Cupcake Club

by Sheryl Berk

  “We take it one day at a time, one order at a time,” Kylie replied. “And we’ll save some money and get more equipment, the kind they have in real bakeries.”

  “But we’re not a real bakery,” said Jenna.

  “But maybe one day we could be!” Kylie pleaded. “We’re real bakers.”

  Lexi considered. “It would be kind of neat to have a store with a big purple awning and cupcakes and peace signs painted all over the walls.”

  “It isn’t such a crazy idea,” Kylie said. “Just look at how far we’ve come in such a short time. Only a few months ago we couldn’t even mix up a batch of muffins. And now everyone wants to hire us to bake them cupcakes.”

  “My mom said I have to pass all my tests,” said Sadie. “I can’t fall behind. If I do, I have to quit the club and the basketball team.”

  “We’ll help you,” promised Kylie. “I’m really good at math, and Lexi is a whiz at English.”

  “And my family speaks Spanish,” said Jenna. “So I can help you with Ms. Rivero’s class.”

  “We can all help each other,” said Kylie. “We need each other. I can’t do this by myself, guys. Do you think one person could take down Godzilla? No way!”

  “I saw that movie,” said Sadie. “It took an army to wipe out that big fire-breathing dino. Not a couple of fourth-grade girls.”

  Jenna giggled. “I bet Mr. Ludwig would turn into Godzilla if we told him no more cupcakes for the Golden Spoon.”

  Kylie tried again. “All in favor?”

  Jenna’s hand shot up, then Lexi’s, and finally Sadie wiggled her fingers in the air.

  “It’s unanimous!” Kylie grinned. “Peace, Love, and Cupcakes is still in business!”

  • • •

  To keep up with all the demand, Juliette suggested the girls meet frequently to brainstorm flavors—especially around the holidays when everyone wanted festive cupcakes. If they planned a few months in advance, they wouldn’t be crunched.

  “I had this great idea for an Easter flavor,” said Jenna. “I call it the Rascally Rabbit!”

  Kylie looked confused. “You want to make a Bugs Bunny cupcake?”

  “No, an orange carrot cupcake with jelly beans hidden inside. I thought it would be great for Easter.”

  “Maybe we should call it the 14 Carrot Cupcake and put fourteen carrots in the batter,” suggested Sadie.

  “We could even top it with edible gold,” said Lexi.

  “That’s so cool!” exclaimed Kylie.

  Jenna shot them all a look. “Well, my cupcake name is more fun.”

  “What else do you think of when you think of Easter?” asked Juliette.

  “Chocolate bunnies,” said Lexi. “We could do a chocolate cupcake filled with Marshmallow Fluff and topped with a mini chocolate bunny. Maybe call it Somebunny Loves You?”

  “Cute!” said Kylie. “And how about doing something with Peeps—you know those cute little marshmallow bunnies and chicks?”

  “We could call the cupcake the Peepin’ Tom,” teased Jenna. “Or the V.I. Peeps! Can I come up with ’em, or can I come up with ’em?”

  “I think everyone has some great ideas,” said Juliette. “You should figure out a few new flavors every month. Keep things fresh and exciting. Then try them out and perfect them so you’re set to go.”

  Kylie carefully jotted down every cupcake suggestion in her club notebook. She flipped through the pages—she had filled up almost half the book with notes and sketches.

  “We’ve really created some amazing cupcakes,” she said. “Remember the Potter PBJ Cupcake we came up with for that Harry Potter–themed Sweet Sixteen?”

  “I made all those yellow fondant lightning bolts,” said Lexi. “That was really cool.”

  “What about the baby shower we did for my cousin Brooke?” asked Sadie. “With those cute little rubber duckies on top? And the blue buttercream frosting?”

  “My hands hurt from piping all of those—but they were delicious,” sighed Jenna. “French vanilla cake. Yum.”

  “It’s really amazing if you think about it,” said Juliette. “You guys started out as a school baking club, and you’ve created a booming business. Just the four of you! You should really be proud of yourselves.”

