The Diary of a Crazy Teenager

"Alice, what in Heaven are you up to?"

Alice shut her diary and, frowned at the interruption which stopped her flow of thought. "I was minding my business, quite perfectly, up until you spoke."

She picked up her pen to continue writing but all inspiration that she had, stopped flowing, she was completely dried out.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready to leave for your part time job?" Veronica asked as she watched her friend get lost in thought. "Isn't this like the third job you've had this past month?"

"Second." Alice snapped, slightly offended at the change in figure.

Veronica scoffed and, held back the harsh words building up at the back of her throat.

"It is a slight and insignificant altercation in the number but either ways, if you can't handle such job, then quit."

Alice, ran her hand through her hair and wondered if she had made the right decision to visit Ronnie.

"I can't quit, I need the money urgently." Putting emphasis on the urgently.

Alice, was grateful that she had managed to get a job that allowed her to work only during the weekends so she could balance both school and other activities. It wasn't the best paying job, most especially wasn't the most fun but it was better than nothing.

Alice stood up and, picked up her bag that was on Ronnie's bed.

"Well, duty calls Princess."

"It's about time you left but, bring back popcorn once you're off duty." Veronica said, as she fondled with her phone.

Alice, stepped in front of a full mirror and looks briefly at her reflection She wore a plaid red top with a cute bow just at the back, paired with stoned, dark shots. Her platforms, were the highlight of her outfit as it raised her height and, made her look fierce.

"Ronnie, should I put my hair in a bun?"

Ronnie, looked up briefly to inspect Alice before she shook her head in disagreement. "Don't, I think it'll spoil the aesthetic of today. Try a pony tail instead."

"Wise words from the best." Alice said, as she got busy trying to fix her hair.

"Ali, I get the fact that you always have to look good but I don't get why it is an essential factor in your job and you could get fired for that? You basically just make popcorn for an amusement park that no one visits." Ronnie scoffed in utter disbelief.

"It's cotton candy."

"What? Wasn't it popcorn last week? I could have sworn that it was."

"Silly, I was in charge of making popcorn until the cotton candy guy quit."

"So this is an upgrade?"

Alice shrugged, choosing to ignore her sarcastic taunts.

"Call it whatever but, I get paid everytime just to look cute and do nothing. Who wouldn't be happy?" Alice waved at her as she made her way to the door. "Well I'll be off now, wish me luck!"

"Good luck baby, you'll need it."

***

Alice sighed for the millionth time, as she bit her fingernails trying to distract herself from the fact that she was beyond bored.

Was this job always boring?

"I should be grateful that there are barely any customers." Alice muttered as she looked at the cotton candy machine that had only been turned on once since she has started her shift, and that was when she had decided to treat herself.

The park was deserted as it always was. For some reason, people rarely came, and it wasn't as though she blamed them. She didn't even know this place existed until someone told her.

On her first day on the job, she had thought of leaving instead of staying in a probably haunted place but when she was told that she barely had to work and just to show up on time for her shifts she couldn't resist the offer.

Like who would turn down such a golden opportunity?

"I would like a pink and blue colored cotton candy."

Alice looked up to see who had spoken and when she's saw an olive skinned boy with brown hair, she's smiled brightly.

"Hi, Noah." She said, while standing up to process his order.

Asides from stealing cotton candy during work hours, Noah was the only customer that came around. Since she had started 2 weeks ago, he frequented the park whenever she happened to be around.

What is coincidence, or something else?

Alice, shook her head. That was beyond ridiculous, there was no way he was interested in her. He probably just really liked cotton candy.

"I see that you are as busy as ever." He smirked, with amusement laced in his tone.

Alice rolled her eyes, and bent over to turn on the machine. "Of course I'll be busy after all, it's not easy to be a working class citizen." She raised her head with an air of authority, while looking at him with feigned arrogance.

Noah laughed, causing Alice to break out of character.

"You're still as cheeky as ever." Noah commented, after the laughter have subsided.

"Cheeky? Who still uses that word? One would think you're an aristocrat."

Noah, smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Me? Absolutely not."

"I know. There's no way we would be friends if you were." Alice picked up the bag of cotton candy sugar and scooped some.

"Why won't we be? Do you have something against the rich?"

Alice tilted her head and, shrugged her shoulders as though she were indifferent. "Let's just say I have sentiments."

Noah, placed his hands in his pocket and watched her as she picked up the stick and began to twirl it. "In what sense?"

"Well I'm not being bias, but I knew someone that was from the upper class family and, let's just say it didn't end up well."

"Why?" He questioned , his eyes, following her movement.

