Today was supposed to be the best day ever because I finally got to go to that new candy store on Maple Street after class. I’m obsessed with sweets, so obviously I brought my emergency pack of sour gummies in my bag just in case. I was texting my friends the whole way there, sending them pictures of the window display with all the colorful bins. I’m pretty outgoing like that—I love sharing the fun stuff!

The store smelled amazing, like vanilla and strawberries mixed with that sugary, almost chemical sweetness that makes your mouth water. I went a little nerdy and told the clerk, James, this random fact about how chocolate was once used as currency in ancient times. He just smiled and nodded, which was cool because I hate when people act like they don’t want to hear my little tidbits.

I started trying all the different candies like a kid in a candy store (ha, see what I did there?). First some chewy caramels that stretched perfectly, then fruity gummies that popped with flavor. I was being my usual spunky self, bouncing between bins and commenting on each one out loud. Then I picked up these shiny hard candies in bright wrappers. They looked so promising—red and round, promising cherry or cinnamon or something amazing.

I popped one in my mouth and started sucking on it right there by the counter. At first it was okay, but then the taste hit me wrong. It was super bitter and weirdly artificial, nothing like I expected. I got impatient with myself because I should’ve known better from the color. I tried to keep sucking, hoping it would get better, but nope. It was letting me down big time. Finally I couldn’t take it anymore and discreetly spit it out into my hand, my cheeks burning.

James looked over and said, “It’s rude to spit.”

I froze, feeling totally embarrassed and overly sensitive like I always do when someone corrects me. I take stuff so literally, and now I was thinking, oh no, am I actually being rude? I know you’re not supposed to spit in public, but if something doesn’t taste like you think it should, what else are you supposed to do? I denied it in my head and told him, “It just surprised me, that’s all!”

He chuckled and added, “You seem to like all the flavors,” as I quickly tried another candy to cover up the moment. Then he said, “You like sweet tastes,” while watching me pop in a strawberry one.

I laughed it off like the funny, clever girl I am, but inside I felt cautious now, a little let down by that bad candy ruining my groove. I kept moving around the store, texting my friends about the whole thing while sucking on safer options. My spunky side bounced back fast though—I ended up buying way too many bags and telling James another nerdy fact about how the human tongue has over 8,000 taste buds. He seemed amused.

Ugh, why do I get so impatient with myself over tiny things? I’m smart enough to know better, but that one candy really threw me. At least most of them were delicious. Tomorrow I’m trying the sour belts for sure.

Haylee