Chapter 9: The Bakery
1117 Words
Lacy's POV
My alarm goes off and I glance at the clock:
5:30am.
Perfect! Just enough time to get ready so I can make it downstairs to the bakery by six. I jump out of bed and quickly shower. The warm water feels so soothing on my skin. After I am out of the shower, I put my hair up in a tight bun and quickly brush my teeth.
Cora was more than generous to offer me a place to stay in exchange for working at her bakery. She also gave me advance on salary, so I was able to by some clothes.
I do feel badly that I lied to her and told her my parents kicked me out after I turned 18, but I can’t exactly tell her I’m a werewolf who’s being hunted. I am just thankful that she has such a kind heart...and delicious baked goods.
I walk down the stairs, spotting Cora carefully placing some blueberry muffins in the display case.
Cora is an older woman with a round, yet curvy figure and one of the kindest faces I’ve ever seen. She exudes so much happy energy and just being around her puts you in a good mood. Her baked goods could sell themselves, but her personality is icing on the cake.
“Good morning!” She sings to me. “You’re right on time!”
I smile at her. “Yes, I am! I just wanted to make sure you knew how thankful I am for what you have done for me. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found you.”
“Oh dear, don’t you worry.” She walks over and pulls me into a hug. “It has been no burden at all. And I’m so glad to have some help around here. Not many people are willing to get up this early,” she chuckles.
She releases me from the hug and pats my shoulder. “Okay. Now let’s get you started on your training! I’m going to start you up at the front this week.”
I quickly learn from Cora the ins and outs of working the cash register, and after a few days she has me posted up front taking care of customers by myself. Before I know it, it’s Friday already.
The morning goes by quickly, with customers constantly pouring in. Finally, around 10am, things start to slow down, and Cora decides to go take care of some things in the back, leaving me up front alone.
Several minutes go by without any customers, until a young woman around my age comes in.
“This all smells so amazing!” She says. “What would you recommend?” Her hair is down in loose curls and I admire the bright red streaks in her hair which perfectly complement her dark hair. Cecelia would kill me if I ever dyed my hair like that; it would affect her coat when we shifted.
“Well, the croissants are to die for!” My mouth starts watering at the thought. I glance down at the pastries, trying to convince myself I don’t need another one today. “The almond ones are my favorite.”
When I look back up, I notice that she is giving me a concerned look.
“Is everything okay?” I slowly ask her while trying to still sound cheerful.
She furrows her eyebrows at me. “I only smell bread.”
Thinking that she is making a joke, I let out a giggle. However, her confusion only deepens.
“Oh, well, it’s a bakery...” I try to explain.
“But you only smell like bread. Nothing else.” She tilts her head to the right as she squints her eyes at me. “Why are you hiding?” she whispers.
My mouth drops open. How does she know? Is she a hunter? Or maybe a wolf?
“Humph! If you didn’t make me wear this stupid ring, we would be able to scent her.” That’s the first I’ve heard from her all day. Cecelia is still pissed at me for hiding her.
“You know it’s suspicious for witches to hide their scents instead of masking it as a human scent.” She continues to whisper to me. “That’s like lesson number one. Didn’t your mom or your coven teach you that?”
“Uh...” I stammer. Before I can think of what to say, I blurt out the truth. “My mom is a werewolf, and I was never in a coven,” I whisper back.
“Oh!” she exclaims, her eyes wide. “Your dad must be a wizard then? Why didn’t he teach you?”
This time I take a moment to think before I give out too much information to this witch I just met. For all I know she could be a dark hunter. “Uhm, well he wasn’t really around.”
“I’m sorry,” her eyes soften. “Hey, if you want, I could teach you some things!”
“Wait, are you serious?” This would be the perfect way to learn to use my magic.
“Of course! I help out at the coven, teaching the little witches and wizards how to use their magic, too.” She explains. “It’s actually my job to teach them.”
“Wow, that would be amazing!” Thank Goddess she came in here today!
“You know, I don’t usually come this way, but something was pushing me to come here today! The Moon Goddess must have planned this,” she jokes.
“I bet she did.” Cecelia says to me.
“Glad to hear you speaking to me instead of pouting.” I reply.
“If she can teach us magic, we’re closer to being able to go home and you taking that stupid ring off.” She mutters.
Just then, Cora comes back out front.
“Here, let me give you my number,” the witch says while pulling out her phone.
“Oh, I don’t have a phone right now,” I say, sheepishly. That is definitely on my list of things to buy once I make enough money.
“Oh, umm... okay. What time do you get off?” She asks.
“Around 2pm.”
“If you want to talk more, meet me at Willow Park at 2:30pm. I’m Selena by the way, but my friends call me Lena.”
“Hi Lena, I’m Lacy.”
“See you then, Lacy?” She asks.
I give her a quick nod. After she leaves, I try to contain my excitement.
- Writer
