Choco’s Bakery

Wednesdays were always dead, that’s why star opted to just work opening shift herself instead of having one of her employees do it. She’d bake early before opening the shop, usually only having some regulars pass through.

She was in the kitchen when she heard the bell and the sudden echo of voices she knew well, “star you here? I need my fix” Judy called out, Jesse rolling his eyes “ course she’s here ya dummy, it’s her shop” he shot towards his sister who flipped him off. One of those regulars being Judy, she’d come every Wednesday for brownies. Though she didn’t usually bring the whole family.

“I got em right here for ya hold yer horses” star called back as she pulled the hot pan from the oven, the smell of brownies filling the space as she stepped out of the kitchen and into the front of her shop, placing the pan on one of the lifted platforms on the counter.

“Hells yeah, keep makin brownies this good and I’ll put a ring on ya” Judy chirped happily, reaching a hand out to grab a fresh brownie only for star to slap her hand away “not so fast, ther still hot. You’ll burn yerself if ya eat em now” star scolded.

“Why you gotta tempt me like that girl, that’s messed up leavin em out in ma face” Judy griped stomping her foot kelvin rolling his eyes at his sisters antics before elbowing her out of stars view.

“Starie you got any of them doughnuts with the nuts on em” kelvin questioned his eyes flicking around her display case, he let out a celebratory squeal when he spotted them “heck yeah, i wan em all” he demanded, star laughing lightly as she moved around behind the counter bagging up the various items for each member of the family. By now she knew what everyone liked, they didn’t usually come in all together but them all swung by enough to have a favorite treat. Judy loved her brownies, kelvin was constantly bugging her for pistachio doughnuts, Jesse would scurf down her cinnamon rolls like his life was on the line, Amber couldn’t keep her hands off a fresh fruit tart and Eli was addicted to macaroons (he especially loved when they’d have them with tea).

But she hadn’t baked anything for Gideon in a while, so to say she felt nervous when he stepped out from behind Jesse was an understatement. What if he didn’t like her baking anymore? What if he had some bakery in LA that had that fancy chocolate shes been hearing about? What if he didn’t like her selection? Or worst of all what if he hated it but fake liked it so he wouldn’t embarrass her.

“When did you open this place” Gideons voice suddenly pulled her from her though spiral, her eyes meeting his only briefly before flicking down to her shoes. They hadn’t talked much since that night in the kitchen, star basically ignoring him other then glaring in his direction every time he spoke while they wee with the family.

“A year ago” star chirped back reflexively, her eyes scanning across the treats in her case before landing on a simple cruffin, her eyes flicking over to Jesse quickly his eyes already on her and giving a small nod as to give her the ok to feed Gideon whatever she had in mind. She reached into the case a small square of parchment wrapping around the pastry as she pulled it out and practically shoved it in Gideons face. “Eat” she demanded as he took it from her hand her gaze heavy on him as he gave it a small sniff before taking a bite.

“Wow” he mumbled out his mouth still full, earning him a light smack in the back of his head from Jesse “don’t be talkin with yer mouth full” Jesse reprimanded gideon mumbling out a small sorry as he continued chewing, star let out a small laugh turning her gaze back down to the pastries she was packaging up for everyone.

“Made sum new flavors just fer you” star whispered to Eli as she handed him a neatly folded paper bag, Eli smiling back as he takes it from her hand and glancing behind her “you still bringin’ in those boxes by yerself” he questioned “told ya yer gonna hurt yer back doin all that liftin” he chided on, causing star to cross her arms stubbornly.

“I told you I don’t need any help” she shot back “I’m perfectly capable of movin sum boxes without breakin my back” she sassed moving to grab the bag of treats “Gideon why don’t you help starie out on delivery days, not like yer busy” Amber interjected pushing her son towards the counter, he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. Star wanted to resist, to tell them she didn’t need his help or anyone else’s, but she never could say no when he looked at her like that. Like he’d only ever seen her.

“Fine” she grumbled out as she held out the bag for Jesse to take “be here at 8am on Wednesday and Friday, don be late” she finished Gideon nodding eagerly in response a smile gracing his pouty lips , causing star to flash a reluctant smile his way.

