43) The Last Cupcake

There are many reasons why I like working at a cupcake shop; discounts on products, you get to eat the extra batter at the end of the day, you pretty much smell like a bakery when you get home but on the top of the list is the blowtorch.

I'm currently working on the lemon meringue cupcakes which I'm very tempted to take a bite out of. Maybe they won't notice a few cupcakes missing.

Tiffany pokes her head around the corner. "Hey Mackenzie I think you can leave early today as there isn't much left to do." My suspicions are raised when she gives me a cheeky smile, she knows something that I don't. "Also somebody out the front wants to see you."

It's probably Zoe trying to get free baked goods from me. She does this so often I'm surprised she hasn't gotten diabetes yet.

I focus back on piping out more meringue; they can wait until the end of my shift to get food. "Tell them to go away. I'm kind of busy at the moment finishing off the cupcakes"

I can hear voices in the background chatting away, I'm fairly sure I can hear my name being mentioned. This time she steps into the kitchen with her arms crossed and chin held high. There is no way I'm getting what I want.

"The cupcakes can wait. The person out the front is very persistent about you leaving and going with them, apparently it's urgent."

Setting my utensils down, I go over to the sink to wash my hands.

"If it was urgent they would have already kicked down the back door and filled the kitchen with a SWAT team," I say over my back "Or would have at least pretended to set a fire in Kmart to lure me out. Does nobody put effort into scheming and relationships anymore?"

"I think she's giving you the okay to come in," Tiffany yells.

As I dry my hands, Sam walks into the back area in awe like he's never seen a kitchen before.

"Woah it's so shiny in here," his eyes wander over the metal bench, the giant mixing machine and the extremely large oven you could probably fit a small child into. He stops when he sees the cupcakes on the bench in front of me.

"Who decided that giving you a blow torch and all these other pointy objects was a good idea? I didn't know baking was such a dangerous hobby."

I can't tell if he's being concerned or sarcastic.

I flick the switch so the small flame starts to burn and lower it down to the meringue on top of the cupcake. The white foam turns a satisfying golden caramel colour.

When I raise the torch it barely misses the tip of Sam's hair. I can imagine his hair going up in flames because of the amount of product he uses.

He takes a step back, putting space between him and the portable fire. "Please don't singe off my eyebrows, I enjoy looking like I'm human and have emotions."

"Don't worry. I'd still mildly like you if you had no eyebrows. Plus you already express your emotions through your eyes; like right now you're saying please don't kill me I want to live until dinner." I hang my apron up on the hook and make my way back to Sam who is cutting fondant with what looks like a play-doh cutter. Where did he get that from?

"Not that it's not nice to see you but what are you doing here?"

He takes a step towards me, locking his arms around my hips and pulling me closer, "We were going to go out for dinner after work. Remember?" Of course I don't remember. When I see his smile the exhaustion and stress from today quickly melts away.

I nervously laugh; I knew I had something to get ready for. This was probably it "Yeah of course. Oh look at the time, I wasn't expecting you to come this early so we'll just need to go home and grab some-"

"Clothes?" He holds a bag out to me which to my surprise holds a dress and a pair of converses. "Don't worry I went around to your house knowing you'd probably forget. Your mum grabbed these for you."

I don't recognise the dress that looks like it's worth a week's wage. I think this dress would look better in my closet rather than on me. I just naturally attract dirt. I take a closer look at the dress and realise it's the same one Zoe bought for me a couple months ago. "I don't need-" I stop midway to look down at my shirt and pants that are covered in icing and flour. Maybe I will need that dress after all.

Sam pushes me towards the exit "Come on she said you can leave now." Somebodies in a rush to leave.

"Fine. Fine. Just let me get changed into something less covered in food than we can go."

When I exit the bathroom I straighten out the polka dot dress which I would say fits like a glove but I don't wear gloves so I wouldn't know. I'm thankful mum put in my white converses as I'm not in the mood to wear flats that never seem to fit.

"Look at what we've got here," Aaron blocks the walkway so I can't ignore him. "How's it going Shortcake? Miss me?" he winks.

He lowers his face down towards me but I push him away in disgust. What in the world does he think he's doing?

My eyes quickly give him a once over. Sadly he still looks handsome but I know it's just a cover for the person that lies underneath, "Sorry but I seem to of forgotten your name as you are no longer relevant in my life."