  Kylie was proud of PLC—especially of the fact that each of the girls seemed to be growing along with the business. Sadie no longer was embarrassed if she needed extra time or help reading a recipe, and Lexi wasn’t afraid anymore to speak up and give her opinions. Then there was Jenna, who had the biggest heart under that tough-girl act and was finally starting to let it show.

  When Lexi burst into tears over a fondant rose she couldn’t quite get right, Jenna put an arm around her shoulder. “It’s way better than any of us could ever do,” she told Lexi. “I think it’s beautiful—or as my mother would say, ‘Que bonita!’” Jenna’s imitation of her mom made Lexi laugh—and she went back to work creating perfect pink roses for a tea-party order.

  As for Kylie, she was so busy with PLC that she barely had time to worry about Meredith. When Meredith whispered to Emily in class, “Ewww…what is the Freak wearing today?” Kylie turned around and stared at her stone-faced and unblinking, just as Jenna had taught her. Meredith froze. She actually looked shocked! Take that! Kylie thought.

  But Meredith wasn’t the slightest bit scared off—she was just plotting her next move. Two days later, Ms. Shottlan announced that the class would be doing “Secret Santa” gifts for the holidays. No one knew who his or her Secret Santa was. That is, until Meredith chose a name out of the hat and blurted it out.

  “OMG! I got Kylie Carson! I will give someone a hundred Silly Bandz if they will trade with me!” she shrieked.

  Kylie was humiliated. She closed her eyes, wishing she could just disappear, like the Invisible Man in one of her favorite monster flicks.

  “I’ll take Kylie,” a voice said. Kylie opened one eye. It was Jack, the farmer who had dropped her in the dirt in the Wellness Day play. And now he wanted to be her Secret Santa! Kylie blushed.

  “I mean, she bakes those awesome cupcakes—and maybe she’ll make me some if I’m her Secret Santa. I’ll trade you, Meredith! And I’ll throw in three baseball cards.”

  “No, I want Kylie!” said Emily. “I’ll give you a blueberry Smencil!”

  “No fair, I had my hand up first,” said Bella. But all she had to offer was a chewed piece of bubble gum.

  Kylie was stunned. Speechless. But not as stunned as Meredith. She flung the slip of paper with Kylie’s name on the floor, and Emily, Jack, and Bella all scrambled to retrieve it. Meredith stormed out of the classroom.

  Amazingly, cupcakes had done just what Juliette said: they’d made people like Kylie. And for once, they’d put Meredith Mitchell in her place.

  The winter dance was always the highlight of fourth grade. The entire gym was transformed into a magical winter wonderland, decorated with twinkly lights, fake snow, and giant snowflakes. This year Kylie had volunteered Peace, Love, and Cupcakes to make one hundred snowman cupcakes.

  On top of the white-chocolate buttercream frosting, Lexi had used fondant to create the snowman’s “coal” eyes and “carrot” nose, and wrapped each cupcake in a red licorice scarf. They had so much fun baking them. As they piped the frosting, they sang, “Deck the school with tons of cupcakes!”

  It was also the first time that the girls had hung out outside the kitchen or the school. Kylie had suggested that they go Christmas shopping together to get a present for Juliette, and Kylie’s mom was happy to drive the girls to the mall.

  “What should we get her?” Sadie asked, looking in the drama section of the bookstore. “Maybe a Shakespeare play? Or how about a book about Canada, where she’s from?”

  “I think we should get her something from a cooking store,�
�� said Jenna. “After all, she’s our baking adviser. Like a cool whisk or rolling pin or something.”

  Kylie thought the gift should be edible. “What about some yummy champagne chocolate truffles—or maple syrup?” she suggested.

  But Lexi spotted the perfect gift in the window of a Christmas shop. It was a cupcake ornament made of swirls of different colored glass. It was hand blown and, like a prism, cast a rainbow whenever it caught the light. Even more important, it was one of a kind, just like each girl in PLC.

  “Bingo!” said Kylie, gazing in the window. “That’s really special and beautiful. And Juliette can hang it on her Christmas tree and think of us.”

  • • •

  They gave the ornament to Juliette on the night of the dance with a poem that Kylie had written:

  Yummy cupcakes are what we make,

  Thanks to you, who taught us to bake.

