I needed to get home.

The steady beat of my converses hitting the pavement continued as I ran down my road. The wind blowing my hair in different directions. I could see my house. My quest was nearly complete. Nothing could stop-

"-GO TO HELL!" A feminine voice hurled across the neighbourhood.

What?! 

I could've sworn I didn't cause that today. I haven't even done anything yet...

I turned my attention to see where the shouting was coming from and saw it was across the street a few houses from my own. It was one of my classmates, Emily, but she didn't seem to be in her normal state. Her blonde hair resembled a bush, in some sort of messy bun gone wrong, and she was storming down the gravel path of the house next to her own. The gate creaked in protest when she opened, then slammed it shut. It took me a minute to realise that she hadn't been shouting at me but another person, Jacob, another classmate of mine that had become a close neighbour this morning.

"As long as you join me," Jacob replied to Emily's insult. This was only used to increase the rage that burned inside Emily. She was red and murderous intent was written across her face as she stomped across her lawn. The poor grass...

I watched the whole mini drama unfold as if it was my favourite soap! All I was missing was a box of popcorn. The show ended rather quickly when Emily shut her door with a powerful push. There was a short silence before I burst out laughing. 

This was the most entertainment I've seen in the neighbourhood since some man got chased down the road by a dog. Jacob turned in my direction. He had a large grin on his face, proud of what he had just done. He did that hair flick thing that seems to be all the range and waved to me. I returned the smile and waved back at him before I continued walking towards my house.

I heard the sound of Jacob's door closing, as I opened my gate that was hidden between the hedges. Upon entering the house, I announced my entrance, "Mummy, I'm home!"

My mother peaked out the kitchen to see me. She was coated in flour, her dark chocolate hair falling out of the pin from all the work she was doing in the kitchen.

"So did you get it?" she asked.

"Get what?" I asked in confusion. Was I supposed to buy some milk??

"That Pikachu... You know the ones you ran out of the house to get a hour ago on that game of yours."

"Oh? Oh! My battery died, I'll tell you in a minute," I said as I sprinted up the stairs and into my room. I plugged my phone in. How could I let a little soap drama distract me from my goal?

I paced my room as I watched for my phone to switch on. I paused to look out my window. I would clearly see Emily's and Jacob's house outside. Jacob recently moved from the other side of town after his parents got a divorce. Emily has been living here for as long as I remember. We used to have a sweet old lady living in Jacob's new house but she recently moved out of town to live with some relatives. I'll miss her, she baked really good stuff.

Whilst I was lost in thought, my phone had switched on. I quickly opened Pokemon Go to see if I had caught that Exeggcute. The app was taking its time. OMG NO! Why do the servers have to be down at this second!? Why!?

I suppose I could check later. I trudged down the stairs to see what my mum was making in the kitchen. I was hungry after all that hard work.

"Mum, what you cooking?" I sat down at the breakfast table, making myself comfortable for a while.

"Pizza," she replied in a terrible faux Italian accent. I laughed at her bad accent and cheered. Who doesn't love pizza?

"Mum, mum, mum guess what I saw today!" I wanted to tell her about the neighbourhood soap she must've missed whilst she was in the kitchen.

"Is it another Pikachu story?" She really did call every single Pokemon a Pikachu. I had given up trying to teach her the names and just went along with it.

"Nope, Jacob and Emily across the road story. Looks like Jacob made Emily mad. I've never seen her so red..." I continued to go over the events that occurred with enthusiasm. My mother listened with interest, whilst completing the dough. She would make the appropriate sounds to show that she was listening. In the end, whilst topping the pizza, she commented; "Looks like there's going to be war across the road, we better stock up on popcorn."

I laughed, knowing that we were already stocked up on popcorn. It was a very important part of this household due to it being everyone's favourite snack, plus it was healthy than crisps, I think.

My mother put the pizza in the oven and shooed me away. She knew I would sit and wait for the pizza whilst staring at the oven the whole time if she didn't. It might also have to do with the fact I ate half the pizza before dinner one time...

"Go check your pikachus or something, I don't want to see you near the kitchen unless I allow you!" She pushed me toward the door.

"But mum," I dragged out the vowel sounds.

"Nope. Now go!" She pointed towards to the stairs.

I dragged my feet all the way up to my room. The aroma of the pizza slowly drifting out the kitchen, into the passage and soon filled the whole house. Sigh... All I wanted was some pizza!

I flopped onto my bed and grabbed my charging phone. I hope the servers are not down. I opened the app and waited patiently for it to load beside me.

I stared at the ceiling, waiting for the background music to start. I mentally went over all the things I needed to do, like the 5km egg I needed to hatch and the candy to collect for my Eevee to evolve. I really hope I got the Exeggcute.

Finally the app loaded. I quickly checked my Pokemon. YES! My mission had been successful, I now owned an Exeggcute.

I mentally did a fist pump. I was lucky, there was rarely any Exeggcutes in the town.

Ping! I opened the text message. Who even texts these days???

Ella,

Congratulations! Your application for community service has been successful. You will receive further information from this number. All tasks should be carried out according to instructions. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action from the school. 

The main rule is

'Stop the cliches'

-CC

~*~

I love me some popcorn.