He scoffs leaning further across the wall. I silently hope he slips and falls on his face "Please, you could never forget my name I'm your first love remember?"

"Correction. You were. Now I've moved on and realised there are people out there that I actually care about more. And they like me for exactly who I am. I never had to go anywhere to find them either as they've been with me the entire time," I say proudly.

Aaron wipes away a fake tear "Aw isn't that a sickly sweet sob story that just wants to make you puke rainbows," I'll make him cry rainbows in a minute if he doesn't move.

Just as I'm about to push away I hear my name being called.

"Hey, Macey. You okay? You didn't fall in the toilet did you?" Sam comes from around the corner and stops when he sees Aaron in front of me.

Something ignites in his eyes that make me want to go back into the bathroom and hide. He does not look happy. He looks like he's about to take down Aaron. I should get my phone out just in case somebody gets hurt.

He approaches us slowly like a lion and its prey, "Aaron what are you doing here?"

"Just checking what's available on the menu," My skin crawls as I feel his gaze linger over me.

Sam takes a step forward so he is in Aaron's face "Back off man. That's my girlfriend you're talking about," Sam shoves him to the side slightly so he can wrap his arm around my waist protectively. Now that he is here I don't feel like I want to punch Aaron as much. I should keep Sam around more often as it will benefit other people.

"Possessive much?"

It takes a moment for me to realise what the guy who is currently holding onto my waist and defending my honour just said. Did he just say, girlfriend? As in attachment to said person? Relationship? Sharing food without permission? Companion? A girl that is more than a friend? We haven't talked about this yet. Oh, my. What do I do?

BREATHE MACKENZIE! BREATHE!

You've gotten this far already without fainting or making a complete fool out of yourself. You can go a little longer.

I squeeze his side tightly to communicate my fondness of him and that I haven't blanked out just yet.

That's what couples do, right? Communicate?

Aaron looks between the two of us with an amused expression "Oh now I get it, the two losers are now together. Isn't that cute? It's funny I thought you would have had higher standards than this Sam," he looks me up and down "guess you decided to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get this one here."

I can feel Sam starting to twitch beside me. I know that look. It's fury. You really don't want to mess with him when he is like this. Being the sane and calm person for once, I place a hand on his chest, giving him a reassuring smile that tells him I got this.

"You know what Aaron. I hope that you find somebody one day that makes you happy and will love every part of you. I want you to know what real love feels like and to know that it isn't something you want to play with or let go of. You deserved to be loved as much as any other person."

"You're so dumb and naïve to think that love exists and even then, that somebody would like someone fat, stupid, we-

In a blink, Aaron is pushed up against the wall with Sam holding him by the throat. He lets out a deranged cackle that is partly cut off possibly because he cannot breathe.

"I dare you to say one more word," he seethes. His eyes have turned black from his pupils dilating. I get a nauseous feeling in my stomach as I watch everything unfold in slow motion.

Sam raises a fist in the air ready to swing but I stop him. Slowly I cover my hand over his fist and lower it back down. Taking his head in my hands I bring him down to look him in the eyes. I can't stand seeing him like this. I don't want him to get hurt.

In a soft and hopefully calming voice, I whisper "He's not worth it."

"But he-"

"His opinion means nothing to me. The person I care about more is the person I'm staring at right now. He's not worth it."

He blinks thrice before slowly nodding and taking my hand in his own.

My attention drifts back to Aaron who is catching his breath.

"Come on. I'm hungry," I tug on his arm as we turn to leave.

Aaron laughs "You're so weak and pathetic for taking my scraps. You are worthless nothing Sam. so go crawling back to your little-"

Something happens before he can finish his sentence. I see red. It might have been the red food colouring I was using today or the pure rage I felt on Sam's behalf.

"Nobody talks about my boyfriend like that," and before I can think about what I am doing I kick him well... in a place that makes guys buckle over and cry.

I refrain from saying 'feel the period pain' as it is not the right time or moment.

Sam stares at me wide-eyed, I guess he wasn't expecting me to do that either, "I'm fairly sure you're that one that told me never to resolve things in violence."

I shrug "This is completely different circumstances," he raises his eyebrow "What can I say? He just happened to run into my foot, he needs to learn to be more careful."

Sam just shakes his head in response "Let's go cupcake."

"Cupcake?" I can't help but smile at my new nickname (anything is better than mac and cheese.)

We open the door and leave the cafe "Yeah I think it suits you. You're sweet, surprising and too much of you can kill someone."