  Now we’re a team and good friends too.

  Juliette, we’re so lucky to have you!

  As Juliette read the poem, her eyes filled with tears. Kylie was shocked. Her teacher didn’t seem the crying type. Kylie hoped the ornament was okay…maybe Juliette had one already? Maybe she didn’t like celebrating Christmas or have a tree?

  “Um, we hope you like it,” Kylie said softly.

  “I love it,” Juliette replied. “This was so thoughtful, girls. It’s lovely. This year I was new at Blakely, just like you once were, Kylie. I wasn’t sure if people would like me. But this club and all of you made me feel very appreciated.” They all hugged before making their way in to the party.

  Everyone was swarming around the dessert table and PLC’s scrumptious cupcakes.

  “Delicious, ladies,” said Ms. Shottlan. “I especially love the chocolate that oozes out when you take a bite.”

  “That was my idea,” bragged Jenna. “I call it the Chocolate Avalanche.”

  “Well, it’s yummy,” Ms. Bayder broke in. “And very artistic.”

  “Thanks,” Lexi said. That was the first time she had accepted a compliment—and the credit—for something she had done. She hadn’t even blushed. Kylie was proud of her.

  It was Kylie’s first time for something as well. She had never attended a school dance before—and she was having a blast. She’d even bought a new outfit for the occasion: a cherry red sweater with white snowflakes and a black ruffled skirt.

  “You look nice,” said Emily. “I think you guys are such good bakers that you should be on the Martha Stewart Show or something.”

  “We’re so busy that we wouldn’t have time!” replied Kylie. “But thanks.”

  “I bet you’re making lots and lots of money,” said Jeremy. “Maybe you need an accountant—I’m available, you know. I got a 99 on the last math test.”

  “We’re doing just fine, but thanks for the offer,” Kylie said, chuckling. “My dad’s an accountant. And, no, we’re not rich. Ingredients, mixers, and pans are really expensive.”

  Everyone, it seemed, wanted to talk to the girls about cupcakes.

  “I feel like an MVP,” said Sadie. “Jack Yu offered to do my homework for two nights if I’d give his mom the recipe for our Chocolate Avalanche filling!”

  Jenna shook her head. “That’s my secret, and I will never tell,” she said. “Not even if you torture me.”

  They were all dancing to “Jingle Bell Rock” when Meredith seized the microphone to make an announcement.

  “Can I have your attention, please?” she called.

  “Oh, look—it’s the Ice Queen,” whispered Jenna. Kylie thought Meredith certainly did look the part. Her entire dress was covered in long, dangling crystals that sparkled like icicles under the gym’s lights.

  “As president of the student council, I just want to give a shout-out to all the kids who helped with the dance this year: Emily for helping me make and hang the decorations, Abby and Bella for putting up all the posters…”

  Kylie waited patiently for Meredith to say thanks to Peace, Love, and Cupcakes. After all, they had made all these cupcakes for free, and they were the hit of the party.

  “Oh, yes, and a special shout-out to Kylie Carson. This one’s for you!” She cued the DJ, who began playing “The Monster Mash” over the loudspeakers.

  The gym erupted in laughter. “She did not just do that!” Sadie sighed.

  “Oh yes, she did,” said Kylie, who tried her hardest to smile and pretend it didn’t bother her while everyone pointed to her and made silly monster faces.

  As if that wasn’t enough, Meredith had another trick up her sequined sleeve.

  “Eww!” shrieked Abby, suddenly throwing one of the snowman cupcakes to the floor. “There’s a bug in this cupcake!”

  “Mine too!” screamed Bella.

  Suddenly, everyone at the dance was tossing their cupcakes in the trash.

  “Wait! Wait!” cried Kylie. “There are no bugs in these cupcakes!”

  Abby held out her hand. “Really? Then what’s this?”

  Jenna took what looked like a red spider from her palm. She sniffed and took a bite.

  “Ick! She eats bugs!” squealed Abby.

  “Pul-lease,” groaned Jenna. “This is a gummy spider. Totally edible. Cherry, I believe.”

