"Sparks are flying, huh?" I know Jennifer is just messing with me, but why is she so hellbent in believing Preston and I may be a thing? I've just helped him, that's not such a big deal.

However, the more I remark this concept, the more insistent she is. "Come on, Kaesyn, you can't keep denying evidence forever. Go and ask him what he feels!"

"Are you sure it's okay for me to be that straightforward? After all, he's Mayor Weddle's son, while I-"

She cuts me off. "Stop being paranoid! He's not a snobbish asshole. Give him a chance to prove so."

"I don't need to. I know he's a good person. It's just that-"

"Again, don't be afraid to get close to him. He isn't untouchable." Jen is right. Preston may be the Mayor's son, but isn't some stuck up brat with an ego as big as the entirety of the USA.

"By the way, I just helped him out of kindness. Mom and Dad taught me not to leave anyone struggling behind."

"Fair. That's your point of view and I respect, even though-"

I interrupt her, changing subject. "How about we go and watch the cupcake contest? Mom and Dad are participating." I hope they win this time. This is their fifth year in a row trying to take the trophy.

As usual, the competition is cutthroat. There are the Lowes, who are pastry chefs, and the Gillespies, who won this contest twice and aim for a third trophy, among others. Unfortunately, there are also the Cosgroves. To say I hate them is an understatement.

Those three act all high and mighty, as if they're some perfect, superior entity. The problem is, they're so arrogant and entitled that barely know what accountability truly is. They're also a bunch of sore losers, especially after they seethed as they discovered Preston donated way more money than them.

Mom and Dad don't want to fight them, but Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove are in search for trouble. In particular, the latter glares at Mom as she shockingly accuses her of copying a recipe of hers. "Oh, what a surprise! Hannah Parker presenting a recipe by someone else and passing it off as hers. Shame on you!"

Fortunately, Mom is quicky to clap back at that spiteful lady. "Shut up, Perla! You and Craig should worry about your own cupcakes-I bet they're half burnt like last year!" She and Dad start giggling, which angers both Cosgroves.

The latter two leave, but not without Craig hissing at me in a threatening tone. "You'd better keep your parents' mouths in check, young lady, or they'll face trouble." I ignore his warning as I turn to my family. Fuck those two orcs. I hope they don't win the contest.

The judges in charge of tasting all sweet creations and assigning points to each pair of contestants don't seem to be softies. They're pretty harsh in their judgement, which has me worried for Mom and Dad. My parents have given their all to prepare a batch of cupcakes to remember. Will their effort be enough?

As the round of judgement is over, I cross fingers, hoping the verdict is what I want it to be. To ease the tension, Briony passes by, along with Connie Lewis from the Social Circle. The two of them are in high spirits because they have found out their goal of collecting a hundred thousand dollars has been vastly exceeded.

"Everyone in town has made an offer," says the latter, proud at the outcome.

Briony adds, "Yet, the Weddles made the difference. Especially Preston. I didn't expect him to bring so much money to the table." Her attention then turns to me. "What do you think, Kaesyn? Are you surprised?"

I reply, "I have to admit I am. Up to last year, he would allocate at most sums in double digits and leave his parents offer more. He must've won the lottery or something."

"Speaking of the lottery, I think you're the lucky charm! He's clearly into you, don't you see?" Oh, no... The same theory Jennifer brought up before!

"Please, don't get it wrong. I was just being kind to him after what Ella-Kate told him. How dare she accuse him of being a thief?" Anger swiftly takes over as I think of that little brat. I can't believe we're the same age. She's so out of touch with the community, thinking she's above anyone else, all because of her obnoxious parents' beliefs.

At last, it's time to announce the verdict. The two judges call for the audience to be quiet and listen as the top 3 are announced. "Coming in third place are the Blackwell sisters! Congratulations!" A round of applause erupts, with my parents being louder than the rest.

"Now, it's time to announce the top 2 pairs: the Lowes and the Seeleys. Who is taking the crown?" Anticipation rises as silence falls in the area. The Cosgroves occasionally throw pointed glares towards random directions, with no-one catching them. There's no time for pointless drama.

"With a score of 752 points, Oliver and Tami Lowe come..." More suspense. Time still standing. I cross my fingers, with Jennifer and Preston following suit. "They come in second place!" Really? Does it mean that one thing?

"Therefore, with 783 points, Andrew and Hannah Seeley are the winners of this competition." Oh my God. Is this real? At last my parents have won the cupcake contest. After four unsuccessful attempts to take the crown, they persevered and succeeded. I'm so proud of them.

I rush towards them to hug them, but they invite me to let go of them so that they can fetch the trophy. "We'll celebrate when we're back home, okay?" Dad has a point. It's time for him and Mom to take the center of the stage now.

The other pairs are all happy for them, except for those same two ogres: Craig and Perla Cosgrove. They stick out as sore thumbs for how much they seethe. They got an embarrassing low score, which, instead of having them rethink the mistakes they made, fuels their anger further.

The former complains. "What? That's impossible! They can't have won with that slop! I bet they sweet talked the judges into giving them a high score." That's ridiculous. Mom and Dad earned it fair and square. Why do they have to listen to those monsters' bullshit?

"Craig, are you sure that's it? There has to be more! I bet the jury just wanted to award them a win out of pity, so that they can finally get out of our hair." The more Perla talks, the worse. She and her husband don't realize they're digging a hole for them too deep to get out of. Their loss. If they can't be gracious, then their place shouldn't be here.

In fact, I remark. "Look, I understand you're upset for the loss. But all these conspiracy theories are making you look bad. Please stop, and just congratulate the top 3. Isn't that better?"

This time, neither Craig nor Perla replies. Their spiteful daughter does. In fact, Ella-Kate thinks it's a good idea to hold a grudge against me. "First the painting challenge, then this. How much did you offer to the judges? Be honest for once in your pathetic life, Kaesyn."

I cross my arms. I've had enough of them. "Nothing. By contrast, I don't like how you and your parents treated Preston earlier. Why haven't you apologized to him yet?"

The Cosgroves are all fuming. Ella is seconds away from ripping her eyes off my orbits or knock Preston's teeth off with a punch. She and her parents, however, have already got on our nerves and are alienating the entire community with their behavior.

Either they stop or the consequences will affect the town more than they do these out of touch assholes.