"That's only if you eat me silly" I slap him playfully on the arm. "Wait is this your way of telling me you're a cannibal?"

The look that Sam gives me is one that I have gotten used to the past week. It's the one that says 'this is ridiculous, no more talking.' I nod and do as I'm told.

It dawns on me after two blocks that we are still walking. I don't want to make a comment about him losing his car so I move onto a different subject, "I bet you were secretly hoping that I'd forget about dinner so you could swoop in and be the hero that we both know you're not."

His side of his lip tugs up slightly confirming my suspicions "Maybe."

"So where are we off to? I'm not wearing a nice dress like this for no reason."

"Well I was thinking that we could maybe go on a date," He says not so subtly.

A date?

I stop, "Is this your magnificent way of wooing me and asking me out."

"Is it working?" He asks hopefully.

"No."

"Then not even close. I'll knock your socks and shoes off. Then you'll be begging me to be your one and only."

"You're in a good mood for someone that just got rejected."

"What can I say? The prize at the end of the road is worth it," he winks.

"Anyway" He tugs on my hand to keep me moving "The plan was to go see a movie in the park and have a picnic for dinner."

"Food and an excuse not to talk for two hours. You truly know how to spoil a girl."

I also want to say that it sounds utterly perfect and romantic but I don't want to feed his ego.

I see some clouds overhead that don't look promising, "I hope you bought an umbrella."

We reach his car and he pulls out an umbrella from the boot "Always."

***

When we reach the park it's already partly filled up. We're lucky to get a spot elevated at the top of a small hill.

Sam lays a blanket down on the grass so we can both sit down without getting wet.

I almost laugh when he brings over cushions and more blankets. It probably looks like we're having a sleepover.

"I hope we don't get anybody tall sitting in front of us; I don't want to be craning my head all night to see the screen." I scan around to see if any giraffes are coming our way.

Sam wraps a blanket around me before sitting down "Don't worry I brought popcorn if you want to throw it at people. If not there is always the umbrella."

I almost swoon when I see him taking out containers of Chinese food from his bag.

This guy is prepared for everything.

We settle down and get comfortable with the food splayed in front of us.

That's when we hear a commotion behind us.

"But we can't see the whole screen from here. Can't we go and sit in the tree?"

Sam and I simultaneously sink deeper down into our pillows and blankets. Hoping to blend in with the shadows.

Sadly five pairs of footsteps walk in our direction.

"Sam? Mackenzie? Fancy seeing you here!" Lee says settling himself down between us both.

There goes our peace and quiet.

I bury my head in a pillow trying to hide my embarrassment.

Why? I cry internally.

"Why are you guys here? Together might I add?" Zoe stares down at us with a smirk across her face.

There goes waiting until school starts to tell them about us.

Sam looks at me and shrugs which can only mean 'why not? They'll find out eventually'

"Well, you see, Sam and I happen to be together," I say slowly.

"Yes we can see that," PJ says.

"And by together I mean-"

"Here as friends" Joel adds on with a sneaky grin.

Oh they all know what's going on. They just want to be annoying about it.

"More than friends actually," I put my hand in Sam's and squeeze it.

"Like best friends?" Charlie questions.

I hate them all.

I take Sam's face in between my hands and press my lips hard against his. I turn back to see all my friends mouths agape. "We're dating if you really must know." I vent as calmly as possible.

Sam's eyes glimmer with humour "So we are dating?" He asks with a cheesy smile.

"Shut your mouths and watch the movie," Making myself comfortable, I take a container of Mongolian lamb and start eating while everybody else watches.

"So, are we going to talk about how three of you have kissed Mackenzie without warning? " Zoe asks as the preview ads start to play.

Instinctively I throw a pillow at her head and quickly hide my face in the crook of Sam's arm, "There was only one kiss that mattered." I feel a light kiss on my head before a blanket is thrown over us.

This is how we end up with five third wheels on our first date.

***

The speaker is blaring intense guitar solos as Sam continues his workout routine.

So far he has done the treadmill, weights, push-ups and now he is onto sit-ups.

I did try to run on the treadmill but within the first 20 seconds, I knew exercise wasn't for me.

It's the thought that counts right?

Sam finishes his third set when he stops to observe me laying on the bench, "Are you actually going to do anything or are you just going to sit and watch all day?" He combs a hand through his hair which stays slicked back from sweat.

