The Worst Pies in London

[the finch]

KACHING! KACHING! KACHING!

...is what Soumitra would have said if there was actually a way to redeem the reward he got for getting it right. What was the point of gambling anyway if you couldn't actually get anything out of it? Also, he probably wouldn't have said that aloud in most circumstances, but that didn't matter anyway, because there was no reason to say it because he wasn't getting payed anything.

A lot of work to say absolutely nothing.

Soumitra picked up an apple pie and handed it to Helena. It was sort of what he just intuitively thought he should do, considering she didn't seem to be doing all that well in the first place, and he thought it would be kind of mean to just stand there in close proximity to the pies and then proceed to not, in fact, do anything about it. Evil and terrible, do not recommend.

"Here. Don't worry about it."

He thought this apple was NOT rotten right to the core (because apple pies couldn't rot and this wasn't about generational trauma, anyway).

[SharkyTGirl185]

Abby hesitated and stepped back as Soumitra handed the girl an Apple pie. She was going to do that herself but as long as she got the pie, that’s all that matters. Abby walks over the SpongeBob Cake and gently picks it up.

“I’ll purchase this then so you don’t have to pay for it, and so no employee cleans it up.” She mutters as she smiled at Helena.

[Rootbeerpants]

Helena stared at the pie being offered to her for a moment, her brain still not fully comprehending how nice they were being to her. After a few seconds though she took the pie from Soumitra and placed it in her basket. As she looked back at the pair and saw Abigail bending down to pick up the cake Helena panicked slightly, stumbling over herself once more. “Ah no it’s okay you…I mean I-I can maybe pay for half. I-I should have enough I…I think…”

As Helena spoke however her brain suddenly shifted. These people were nice to her. They seemed…well not normal maybe but not malicious. Maybe…maybe they’d wanna be friends? Though Helena has no idea how you even ask that question. Just the thought of it makes her skin burn. Still she had to try right? “Um…M-my names Helena by the way. I-I never told you guys that so um…now I have.” Okay so that sucked. Guess making friends is off the table. Not sure what else she expected though. One more reason not to listen to dad.

[the finch]

"Hey, I'm Soumitra," he responded, unphased by the anxious stuttering. People usually called him Soumitra, because that was his name. Although, sometimes people called him stupid things like Samantha because they apparently could not comprehend the existence of a name that wasn't Jack or Jill or whatever. "Nice to meet you too, Helena."

It was always good to get the name in because it showed that he was, in fact, paying attention the whole time and it helped him commit the whole thing to memory anyway. Repetition also did that, but he sincerely doubted that quietly chanting 'Helena, Helena, Helena' would reflect well on him and would probably just be overall disconcerting for all parties involved, especially the eponymous girl of that chant.

It would be nice to stop and chat, he thought, because he liked making friends and these people seemed friendly enough to actually get along with. In fact, he'd consider them somewhat bonded due to the shared shenanigans that had befallen them (although, he still didn't know Abby's name, which was a solid argument for staying, but there was only so much one could do).

Unfortunately, life did go on (sad and unfortunate), so he had to actually buy the things he originally came to the grocery store to purchase — there was no evading obligation, assuredly. He still needed to cook the dinner that the ingredients in question were to be used for, and, contrary to popular belief, he did not want his moms to starve. What should have been a five minute trip morphed into a twenty minutes trip, which, admittedly wasn't too terrible, but still wasn't ideal on a time crunch. Now he only had to get out without seeming, like, super evil and terrible and rude, etc (he couldn't think of any more words).

"So, I do have to go, actually," he interjected before the conversation further progressed and he'd be trapped longer. That probably wasn't too terrible of a way to go about it. He took a slow step back, and a slow step back, and a slow step back, and then he turned around and stopped taking slow steps back because then he'd trip and fall and they'd be back where they started.

((FUN FINCH FACT: Soumitra Finch is continued elsewhere))
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Works Cited

Saftner, EJ. “Allison Ponthier, the Most Authentic NYC Cowboy Is Hitting the Road [Q&A].” Ones to Watch, 1 Sept. 2021, www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/allison-pon ... -interview.

[SharkyTGirl185]

Abby watched as Soutima left, a soft smile on her face as she gave a gave a dip and held her dress for a bow. She then shifted her focus to Helena, giving another small smile to her. She found her stuttering nervousness endearing, almost as if she was some sorta traumatized squirrel or deer with social anxiety. Though she could definitely tell she’s having a hard time with stuff.

“Abby Lester, nice to meet you.” Abby took out a small notepad and pen, writing down some numbers as she ripped it and handed it to the other girl “If you ever want to talk to me about anything or just needs someone to talk to, just call me. I’m always available.”

[Rootbeerpants]

Helena gave a nervous wave goodbye to Soumitra, trying to suppress the part of her brain that screamed she’d somehow made him uncomfortable. All she said was her name after all. Unless someone naked Helena had hurt him somehow. Oh god then she’d be a real jerk. Then again you can’t really control what your name is so maybe-

Helena pulled herself out of her thoughts as she registered the paper being handed to her. A…phone number? She’s…being given a number? Her only contact in her phone is her dad. With a slightly trembling hand Helena took the paper and slipped it into her pocket, a smile breaking out on her face without Helena even realising. “T-thank you! Um I mean uh…I will! I’ll call and s-stuff.” Helena took a deep breath, trying not to completely melt down again. This was her potential first actual friend. Messing up now would both be disastrous and completely in character for her.

With a second deep breath Helena looked off to the side, hoping that looking away from Abby would help keep her calmer. “Um…I should p-probably go pay for my stuff and uh…all that. C-can I give you some money to help pay for the cake? I-I can’t afford all of it but a-at least half…”

[SharkyTGirl185]

"Oh, bless your heart, much appreciated but it is no issue at all, Helena. I can afford it." Abby gave another soft smile as she dipped into a bow again "I'll let you go on, do not let me stop you."

She turned away and started to walk, looking over her shoulder to wave at Helena "I'll see you at school. Have a blessed day."

((Abby Lester continued elsewhere...))

[Rootbeerpants]

Helena watched Abby walk away, waving back when Abby did. “Y-yeah! See you at school!” Helena then turned back, walking back to the counter with a smile still plastered on her face. She did it. Helena has a friend. An actual friend. Part of her still doesn’t believe it. Hell most of her doesn’t. But regardless…she has the number to prove it. How long do you have to wait to call someone anyway? Is it different if you’re texting? Helena sighed, trying to push the thoughts back as she payed for her things. Panic about it later. Get home now.

As Helena finally walked out of the store she looked back at the exterior of the building one more time before pulling her phone out and quickly making a call. “Dad? You are not gonna believe this!”

((Helena continues in The Photonegative Girl))