"Where are we going?", I ask as we all pile up in the car. No one answers my question as we drive out of the driveway. Minutes pass, with no one uttering a single word. I look out the window trying to recognise the surroundings but realise we were on an interstate.

"Are we going to visit someone? On a family trip?", I ask again, popping my head between the two front seats.

"Be patient. I think, they turned you into some kind of spoiled brat.", Mom jokes and Dad just smiles. After what felt like several hours, I see a neon signboard and immediately recognise the place. I jump up with excitement.

It has been so long! I almost forgot about the existence of this place.

Dad doesn't even bring the car to a proper halt, when I jump out and head straight in. Opening the wooden door, I sniff the greasy smell of the best burger place you can ever go to. KRUSTY SHACK!!

I was ten, when we first came across this place. We were returning from Granddad's house and I was crying because they didn't let me have hamburger at the grill. Giving up against my tantrums, Dad stopped at the first burger place he saw on the interstate. And that was the day, this place became our go-to place.

I sit at the corner most booth and place orders for all three of us by the time Mom and Dad come in. Seeing the goofy smile plastered on my face, Dad ruffles my hair and laughs.

"Look at our goofball.", Dad laughs and Mom joins him. Within a few minutes our orders were placed on our tables and without wasting a second, I dig into it. I let out a satisfied moan as the cheesy goodness of the burger fills my mouth.

"Besh buger eberrr!!", I exclaim with my mouth full. Not paying heed to my awards and appreciation showered upon the burger, Mom and Dad continue to eat their meals.

"Sophie?", a female voice calls me. I turn around to see an old women in her mid-fifties smiling at me. It takes me a short span of time to register the face, and when it does the confusion on my face gets replaced by a big smile.

"Mrs. Rosa!", I jump from my seat to greet her.

"You've grown so much from the last time I saw you!", she hugs me and plants a kiss on my forehead.

"It's hasn't been that long!", I giggle breaking the hug. Mrs. Rosa is the owner of the Krusty Shack. She and her husband built this place almost 40 years back. It was the best burger place in town then, and still is.

Her son, was an owner of a construction company along with a friend, but the friend cheated in business and threw him out. Embarrassed by the fall from the ninth cloud, he disappeared and hasn't been home for the past 20 years. No one knows where he is or what he is doing. He is probably alive because Mrs. Rosa received a letter two years hearing from him.

"So sweetie, where have you been all this while, huh?", she ushers me to a table and orders the waiter to get some fries and soft drinks for both of us. For the next half an hour or so, we make some small talks about school and the shack.

"So? Have you heard from your son?", I ask, propping my elbows on the table. She subtly shakes her head.

"I did write to him about how his father's health is getting better now.....but......I got no reply.........not yet.", her gaze falls to the table but I could clearly see the hurt in her eyes. She misses him, and why shouldn't she? I just wish I could help her in some way. I sigh and cover her wrinkly hands with mine.

"He'll come home when he is ready.", I put on the most reassuring smile possible. She smiles a little and nods. Mom and Dad were done with there meals too so we pay and get back into the car.

"Now ice cream?", I make a puppy dog face.

"Where?", Dad asks rolling his eyes.

"The park!!", I squeal and sit back on the seat, continue to watch out the window.

**********************************************

I sit at the park bench, licking my ice-cream when I hear a familiar sound of engine. I get up and make my way towards the entrance of the park and I was correct.

Ian gets off his bike and removes his helmet before looking over at me and smiling.

"I knew I'd find you here. First night home, Krusty Shack then ice-cream and walk. I was planning to take you there but thought better off of it.", he says walking towards me and wraps an arm around my shoulder while the other wiggle into his pocket. I smile and take another lick off my ice-cream. Ian bumps his head into mine to switch my attention towards him. When I turn my head towards him, he just sticks his tongue out. I make a disgusted face but he gestures towards the ice-cream. I hide my ice-cream from his sight and stick my tongue out instead.

"Buy your own. I ain't doing no sharing.", I sass. He makes a pouty smile and I was to give away but then the smirk comes back up and I knew he was going to snatch it from me.

So, before he could make a move, I did. I duck from underneath his arm and run for the jungle gym. Holding the ice-cream in one and climbing with other I finally do make to the top, with a lot of struggle. I sit on one bar and eat my ice-cream in peace. Halfway through it a hand advances from my shoulder grabbing the ice-cream from my hand.

"HEY!", I turn around to see Ian take a good bite from it. Yes, he bit the ice-cream. How even!?

"I asked for one bite but you ran away, so this is mine.", he jumps off the jungle gym. I don't run after him. I knew it would be a waste of energy so I just sit there when my phone rings.

"Yes Mom.", I answer it.

"Dad and I are heading back home. Are you okay coming back with Ian?", she questions.

"Yup.", I reply.

"Be back by 11. Love you.", she disconnects the call and I decide to climb down the jungle gym to find the thief. I find him sitting on the bench, his mouth covered in ice-cream. I laugh as I approach him and take out my hanky to wipe his face. He complies happily and when I am done he offers me the end of the ice-cream.

"I know you love 'em", I take it from him and pop it into my mouth letting the chocolatey goodness fill my mouth.

"I saw your parents leaving.", he states. I nod, folding my hanky to tuck back into my pocket. "Up for a ride around the city?"

I didn't have to say anything as the look on my face bore the answer. We exit the park and wear our helmets before flying into the night air.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

A/N:

Listen to the song above!!!!!!!!!!

Don't be shy lemme know what you think of the book so far and if like it then hit that start till it turns orange!

I LOB EWWW ALL!!!

Until next time

Peace out~

Laxi