Basket of Cupcakes

By Akashni Latchanna

Kiki is done with dealing with her school nemesis Claire, and ever since losing her mum, life just seems that much more dreary.  That is until she is visited by her mums apparition which sets into motion a most unimaginable quest to find her.  Catapulted into an alternate universe filled with mythical creatures, ghouls and witches, Kiki sets off on what seems a immposible task.  To make matters worse, she is stuck on this journey with her worst enemy having to learn to work together.  Pulled into this Labyrinth of mystery, adventure and discovery, Kiki will leave an indellible impact on your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AA Latchanna
• Release date: Apr 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201246983

Book preview

PART 1

Claire The Wicked

KIKI HAD BEEN WORKING very hard all morning on her art project at school. Miss May, her favourite teacher, took her for art in grade 2 and impressing her was very important. In fact, it was the most vital thing for her as Miss May reminded her of her mum who, according to her dad Ben, had decided to visit God and ended up staying because she needed to clean up their new home. Well, it’s been a year and Kiki began to thing her mum was cleaning up all of heaven.

Every single time Kiki reached for a colour, Claire pulled it away, seemingly because she needed to use it, but once Claire got a hold of it, she passed the colour along to her friends making sure Kiki never saw it again.

By the time the school bell rang for the lesson to be over, all Kiki had on her page was a pencil drawing of a unicorn with a bit of yellow on the tail and a long red crayon mark where Claire yanked the red crayon out of her hand. Miss May was not happy at all. Why have you not completed your task in time Kiki? I gave you kids extra time as well. This is the third time this week that your work has not been completed Kiki, please get a red note from my desk on the way out and make sure your dad signs.

Claire and her friends could be heard chuckling on their way out. Kiki took extra time to pack her bag as she did not want to run into the mean girls. 

This was the last lesson of the day and they would all be walking past her home and she didn’t want to hear any more of Claire’s babbling. Her high pitched voice seemed to seer thru her brain every time Claire called out to her. 

Claire had everything. Claire's mum and dad provided for her every whim and fancy, no matter how big or small, pricey or ridiculous it may have been. Her hair, as yellow as the sun, highlighted her sea-green eyes and she almost certainly owned a gazillion pairs of shoes which are possibly the reason why they lived in such a mammoth size home.

Kiki, on the other hand, lived in a tiny little home with her dad. She, of course, loved her home. Every little nook and cranny held a memory of her mum. Her dad often said that she appeared to look more and more like her mum daily with her shiny black hair and hazel brown eyes. Of course, she would have loved to have her mum’s long wavy hair, but her dad found it impossible to brush her hair so she had a bob cut instead. 

Even when Claire and her friends walked by and yelled ewwwww every time they walked past her home, Kiki didn’t care.  

After a good talking from Miss May, Kiki set off home. 

At the end of the road, she met Geordie with his sister Ada. Geordie was a grade bigger than her and Ada was in her grade but a different class. 

They looked a bit bothered or concerned. 

Kiki couldn’t tell. Hi Geordie, Hi Ada, I thought you guys would be long gone by now, what is the matter?

Ada was the first to greet Kiki with a nervous Hi Ki. 

Ada was a mousey girl with red hair and freckles, similar to her bigger brother Geordie. Ada’s first day of school was quite an eventful one. She was just a bit late and was trying to make the assembly lineup as fast as she could. 

Balancing her oversized bag and lunch box, she tripped and slid all the way to the assembly on her bottom. The entire school had a good laugh leaving Ada red-faced. Later that day during activities, Claire and Hopper had to pick teams to play dodge ball. 

Hopper and Claire made it seem at every choice that they were about to choose Ada by pointing at her and considering the possibility. Soon enough, Ada’s hopeful look on her face turned to despair as she realized she was the last one standing and Claire and Hopper refused to pick her.  

Ada knew there was no chance of being picked today and she didn’t want to stand alone any longer while the teams snickered and whispered. Ada turned and walked away before they could see the tears appear. As she walked she heard someone call her name.

Ada, wait for me! I don’t play with meanies. Ada turned to see Kiki throw her team vest down run towards her.

Ada had considered her some sort of hero ever since, and because of this, Ada and Geordie have always been her silent lookouts.

Before Kiki could respond, Geordie spoke up with his usual nasally voice. He shifted his large round spectacles on his freckled face and looked behind him nervously then back at Kiki. Ummmm, I wouldn’t go past your place right now if I were you, Claire and her friends are waiting outside for you.

Now Kiki huffed in anger, her entire face turned red and she shifted her navy blue hairband into place.

What does she want now? Well, my dad’s at home so I bet she will not have anything to say in front of him. 

She marched furiously down the street before Geordie could stop her. But as she got closer to her home, she noticed something that made her want to turn and run in the opposite direction, but it was too late. Claire’s annoying fans spotted her and yelled, There she is!

Sidewalk Nibbles And Sips

OUT ON THE SIDEWALK, under Kiki’s once-favourite large oak tree sat Claire, Hopper and their three snot-nosed friends, Ashley, Brittany and Regina. They were sipping apple juice on their couches. What were their couches doing outside on the sidewalk in the first place? It seemed things couldn’t get any worse, but Kiki was wrong, out bounced Ben, in his khaki shorts and white vest and ridiculously colourful socks with some biscuits.

Kiki! You’re late today poppet? Look who’s here, your buddies from school. Ben said as he scooped Kiki up in his big arms and gave her a kiss and a