FALLing out

Lachlan F 8th grade

The pumpkin syrup bottle is called for a talk with Pinwheel’s manager James. The manager had just warned them that fall was coming to a close, and people were craving new flavors. Peppermint and eggnog were going to need space in the fridge. Pumpkin syrup remembered years past where they were let go just because the season was over. Pumpkin wanted to leave with a bang this year. 

“So I think that we are going to have to” but Pumpkin cut him off and started a tirade. 

“You’ll miss me! screamed Pumpkin. ”

“You’re abandoning me NOW! AFTER EVERYTHING I DID FOR THIS SHOP! I was refilled more than any other syrup! You’re crazy to fire me.” The manager tries to stop them, shocked by this turn of events. 

“No other syrup rivals me!!!” they screamed as they grab their stuff and storm out, uttering one last thing as they leave. 

“You’ll miss me!” screamed Pumpkin. 

They ran out and started pondering their decision. 

“What have I done? Now they probably won’t even rehire me next fall!” they screamed, anguished. They trudged home, cursing themselves for how they acted in Pinwheel. They crashed into bed, trying to sleep, but there was too much on their mind. So they stayed up and hatched a plan. When morning came, they went to Pinwheel earlier than any other syrup and stood nervously on the shelf. When the shop opened, they got a lot of weird looks from other syrups, and Honey asked them, 

“Why are you here? We all heard you quit last night.”

“Quit?! Not me!” Pumpkin said loud and earnestly.

“Yeah, we heard you screaming about how unfair it was,” piped in Lavender.

Then James the manager strolled in. He walked behind the bar and stopped when he saw Pumpkin standing on the shelf, trying to look innocent. 

“Pumpkin, what are you doing? You quit last night,” said James.

“Oh me, uh that was just a joke, I was totally kidding,” said Pumpkin, feigning confusion.

“Really, because you were pretty serious sounding,” James said, doubtful, “but that’s good because I wasn’t going to fire you, I was just asking you to move to a different part on the shelf.”

“Oh...I knew that! I was just yanking your chain,” said Pumpkin, shocked.

“Sure you did,” James said sarcastically, “good to have you back Pumpkin.”

Pumpkin smiled and stood up, relieved and happy to be there.