The Life Behind Pop-Tarts

By Rosie Carignan

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Dedicated to

Dianne Clouet

My family

My friends

Pop Tarts

Copyright 2015

Maple Leaf Writing Project

Brattleboro, Vermont

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1

The dark cabinet was getting darker as the lights flicked off outside the cabinet.

“Bob almost saw us!”

“I know. It was so exciting!”

“Exciting? Happy, you're insane!” Sad looked at Happy with crazy eyes. “Why do you love it when we almost die?”

“I don’t. It’s so amazing to be out of the cabinet, and I'm always happy!” Happy grinned. Sad shook his head. He didn’t understand.

“Yeah Happy, but I'm not always sad,” Sad remarked.

“Sure. You are totally always happy,” Happy said. “Like when we walked past the cat today, I said, 'This is so awesome that we’re actually surviving this!’ and you said, 'I hate this. I don’t want the Cat to wake up, wait, I hear something. Let’s go home! Are we going to die?' That’s totally happy Sad, totally.” Happy rolled her eyes and turned to face the wall.

“It’s not safe out there for Pop Tarts,” Sad grumbled worriedly. Outside the dusty cabinet, Bob and George were shuffling around. Sad flopped onto his back, lay on his bed, an old cheerio box, and scrolled through the day in his head. They walked past the Cat, were almost seen by Bob, saw fish in a glass box and they explored. They did this every day, and it never got boring. It was always exciting for Happy, and always scary for Sad.

“You awake, Sad? I was thinking we should add something to our schedule.” Sad groaned in his head and turned to face Happy.

“What kind of thing?”

“I don’t know, a trip into the basement?”

“THE BASEMENT?!” Sad jumped up and looked at Happy, petrified.The basement was the worst place ever. Sad didn’t know what was down there, but he knew it probably wasn’t good.

Each morning, before Bob and George woke up, Happy and Sad silently opened the cabinet door, jumped down onto the counter and began their day. It consisted of trips to see fishes in glass boxes, to discover things, to hide from Bob and George, and to live the life of a Pop Tart. Because that was who they were: Pop Tarts.

Of all their exploring, not once had they been outdoors. They never experienced cars, wind, animals or other humans.They never knew of other Pop Tarts.

“I guess not. The basement doesn’t fit your style.” Happy lay back and smiled. Everyday was wonderful. As she and Sad drifted into sleep that night, Happy thought of happiness, and Sad thought of sadness.

2

“Psssssst! Sad!” Happy rolled off her cereal box. She rushed to Sad’s bed and poked him. “Bob and George will get up soon! I don’t want to be stuck in this cabinet all day. I was thinking we could hang out in the dining room. Then we could go visit the fish or something.” Sad slapped Happy’s hand away.

“Noooooo. I’m too tired…” Sad purposely rolled off the bed. “Ow.” Happy grew mad.

“Off the floor!” she ordered, “or I will drag you into the toaster!” She was kidding, but Sad didn’t know. He jumped up off the floor. “Wait. The toaster!? No!” Happy sighed and stalked off towards the cabinet door. Sad followed her anxiously. They both pressed themselves against it, and listened for Bob and George’s footsteps.

“I don’t hear anything. Let’s go!” Happy stepped back and got ready to push the door. Sad gasped.

“I think there’s something out there!!”

“Sad, stop being a pessimist. This will be fun! Come help me.” Sad nodded and slowly walked to Happy. They pushed the door. It creaked. “EEK!” Sad fell backwards, and let go of the door. The door was too heavy for Happy, and she toppled to the ground as well. The door slammed shut.

“Sad! Why'd you do that?!” Happy glared at Sad and tried her best to hold the glare but she couldn't. She was excited. She wanted to leave the cabinet.

“What's so funny? You be quiet, Happy. That cabinet door creaked and George might have heard it. I’m NOT going out there ever again!” Sad sat huddled in a rectangle.

Happy came over to him. “It’s ok, Sad. Come onnnn. You'll be safe the whole time. I won't go ahead. We can even take a detour away from the toaster!” Sad grumbled.

“As long as we take the detour.” Sad cried quickly. “I know I'm going to regret this.” Happy dragged him over to the door.