Alice, stretched out the ready-made cotton candy to him. "They are just like cotton candy nice to taste but too much of it is bad for the body."

Noah took the cotton candy and, frowned at her analysis. "Aren't you being judgy?"

"I'm not. Besides, I enjoy making cotton candy. I love the sound of the machine, the colorful sugar, the cotton like webs, the sticky feeling and, the sugar rush that comes after." Alice, turned off the machine.

"Call me narrow minded, Noah" She continued. "But I am merely speaking from experience."

Experience. She knew the feeling of being at the mercy of the wealthy, the feeling of being looked down on and abandoned.

She night not have the money, but she had one thing in bountiful, and that was her pride.

Alice, began to place back everything to the way it originally was, while stealing glances at him. "Well, I might as well close this stand I don't think anyone else is coming."

"Alice what if I prove to you that cotton candy isn't harmful?"

Alice frowned slightly, and she wanted to make a joke but when she realized that she was being serious she stopped.

"What are you getting at?"

"Give me a chance Alice and if I'm just like the rest, then you can conclude."

"Noah, don't get me wrong. I don't hate the rich, I want to become wealthy if not for anything."

Noah, scratched the back of his neck, wondering what to ask her. "Then what?"

"They're just snobbish and standoffish. When I become rich, I'd probably become like that. That's all."

"Well, either ways give me a chance to win you over."

Alice's eyes widened in shock at his directness. "Noah what—"

Noah, raised his hand to cut her off. "My family is having a party and I'd like you to come." He shook his head, and squeezed his hand in determination. "No, I'd love you to come."

"I'm not good with parties." Alice bit her lips, resisting the urge to laugh awkwardly. She couldn't laugh, especially when he looked so serious and determined.

"Don't worry, you'll be with me."

Alice hesitated. She was not the least bit convinced but she also wasn't fully adverse to the thought.

"And what will I be doing there?" She asked.

"What a silly question Alice, you'll be my date."

***

"Mom, I feel absolutely ridiculous." Alice muttered as she tugged on the hem of the dress she had on.

"No sweetheart, you look stunning." Mrs Anderson responded as she guided her daughter, in front of the full length mirror. "Look at how stunning you are."

Alice, peered at herself in the mirror and was taken aback at the image she saw.

Gone was her favorite rabbit onesie. Instead, she was clad in a sleeveless-short-velvet dress, which was paired with a dark bowknot heels. Her curls, was placed in an updo, with some framing her face.

What made Alice most excited wasn't the stones on her dress or the frills at the back of it. Neither was it because of the pearls that was adorned on her hair. It was the simple but classy makeup on her face, which brought out her hazel eyes.

"Mom, I look beautiful." Alice said with a breathy voice, causing her mother to smile.

"Of course you do, my offspring has to surely look good."

"I hate to correct you wrong but I don't think you passed the genes to Alex." Alice raised her voice to be sure that he heard it across the hallway.

"You little rascal, stop looking for trouble." Mrs Anderson, picked up a black purse and handed it over to her daughter. "I'm only giving you this Channel purse because Veronica invited you to that party."

Alice, beamed before taking the purse. "Thanks mom." She said excitedly as she admired the item.

Alice, felt slightly guilty. She had told her mom that Ronnie's parents were hosting a ball and that, she she was on the VIP list. There was no way in heaven or hell that her mother, would have allowed her only daughter to go to a dinner party with the opposite gender.

Hell would freeze before then.

So, she had to lie. It wasn't as though it was a total lie. She was actually going to a dinner party, just not with whom she thought.

A little lie here and there won't hurt, right?

"Alice honey, you look amazing. I know I've said it many times today but I can't help it."

"Thank you Mama."

"I'm sure all eyes would be on you tonight."

"They had better be, I didn't spend hours going through this gruelling session just to have few heads turn." Alice traced the silver necklace and smirked. "In fact, I deserve some proposals. Don't you think, Mama?"

"Yes darling you do but, don't stretch your luck and be sure to stay out to trouble."

Would Noah, also think she was beautiful?

Alice, internally cringed at her thought process but she couldn't help but feel this way. Yes, she was confident about her looks but the last time she had been on a date was since, Eric.

Eric, why the hell was she thinking about him now?

Was this even a date or was it a friendly invite?

Alice, squeezed her arms, not desiring to have annoying thoughts. All she wanted to do today was have fun, and have free meals. She wasn't going to let anything get in her way.

Mrs Anderson sighed and placed her hands on Alice's shoulders. "Have

fun sweetie and call if you'll be staying past 10 pm. Alex will pick you up."

Alice, kissed her mother on the cheek and hurried to leave.

She was about to have the time of her life.

***