I adjust myself so I can get a better view of him "I'm more of a moral support type of person you know. I believe in you. Keep going. You're doing great. All that jazz," I shrug taking a sip from his water bottle he's currently eyeing.

He sets himself up against the wall. "Well I think you should come over here and try some physical moral support. I thought we were going to do this together."

"I'm good here." I let my eyes linger at his shirtless chest "the view is pretty great from where I am." I enjoy admiring God's creation.

He smirks, "Just great?"

I shrug "Mm I guess I could be convicted a bit more."

"Oh really," his smirk sends a zoo off in my stomach.

"Yepp."

He gets up slowly and makes his way towards me with a sly grin on his face.

This guy is up to no good.

He stops right above me and stares down. His head blocks the light so all I can see is him.

"You're not going to move anytime soon are you?"

"Nope."

"Then I guess I'll just have to convince you" His face slowly descends so our noses are barely touching.

"Hi," I feel so stupid and giddy when I say this but that's the effect he has on me.

I still don't understand why he puts up with all my nonsense.

He lowers his lips down to mine but something stops us.

A doorbell.

"We can pretend they're not there," I suggest not wanting to leave our little happy bubble.

The bell is rung another seven times.

I'm going to kill Lee.

Sam sighs and pulls back, "If I don't open the door Lee will try to break into the house again."

I laugh.

"Oh, I'm not joking. Last time he tried to scale the house, he broke a window and an arm. Unlike you, he is more prone to injure other people rather than himself. I'm slightly worried about him," Sam shakes his head at the thought of his friend.

"Let's go let them in," Sam groans he attempts to heave me off the bench "I'm not the one who invited everyone around for a barbecue. That was all you "

"I'm thought it would be a good idea to have our friends around before we go back to school. Now I'm regretting it."

"Don't worry we'll have plenty of time to work out tonight. I may even do half a push-up," I say pulling him towards the entrance.

Everybody makes their way outside to the outdoor living room that I didn't know existed until today. This house is like Hogwarts. A new room to find every day.

Everyone is smart enough to bring food to share.

I commend Charlie for taking some cupcakes from work and bringing them here.

Before we can all find somewhere to sit Lee starts to run around the kitchen like a hyperactive dog saying "Guess what. Guess what. Guess what!"

We all collectively yell "WHAT?"

"Mackenzie wasn't the one who set off the fire alarm, it was some 13-year-olds spraying deodorant into the fire alarm to see how much would set it off. They confessed after the alarm was found damaged."

"So the alarm going off was never my fault?" I ask slowly trying to process his words.

Lee gives me a 100-watt grin "Yep, you're in the clear. Congratulations, you're no longer an arsonist." 

As I put my head in hands as tears start to stream down my cheeks and I start to laugh hysterically. One by one I'm surrounded by everyone in a group hug, I'm not sure who needs it more, me or them. Laughter fills the kitchen as we all recall the past months and how an alarm and a cupcake brought us all together, to this moment, to right now.

When we finally find our way around the outdoor table eating and talking I realise how lucky I am to have such great friends. They have stuck with me throughout this entire crazy season.

I love every single one of them. 

I couldn't have done it without them.

So I guess the real theory to life is that nothing is impossible if you surround yourself with good friends and good food.

"Hey," Sam nudges me on the shoulder "You want the last cupcake?"

I smile brightly "I'd rather share it with you."

Cupcake Theory #43
Cupcakes can lead to a whole world of trouble and moments you would never imagine possible. But it's all worth it in the end when you get to share it with somebody else.

The End of one of many chapters in a life that is full of wonder

:):):)

*Tries to hold back the tears by stuffing face in pillow*

I hate to say it but this is the end of The Cupcake Theory 

I can't believe we got this far

I couldn't have gotten this far without you

BUT the good news is I have a new book out called Polaroids of Us which is based around Corey and James so feel free to go check it out

AND THERE IS A SEQUEL! ! It is called The Cookie Concept and it has twice the amount of  love and food!!

If you enjoyed this book as much as I loved writing it feeling free to rate  or add a review on Goodreads (I know, fancy right?)

3 awesome things that happened this week

-I got to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a long time

-I finished the first chapter of Polaroids of us and started The Cookie Concept!

-I finished the last chapter of The Cupcake Theory

-I made some REALLY good fudge

Lots of Happy, Sad and cupcake filled love

Theforgottonone