“Alright Sad, let’s go for real this time.” Sad put his hands up. “On three. You ready, Sad? One… Two… -”

“WAIT!” screeched Sad. “I think I hear something.” Happy stared at him. She couldn't believe how nervous he was.

“Come on Sad. There's nothing out there. Do you hear me? Nothing!” Sad was silent. He repositioned his hands for the third time and kept repeating nothing is out there. They pushed the door open together, and when it creaked Sad kept his mouth shut. All that was going through his mind was nothing is out there,...WE ARE GOING TO DIE!!! Nothing is out there, noth... WAIT!

"WAIT!" Sad hissed. They got out of the cabinet alive, and Happy was skipping along the counter, occasionally hiding behind big dishes when she thought it was necessary. Sad was hiding the whole time he was moving. He was looking for Bob, George, or the Cat, and he knew just then what he had seen.

"H-H-H-Happy! Th-the cat is-eek!" Sad started sprinting in the other direction. He had seen the Cat. He didn't dare turn around, but what if the Cat had Happy? How could he live without Happy? Sad turned around and squealed. The Cat was right on Happy's heels. Happy was speeding down the counter towards...THE BASEMENT! Sad felt an immediate 'UH OH' and kept sprinting. He was scared out of his mind. Sad ran at full speed, after Happy, doing his best not to think bad thoughts. Of course, he didn't do very well.

Happy sprinted as well, but with a different feeling. She didn't exactly feel happy, but she felt free. She felt joy. The counter was coming to an end, and even Happy didn't have a plan. Her plan was to get through the basement door away from the Cat, but how? She ran and ran and..flew. Happy leapt off the counter with a delirious Sad behind her. Happy landed with a roll and stood up to keep running. Sad though, had tripped. He hadn't noticed that Happy had flown over a spoon. He stumbled and crashed to the floor. Sad dragged his body to the corner to hide from the Cat. But the Cat wasn't following him. The Cat was chasing Happy! Sad closed his eyes and took deep breaths.

Happy saw the door. It was so close. If she could just squeeze through the crack, she'd be safe, but the Cat was blocking her. The only way to escape was to go outside. Happy had never been outside. And Sad had never been alone in the house before. Happy needed to decide quickly, but how do you choose between being killed or thrown into a portal and forced to create a new life? Happy chose the the portal to the outside.

Just as Sad opened his eyes, he saw a bit of pink frosting and the corner of a Pop Tart disappear outside into the big unknown world.

"HAPPY!!"

3

Once Happy was outside, and she got used to the light, she immediately fell in love with it. She saw birds and the big blue sky. Everything was so beautiful. Happy smiled. She loved it.

Sad, still trapped in the house, stared at the door, unable to breathe. He could feel the air coming from the crack in the door. He didn't want to believe it. Happy was gone. She was out in the world all alone. Well, at least she'll be happy, thought Sad. Although I'm not happy. He didn't want to go after her, but how could he live without her? Happy was always there for him.

"MEE-OOW!" Sad jumped and turned around. He had forgotten about the Cat. It was now barreling towards him, its mouth wide open. Sad squealed and hid behind a broom pan.The Cat froze. Sad froze. This was his chance.

Sad closed his eyes and sprinted forward. He knew that if he kept running he would go straight out the door. He needed Happy. Sad kept his eyes closed and ran. He sensed movement behind him, but he didn't look. He just ran. BANG! Sad ran headfirst into the door, not out the door. He sat up quickly and saw stars. A bit of his cookie crumbled off. Sad tried to stand and fell to the ground. He slowly turned his head. The Cat was coming. Sad flung himself out the door and tumbled down the steps.

Ten minutes later, Sad opened his eyes, and realized that he was laying on hard rock. It was bumpy and fell down to the ground in blocks. Sad thought they were called stairs, but he wasn't sure. Luckily, no one had come up them. Sad immediately closed his eyes again. It was so bright. He thought he could stand, so he tried. He almost tripped and fell, but kept his balance. Sad decided to jump the rest of the way down the stairs, because hadn't he already lost part of his cookie? Sad jumped and fell, then lay on the grass without moving.

"La-la-la-la! Yippee for me!...Poor Sad." Happy! Sad tried to jump up, but fell back to the ground again. He slowly made his way towards Happy, not believing that he was still alive. "H-happy?"

