“Stop saying the word pretty,” Carmelita scoffed. “And what are you doing? It looks utterly ridiculous.” “Oh,” said the boy, pulling his face away. “Well, my mother is one of the cooks, but she says I can’t have any cake because it’s for the guests. But I really, really like the smell of them...so sometimes I sniff them. I didn’t think anyone would notice.” Carmelita thought about this for a moment. “That’s hysterical,” she said, then clutched her stomach and started to laugh. “You’re a cakesniffer!” she cried. “Cakesniffer! Cakesniffer! Hahahahaha!” Carmelita chanted, but then stopped because she knew that if her mother heard her, she’d storm over to Carmelita and tell her to be more ladylike. The boy hung his head. “You’re very pretty, Miss, but you’re not very nice.” He walked away into the crowd. Carmelita rolled her eyes. Dinner wasn’t going to be served for a while and she was starting to get bored. Carmelita was sick and tired of these parties. The same old people in the same setting. She was tired of her controlling parents and the fact that all she could ever do was blend in. Carmelita knew it was time for a change. She raced over to the entrance of the ballroom, stopping when she reached the butler. “I need different shoes and I believe you took them when I came in,” Carmelita snapped, raising her eyebrows. “What do they look like?” He asked blankly. “They’re pink and—” “Ah, yes. I know which ones you’re talking about. Just one moment.” He returned carrying her pink tap-shoes in one hand. “Here you are, Miss.” “Took you long enough.” Carmelita rolled her eyes. “Adorable girls like me shouldn’t have to wait for the things they want.” Without waiting for a reply, she snatched her shoes and made her way back into the ballroom. Carmelita hid behind one very tall fruit and chocolate masterpiece and put on her tap shoes then ran to the front of the ballroom. She brought a champagne glass and a fork with her and started to sloppily slap the fork against the glass. A few people looked over at her, but nobody was really paying attention. Carmelita hit it even harder. “Listen to me, you cakesniffers!” she yelled. And without even having to look, Carmelita saw her parents eyes in the crowd. They lit up like beacons, drilling into her soul. Immediately triggered, Carmelita did the unthinkable. The crash of the champagne glass on the ground was loud and frightening. Everyone stopped talking. Glass flew everywhere, causing the guests to gasp and step back, putting their hands in front of their faces. “I said listen to me, you CAKESNIFFERS!” Carmelita screeched. She smiled when she saw everyone’s eyes on her and ignored the horror on their faces. Carmelita centered herself and started to tap dance. “Cakesniffers are all looking at meeeee, because I’m dancing and singiiiiing!” Carmelita sang, making the lyrics up on the spot. “I’m adorable, I’m really cute, I’m an angel and my name! Is! Carmelitaaaaaaaaaaaa!” She held the note out for as long as she could,