don't need your friendship because I'm employee of the month, and I have a new friend." Harper responded, not looking at Astrid, keeping her focus on Alex with guarded eyes.

"Who?" Alex wondered.

"My manager." Harper said quietly, her tone softer now.

Alex raised her eyebrows. "Oh, yeah? What's her name?"

"Well, I can't tell you. She told me not to wear it out."

"Look, Harper, you're one of my best friends, and just because you got really bossy at the restaurant doesn't mean I don't miss you as being my best friend."

Harper scoffed. "I wasn't bossy. You weren't respecting me as your boss."

"Because you're not my boss." Alex retorted. "Why don't you just accept my apology?"

"Because 'you got really bossy' is not an apology. Now just go away. I have to refill the machine."

Alex then stood to the side, arms crossed over her stomach, with a sigh of defeat. Astrid joined her as they watched Harper refill the yogurt machine.

"Hey," Astrid said gently, placing a hand on Alex's arm. "You okay?"

Alex shook her head, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and hurt. "No, Astrid. I'm not okay. It feels like she's never going to forgive me."

Astrid felt her heart break as she heard the pain in Alex's voice. She understood the significance of Harper in her best friend's life. The three of them shared many experiences together, and for Alex to feel like she had lost that connection was a devastating blow.

"Hey, Alex, how'd things go with Harper?" Justin asked as he entered the store and approached the girls.

"Not good." Alex responded with a frown.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'll do it." Astrid offered as she raised her hands in the air. "Take this girl who's a great serving wench and give her back the skills of a bench."

And instantly, Harper who was carrying a tray of yogurt to a table of customers, tripped and spilled the yogurt on the them. Alex, Astrid and Justin quickly took a seat in one of the booths, attempting to act normal as they observed Harper return to her usual clumsy self.

"Oh! I'm so sorry." Harper apologized as she knelt down to clean the table. "I don't usually do this sort of thing. I'm employee of the month." She started putting the frozen yogurt back into its container. "Look. This is still good. We can scoop it up. Um, let me get you some all-new yogurt."

Embarrassed, Harper stood back up and made her way back to the counter.

"So, that's the solution- make her look bad in front of everybody?" Justin questioned, giving a pointed look at Astrid.

"I'm not sure. I just want her and Alex to be friends again." Astrid responded, her expression wary.

"Well, if you want the friendship to come back, Alex, you gotta to be a friend to her." Justin advised.

The two teenage girls glanced across the room and saw Harper struggling to control the yogurt machine, which kept pouring yogurt in endless streams.

Alex sighed. "I hate it when you're right."

"But you kind of want to thank me."

"No."

"I hope this works." Astrid muttered.

Alex stood up from he seat and walked over to the counter where Harper was still having trouble with the frozen yogurt machine. Astrid smiled, knowing that this chaos was the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect.

Rolling up her jacket sleeves, Alex stepped closer to Harper. "Here. Let me help you."

"Why do you want to help me?" Harper questioned.

"Because I'm your friend, and you can fire me from being you friend, but you can't fire me from acting like a friend. Here, go get cups. We need cups. Get cups."

"I just can't get this machine to turn off."

Harper hurried to get cups while Alex used her hands to catch the steady stream of frozen yogurt. When Harper returned with the cups, Alex filled all three quickly, causing them to overflow in an instant. The cups slipped from her grasp and landed on the floor with a loud thud, spattering yogurt onto her shoes.

"Oh! We're gonna need something bigger." Alex said with concern. Harper looked around, then took off her shoe and handed it to Alex, who grabbed it and gave her a pointed look before using it. The frozen yogurt poured into the shoe and overflowed. "Okay. We're gonna need something bigger."

Not waiting any longer, Astrid stood up from her seat and joined in, grabbing a stack of napkins to help them.

"Here, let me help." Astrid offered, using the napkins to try to stop the yogurt machine but it only seemed to get worse. The more they tried to stop it, the messier everything became.

Harper quickly grabbed the plastic ice cream cone in front of the counter as Alex knelt down under the frozen yogurt machine, opening her mouth. The yogurt spilled onto her head and down her front. Astrid gasped in shock as Harper returned, but then slipped and fell on the frozen yogurt-covered floor.

"Brain freeze!" Alex exclaimed uncomfortably.

Then all of a sudden, the frozen yogurt machine stopped.

"Must've run out." Astrid observed.

"Yeah." Alex breathed out, agreeing before a burst of yogurt spilled out, pouring onto her head. "Nope. Now it did."

"I'm so sorry." Harper apologized, looking at the frozen yogurt on Alex's head.

Alex, now covered from head to toe in yogurt started wiping the yogurt from her face. "Why are you sorry? It's like a funky hat."

For a moment, the world seemed to pause. They were still surrounded by spilled yogurt and chaos, but something had shifted between them. The fight, the anger and all of the unsaid things between them, started to melt away, just like the yogurt on the floor.

The three of them gave each other knowing smiles.

"What's that? A hat?
Crazy, funky, junky hat
Overslept, hair unsightly
Trying to look like Keira Knightley
We've been there, we've done that
We see right through your funky hat"

Alex, Astrid and Harper chuckled before Astrid wrapped her arms around her best friends, not caring about the frozen yogurt covering her and pulled them into a group hug.

They separated as the manager approached them with a blank expression, staring at Harper.

"I'm sorry. We had a bit of an accident." Harper explained nervously.

"We should get our story straight before the owner comes in." The Manager suggested. Just then, a kid dashed out of the bathroom with one of the jocks from school in pursuit. Justin quickly stood up and trailed them out of the store. "We'll blame him."

"Perfect. I've been blaming him my whole life." Alex said casually.

••••

The next day, Alex, Harper and Astrid were in the middle of the loft, practicing The Crazy Hat song and dance, teaching Theresa, who was eager to learn it.

Theresa, on the other hand, had a unique approach. As they all began the routine again, Theresa couldn't resist adding her own flair. She made an effort to keep up but instead of spinning like the others, she twirled dramatically and threw her arms up high in a flourish, completely missing the beat.

"We've been there, we've done that
We see right through your funky hat"

"Mum, don't add your own moves. This isn't the eighties. This isn't 'Footgrease' music." Alex told her mother in annoyance.

Theresa sighed. "It's 'Footloose' or 'Grease', and those movies were great. Come on. Take it from the top."

"What's that? A hat?
Crazy, funky, junky hat
Overslept, hair unsightly
Trying to look like Keira Knightley..."

As Alex, Harper and Astrid sang the song, the three of them started walking down the hallway while Theresa continued dancing on her own in the loft as the teenagers left the room.

_______________
PUBLISHED: 29.11.24

A/N: Are you enjoying this book?

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