I hopped back as the cash register drawer shut on my finger.

"Fuck!"

I sucked on my finger as it slowly turned red. Just under the nail it started bleeding, and I reminded myself to make sure Cupcake didn't see it. She would go crazy. We hate each other, but after my parents died, she vowed to care for me. Sometimes she can go a little over the top, if you know what I mean.

I looked down at my phone as I got a text.

Fritz- heading 2 Pizza Hut w/ Chica and Mike. Wanna come when ur off? Xoxo

I smiled, replied a "sure", and looked around, alerting my ears. Most people, the ones who come often, know from experience not to play their music loud. But a few rebels or newbies don't exactly get the message.

Luckily today everyone got it. Well, the four or five people who were here. The Puppet Masters Cafe was small and cozy, but not exactly popular.

I groaned as I heard the door to the kitchen behind me open and close, then humming.

"Hey there, Marion!"

I forced a small half-smile.

"Hey, Cupcake."

Cupcake giggled and went to help some new customers that must have slipped my gaze. That doesn't mean I didn't recognize the voices.

"Can we get two drinks?"

"Oh, JJ! BB! You'll have to talk to Marion. I have two orders of blueberry muffins to tend to. See you later!" Cupcake squeaked and skipped off back into the kitchen, leaving me with the two little devils.

Shivers spread down my spine as JJ spoke. "Hey, Puppet. Two iced coffees, asap." I noticed they both had their "weapons". JJ's sewing needle was stuck into her ponytail, and the sun glinted off of BB's screwdriver in his pocket.

Hands shaking, I stuck them in my pockets and muttered "We don't have coffee."

"Says so on this menu, hot-shot." That was BB that time.

"Where?"

"Can't you read, Puppet? Right below the green tea."

I gulped. Never in a million years would I admit that I couldn't read.

"Whatever. Let me get them."

I quickly went into the back, and leaned against the wall, trying to control my breathing. The Offspring playing from farther into the kitchen didn't help. Damn it, Cupcake.

"Show me how to lie, I'm getting better all the time-"

"WOULD YOU TURN THAT SHIT OFF?!" I yell. It cut off instantly. I felt bad, but after two years Cupcake should know better,

I went to the fridge, happy that she premade some drinks, since all I could make was measly herbal tea. I grabbed two cups and went back out.

"$6.89," I told the twins after handing them their drinks. JJ looked at her brother, who rolled his eyes and put seven dollars on the table.

"Keep the change, Puppet."

I sighed and put it in the cash register, careful to watch my fingers this time.

It was almost one in the afternoon when I could finally head off and meet Chica and Fritz.

"Cupcake! I'm heading out!"

"Okay! Have fun with Fritz and Chica!"

"Chica and Fritz."

Cupcake stuck her head out the kitchen door. "What?"

"Chica and Fritz. Its alphabetical order."

She rolled her eyes and went over to take out the bad muffins from the tray. "Whatever, weirdo," I heard as I went out the door.

I went inside Pizza Hut, and imidiatly saw Chica, Fritz, and Mike sitting in one of the booths. Chica and Fritz were in deep conversation about who the hell knows what, while Mike was leaning his forehead on the window, a packet in front of him.

"Forty-eight," I said as I sat down. He looked at me.

"Huh?"

"Six times eight. Its forty-eight."

"Oh! Thanks!" He wrote something down on the paper. Fritz rolled his eyes, but kept his usual smile.

Mike and I have been in the same classes since fifth grade. It's a wonder he made it past fourth. The poor kid's been held back many times, but they finally gave up and let him move on. He was still a junior in high school, even though he's 18. He studies 24/7 but never seems to get the hang of it.

Chica ordered for us, getting a cheese and a pepparoni. I'm a big eater, but a vegetarian.

We looked up as the door opened, in walking Teddy and Freddy. I huddled farther in my seat as Teddy gave me a smirk, then went off to a booth across the restaraunt. Freddy rolled his eyes and followed.

"So, Marion, how's Cupcake and the cafe?" Chica asked when we got our food.

"Her and I still treat each other like shit, but the cafe's going great."

She must have noted the sarcasm in my voice, for she narrowed her eyes. Still, she chose to ignore it and went to eat her pizza. I sighed and looked out the window.

"Um... Marion..."

Mike turned his packet around to me, his eyes wide and desperate.

"Fifty-two."

"Thanks..."

He went back to his paper, resting the side of his head on his sweatshirt sleeve. I wasn't surprised to hear soft snores a moment later. From what I've heard from Kevin, his roommate, he stays up till 1am and gets up at 5 to study.

Wanting something to, I looked over at Chica.

"Guess what?"

She sighs, obviously knowing what's happening. "What?"

"Vous regardez comme un poulet." {French}

"Huh?"

I smiled. "You look like a chicken."

"Fuck you, Puppet."

It went silent. Fritz stopped humming, and Mike looked up. I guessed he must have woken at some point. Even Teddy and Freddy stopped their conversation, looking over. Chica's eyes widened, as if she had uttered a horrid curse word. And she might as well have.

"Marion I'm sorry I-"

"No, it's fine."

I got up, and put my share of the pay on the table. "See you, guys. Cupcake needs me at the cafe," I said quickly, and left.