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She’d spent most of the day working in her bakery, her phone having died two hours into her baking session. It’d been a hard day, her body ached more than usual, her skin felt like it was sticking to itself and the heat from the ovens were making her head pound. Safe to say she needed a shower and the warmth of a bed. Well more specifically a shower in her large bathroom and comfy bed she has at Jesse’s, her own bed having no appeal at the moment.

So as soon as she was done slaving away in her kitchen she jumped right in her car and drove straight to Jesse’s. Expecting to see what she always did. Jesse and Amber watching something meaningless in the living room, leftovers in the microwave for her. But what she saw was far from her dreams of a restful night.

She entered the kitchen a tired smile on her face as her eyes found Jesse, who stood with crossed arms and a frown. Stars lips parted slightly to ask why he was all angry dad mode only to finally glance to her left. Her keys falling from her hand as she laid eyes on Gideon, everyones attention shifting to her as soon as the keys hit the ground.

“Staria” Gideon spoke first breaking the silence rising from his chair, and taking a step in her direction “I uh” he stuttered out rubbing the back of his neck his eyes now taking her in “you look different” he finished, Amber clearing her throat obviously and making pointed eye contact with her son “ I mean not like different bad different good you look good” he spewed out waving his hands around like that was some kind of damage control.

Star could hardly hear a word he was saying, her head was spinning ears ringing as she stood like she’d been glued in place. Her mouth felt like it’d been filled with cotton, her brain could hardly process that he was really standing in front of her like this. Like he hadn’t abandoned her without even looking her way. Her shock was quickly turning to anger the longer he babbled nervously and before she knew it she had already reached a hand back and slapped him harshly. Jesse smirking proudly while Amber shook her head softly.

“Fuck you” star spat out her anger boiling over turning to look at Jesse and Amber “what is he doing here” she questioned harshly her tone directed mostly towards Amber who was avoiding her gaze.

“Yer guess is as good as mine kid” Jesse quipped as he crossed the kitchen, slinging his arm over stars shoulder giving her a small side hug “great slap by the way darlin’ very solid” he complimented.

“Thanks” she mumbled her eyes now glaring in Gideons direction, as angry as she was she couldn’t deny he looked amazing. He’d definitely been keeping up with his training, maybe even more so considering his arms were filling out his shirt more than they had when he left. His freckles were darker and his eyes and lips somehow looked even poutier. She hated that she noticed. She hated that he looked so good.

“Look starie” Gideon mumbled his eyes finally meeting hers “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left like that” he finished his hand reaching out like he wanted to touch her before placing it back at his side. Star rolled her eyes bending down to grab her keys from the floor, Gideon took a hesitant step closer hoping she’d let him at least side hug her like his father had. But she took a hasty step back shaking her head.

“Don’t fuckin’ touch me” she snarled “think you can just come back and be welcomed with open arms” she spat waving her hands in the air Gideon now staring down at his shoes. Stars eyes brimming with tears “you’re a coward” she jabbed before pushing past him her hand gripping her bag tightly as she fought to hold in her tears “ ‘m goin’ to bed” her voice wobbling slightly.

“Night starie love you” Jesse chirped already planning on bringing up her left overs “love you too Jesse” star answered back as she stormed up the stairs the sound of her door slamming echoing through the house. Gideon winced slightly from the sound, his head hanging in defeat as Amber came up behind him to rub comforting circles on his back.

“She’ll come around, just give her some time sweetie” she encouraged, Jesse laughed obnoxiously in their direction while pulling a plate with cling wrap from the microwave causing Amber to glare at him.

“What you lookin at me like that for, yer fillin’ his head with delusions” he chastised unwrapping the plate and grabbing a fork “Don’t get yer hopes up boy” he spat before walking our of the kitchen. Gideon sighed heavily, it was clear as day that star and his father had gotten even closer since he’d left. He was even more protective of her then he was before and star seemed to leaning into her roll as the daughter he never had, and it was even more clear the two had bonded over their anger for him.

