[ Chloe ]

When we pulled into the parking lot of the donut shop, Paige and I squealed. We hopped out of the red Honda Accord and walked through the door.

The bell on the door rang as we walked in. The first thing I saw were rows and rows of donuts behind the desk! The lady behind the counter said, "Welcome to Susan's Donuts!" It was a cute little shop, with pastel pink and orange wallpaper. There were 5 tables that each seated 2 people. It was a Friday, so there were a lot of people in line.

Paige and I both looked at her mom with the 'what do we do?' look.

"I guess we just wait in line and then talk to the manager," she told us.

~~~

We waited in line for another 20 minutes until it was finally our turn. We walked up to the counter and the lady smiled kindly at us. Miss Kelly asked her, "Can we speak to the manager, please?"

"Absolutely, just follow me." She opened the gate and took us to the back room. Once we got there, Paige and I saw a middle-aged woman putting a new batch of donuts in the deep-frier.

"Miss Susan?" the employee greeted. The woman turned and saw all of us. "These customers would like to speak to you."

"Perfect, come right over here." She gestured to a little table in the corner. Paige and I happily bounced into two of the seats.

"So, why are you ladies here? What would you like to discuss?"

"Paige and Chloe are looking for an easy summer job, and we thought here would be the perfect place! But you don't have to pay them in money, they would like to be paid in donuts," Miss Kelly explained.

Miss Susan thought about this for a minute until finally making a decision. "Alright, you're hired! Were you thinking 1 donut every 2 hours, Mrs. Hyland?"

"Yes, that's perfect!" we all shouted in delight.

Miss Susan looked pleased. "Then you start on Monday. We are closed on holidays and Sundays."

All three of us shook her hand. "Pleasure doing business with ya!"

~~~

Once I was finally home, I said goodbye to Paige and her mom, thanked them for having me over, and jumped out of the car. I watched them drive away while waving to them.

When they were gone, I went up to my garage door and easily typed in the four number code. The creaky door slowly opened while I rolled my eyes in disgust. Why can't these things go faster?

After a long thirty seconds, I ducked under the door and walked in through the basement.

My mom and Clara were waiting for me by the door, and as soon as I walked in they yelled, "Welcome home, Chlobird!"

I laughed. "I feel like a superstar!"

I walked up the steps, dragging my bag and sleeping bag behind me. I never realized how heavy two things could be.

I yanked the bags onto the kitchen table while Clara gave me a hug. I was so ecstatic, I actually hugged her back.

"Mom, I have great news!"

Then I told her about the job and everything we did at the sleepover.

"Honey, that's awesome! I'm so excited for you!" she told me.

I nodded and took my bags upstairs to unpack.

First I put my sleeping bag in my closet, then I put my toothbrush in the bathroom, and finally threw my clothes and pajamas in the laundry.

I was about to put my bag on the top shelf in my closet when I heard something ring. I almost forgot my phone!

I reached into the small pocket and wrapped my fingers around the large iPhone 5 screen. When I pressed the home button, I saw a text notification from Paige.

-Hey! Can't wait to see you on Monday! Miss you already ♡

Aw! Paige is so sweet.

~Miss you too ♡

I just looked at my phone and scrolled through the hundreds of conversations Paige and I have had.

And I began to wonder what life would be like without her.