Page 89 of Cloud Storm

“We improved the beer and peanuts cupcake, using real beer this time and we enhanced the cotton candy and the caramel popcorn cupcake as well. I hope you enjoy them.”

“Markus…” He starts with his explanation and all I can hear is noise. Womp, womp, womp. Something from Charlie Brown.

“Ok, bakers, the judges need a few minutes to take a closer look at your displays. We’ll see you in a while.”

A woman dressed in black guides us to a rectangular room in the back of the stage where we can’t hear a single thing. Katie is sitting on one of the couches and I’m walking around the room, incapable of standing still.

The wait is driving me crazy. Patience has never been a friend of mine.

I know I delivered what I wanted to, I should feel good about it. But I can’t. I just can’t.

Markus’s display is fun and very San Diego. I feel like I’m being bowled.

It feels like hours have passed when they make us come back to the stage.

“Bakers, you were called to be the best in town. The judges were impressed by your delicious cupcakes as well as your presentations. You both were consistent today, but only one of you hit a home run.”

The moment of the truth is coming fast.

“Markus, you created a display that represents the World Series. However, the judges weren’t impressed by the improvements you made on your cupcakes. Ariel, you brought the stadium to life, but only one of you gave the plus this contest requires to win.”

The man is talking so slowly. Why can’t he speed it up a little and end this torture?

“Congratulations…” Well finally, the music sounds, a drum dribbling. “The winner of this competition is the baker of… The Sweet Tooth, Ariel Wilkinson you’re Cupcakes’ Battle winner.”

I hear the explosion and see the thousand confetti pieces floating around me. I feel Katie and all the assistants hugging me, the carpenter clapping me on the shoulder. I can hear hundreds of people calling my name. But I can’t move. Am I breathing?

Am I dreaming?

This is really happening?

Oh gosh, this is really happening. I want to run and hug Mr. Hatz for believing in me and giving me a home. I want to hug Roselynn for making this project a reality. And I want to hug him for being here, because even without knowing it, he brought the brighter side of me alive.

And I want to hug my brothers. They gave me freedom and the chance to live my life under my own rules.

Oh my God, this is real!

I’m the winner!

We won!!!!

We won!!!!

I do a funny dance with Katie, hugging her again. This is incredible.

“Well done, kiddo.” Markus comes to give me a bear hug. “You kicked me right in the ass.”

I can’t be a cruel winner, so I hug him back, congratulating him for being a fierce competitor. We did a good job today, but also all my lucky stars were aligned and shining for me.

“Can my business partner come to the stage?” I ask a production assistant.

“Not yet,” he says, pinning me with a severe stare. “You need to stay right here in order for us to film extra recordings and then you can celebrate with whoever you want.”

Dang, this television thing is way too serious for me.

So I wait, standing alone in the middle of the stage.

And my eyes focus on him for the first time, only on him, remembering his words. He said he will be here with a huge balloon bouquet.

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