“I’m sorry sweetie, they won’t stay mad forever” amber stated softly giving his shoulders a loving squeeze before leaving the kitchen.

“That’s what you think” Gideon mumbled softly, plopping down in one of the bar chairs.

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Gideons leaving hit the whole family hard. That first week without him was rough, it felt like a part of her had been cut off. Her and gideon were inseparable since they were 4 and he just up and left without even looking at her once. It was safe to say she was in a bit of a funk, having not gotten out of the bed she had in jesses home,one of Gideons oversized cardigans wrapped around her like a security blanket.

Amber came and sat with her often offering the kind of comfort only a mother could provide. But she couldn’t manage to get her out of bed.

“Go talk to her” Amber pushed her voice low, Jesse stood across from her his arms crossed as he glanced towards her closed door “and do what apologize no fuckin way” he snapped back his eyes rolling as he turned away. Amber gripped his shoulders lightly in attempt to bring his attention to her words “Jesse go talk to her, she’s hurtin’ bad” she urged physically turning him towards her door “go” she ordered.

Jesse gulped as he reached for the doorknob his heart pounding louder as he turned the knob and pushed the door open. What he saw nearly snapped his heart in two, star was wrapped up in Gideons comforter the curtains drawn only a small strip of light shining in and casting a warm glow on her puffy red eyes. “hey starie, you’ve been in here for a while” he stated the bed dipping slightly as he sat next to her “gotta rejoin society at some point” he finished as he reached out to grip her shoulder turning her towards him.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks lip pouted as she inched closer him. Head now resting on his lap “he wouldn’t even look at me” she mumbled out her voice horse, Jesse sighed shaking his head “it was like I was no one to him” her voice breaking as more tears streamed down her cheeks, Jesse rubbing up and down her arm as she shook. He hated seeing her like this especially over something his own son had done. Ever since her father passed he’s felt the urge to take care her like she was his own. And he’d be damned if he would let her cry over some boy.

“No more tears starie” Jesse stated clearly, pushing her to sit up in the bed and face him “look how yer letting this boy make you look”he chided motioning toward the mess that crowded her room “he doesn’t deserve your tears” he finished squeezing her shoulder encouragingly his gaze locked on hers “who cares if he’s my son, he left so fuck em” he stated with finality.

She sniffled softly nodding in agreement as she used her sleeve to dry her cheeks “fuck em” she mumbled.

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Jesse telling amber to sit down cause “he’ll be back”. But star knew better, she knew this was the straw that broke the camels back. So she went after him.

Gideon stood on the lawn his back to the door and a duffel in his hand looking down at his phone, his brow furrowed. “Dramatic as ever huh?” She questioned Gideon only responding with a quick glance. He was scared the look on her face would convince him to stay, to just ignore his dad and spend the rest of the night tucked into his bed with her. But his just couldn’t do it anymore he couldn’t let the pressure keep weighing him down he had to leave. Even if it meant leaving you too.

The sound of her saying his name pulling him out of his thoughts “if you need someone to tell you to stay I can do that” she strained out tears threatening to spill “stay” she reached out to take his hand, his back still turned to her “please Gideon” she pleaded the sound of her breaking voice flowing into his ears like a sirens song calling him to your arms, but the sudden ding of his phone reminded him of why he was out here in the first place.

Pulling away from her touch to grab his bag off the ground “my rides bout to be here”his voice plain which somehow still landed like knives to the heart. He had hardly so much as glanced at her since she’d came out here and now he was acting like she was some random he was trying to shake off.

“Would you just look at me please” she pleaded as a car pulled up Gideon opening the back door to throw in his bag star close behind him tears now racing down her cheeks as she attempted to enter his line of sight “I swear to god if you leave me” she paused her voice cracking as he reached for the passenger side door “I’ll never fuckin forgive you” her voicing shaking causing Gideon to pause for a moment. Resisting the erge to dry her tears as he gripped the door handle, shaking his head as to not let his caring for her get to him.

The sound of the car door slamming and driving off driving the final two nails in her coffin. She returned to the dinner table Jesse being the first to rise from his chair the moment he sees the tears staining her cheeks.

“He left.”

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