  “Well, mine is a black beetle!” said Bella, pointing to the bug she had flung to the floor.

  Jenna inspected it. “Black licorice,” she said.

  “Someone told those two to say there were bugs in their cupcakes,” Kylie fumed. “Do you want to guess who?”

  “And now everyone is totally grossed out and won’t touch them,” said Lexi. “This is terrible.”

  “This is Meredith,” sighed Kylie.

  Just then, Meredith appeared back at the microphone.

  “Everyone, not to worry! My mom and I have baked delicious peppermint brownies for the entire party. Dig in!” Platters of fudge brownies dotted with chunks of candy cane suddenly appeared.

  Jenna took a bite. “No way she made these,” she said. “They’re way too professional. I’ll bet you Meredith bought them at the Golden Spoon.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Kylie. “Now everyone thinks she’s a great baker—and we’re losers.”

  “Wow, can you give me the recipe for these?” begged Emily. Meredith grinned. “Sure! I can even make you some and bring them to school next week.”

  “That is so nice of you!” replied Emily. “You should start a brownie business.” Meredith shot Kylie a devious look. “Who knows? Maybe I will. I could call it Peace, Love, and Brownies!”

  Kylie gasped. “Don’t, Kylie,” Jenna said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “She wants you to freak out. Don’t let her get to you.”

  Kylie felt the tears stinging in the corners of her eyes—but she didn’t cry. She didn’t tell Meredith what she really felt like screaming: “You ruin everything, and I hate your guts!” She just stood there, numb.

  “We’ll think of something,” Sadie assured her. “Don’t worry, Kylie. We won’t let her get away with this.”

  Kylie wasn’t listening. Everything was a blur of lights and voices and shiny snowflakes. “I need to get out of here,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

  She pushed past the crowd and headed for the gym door. When she glanced back, Meredith was once again the center of attention, and PLC had been quickly forgotten. Her three friends looked sad and defeated. But Kylie was too upset herself to try to raise their spirits. She couldn’t lead them at this moment. Between the Monster Mash song, the sabotaged cupcakes, and Meredith’s announcement about starting a brownie business, Kylie felt like she had been buried by an avalanche.

  Kylie just couldn’t shake the memory of the winter dance disaster. Two days later her mom noticed her moping around the house and commented, “You don’t seem like yourself
, honey.” It was Sunday taco night, and Kylie hadn’t even touched a bite of her favorite refried beans.

  “I’m fine,” she shrugged.

  “Did something happen at school?” her father asked.

  Kylie shrugged again.

  “Everything okay with your club?” her mom tried.

  Another shrug.

  Her parents looked at each other, puzzled. “We can’t help you unless you tell us what’s wrong,” said her mom.

  “I’m brilliant—but I’m not psychic,” teased her dad.

  “I have homework,” Kylie said, pushing her plate away. “May I be excused?” Her mom nodded.

  Kylie flopped on her bed and hugged her giant panda bear, Koko. Her dad had won him for her at the Jupiter Fireman’s Carnival when she was three years old, and she just couldn’t get rid of the bear, even though he had one eye and his arms and legs were all floppy and missing most of their stuffing. Koko always had a knack for making her feel better. Yet this time that didn’t seem to be working.

  Nothing Meredith had done to her in the past had been half as bad as this. Kylie could stand the name-calling and the mean pranks. But threatening to steal her club’s name and business right out from under her? That was too, too much. Meredith was hurting more than just Kylie—she was hurting Kylie’s friends and Juliette as well. That club meant everything to them, and they had all grown so much from being a part of it.

  Mostly they had grown closer together. They were a rock-solid team, there for each other when things got tough. And Kylie couldn’t stand to see Meredith destroy that! She didn’t know what to do, or if she had the strength to do it. But she had to do something. Not just for her, but for Lexi, Sadie, and Jenna. And for what PLC stood for.

  There was a knock on the door and her mom peeked into her room. “Kylie, you have company.”

  When she came out to the living room, there were Sadie, Lexi, and Jenna.

  “We thought maybe you could use some cheering up,” said Lexi, handing Kylie a wrapped box. It was if they had read her mind.