"Sad!" Happy cried with joy, and ran up to Sad, "Isn't it wonderful here, Sad? Have you seen the water? And the sky!" Happy's smile was bigger than ever. She really must be enjoying herself, thought Sad. He groaned and looked at Happy.

"We need to get back to the cabinet," Sad said as sternly as he could. He hated it outside.

"Wait a minute! You haven't gotten to see any of it yet. You might like it. I can show you!" Happy took Sad's hand and dragged him to the middle of the grass. "Look up." Sad did. He could not believe what he saw. Big scary birds flying everywhere against an extra huge blue sheet of evilness.

"Aaahhheee!!" Sad covered his head and cowered. Happy looked down at him. She sighed. She felt like she sighed too many times a day.

"Ok Sad, we can go back in for today, but I think I might want to come back out here some time and you can stay in-"

"HELP! Ahh!" Happy looked up. Sad was floating in the air. She realized that the trees were shaking too. A large whooshing sound had picked up also. As Sad got higher Happy felt herself being lifted into the air with Sad. She looked up and tried to jump with joy. Happy was flying!

"Sad! Ha, ha! This is amazing. Spread your arms out and try turning." Happy tried, but the wind flung her in the other direction. Sad too, was being flung everywhere. He was headed straight towards the brick wall of the house.

"EEK!"

Happy on the other hand was heading straight for a big thorny bush. She was having fun, but she didn't see the thorns getting closer. Happy laughed and turned her head to see Sad, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Sad!" Happy tried to see him, but she couldn't find him. Suddenly she felt herself being yanked downwards towards the ground. The wind wasn't pulling her anymore. Happy looked down as she plummeted to the grass. A Pop Tart was at the bottom in the grass, holding something. She realized then that she was in some sort of trap. A net? "Sad?"

"No, it's not Sad. It's me, Maybe. Welcome to my world. Or is it your world? You're lucky I saved you. The wind can be very dangerous." Happy strained her eyes to see. At the bottom was a Pop Tart, but not Sad. It must be Maybe, whoever Maybe was. He, or was it she?, had a black thing on. It was wrapped around his body, so you could only see his eyes, and part of his cookie. He (or she) had purple frosting and his/her cookie looked toasted. Happy couldn't help herself from asking questions.

"Are you a girl or a boy? What's that black thing? What's wind?"

Maybe laughed. "I'm an it. I'm the Ninja Pop Tart. Wind is, well, wind. There’s no other way to describe it." Maybe looked down at Sad, still stuck in the net.

"Is this your brother? He's pretty miserable.” Happy looked at Sad. He did look miserable.

"Oh!" Happy said cheerfully, “that is my brother. His name is Sad. We were just going to go explore." Sad looked up with angry eyes. Sad eyes. Mad eyes.

"Happy! You said we were going to go inside now and that you-" Sad pouted, but Happy cut him off.

"We were going to go inside later. Can you show us around? What is the beautiful big blue thing?" Happy rambled on and on as Maybe led her away from the house. Sad followed behind obediently, grumbling.

They walked on and on, until suddenly, Maybe disappeared, Happy disappeared, too, and Sad screamed, until he realized they had just turned a corner.

“Ok, so where do you want to go first?” Maybe looked at Happy, then Sad. Happy shrugged. Sad turned away. “Ok. I guess I will show you the car first. It is AWESOME.”

“Great! Sad, you coming?” Sad nodded. At least he would be with Happy. Maybe brought them to the front of the house and stopped them right before the door. He had them stand and look forwards.

Happy hadn’t noticed it before, but there it was. A huge block of metal. Sad had never seen it either, and he was scared. Happy squealed with joy. Sad squealed with fright. Maybe laughed.

“I can take you in, if you want.” Happy and Sad turned to him, wide eyed.

“Can you?”

“Sure. Follow me.” Maybe led the way and brought them to the car. He threw a rope up into the open window, yanked it, and started to climb. He scaled it like a rock climber and threw it down for Happy. She jumped on it and started to climb. It took her a while, and her foot slipped once or twice, but she made it up. Sad on the other hand could not get up. He had such bad luck. Once he was helped into the car, they all heard the house door slam! Sad dove under a seat. Happy climbed to a window to see who was coming and Maybe leapt out of the car, landed in a roll, and sprinted away.

It was George. He came out whistling, with keys in his hand. He got into the car, cranked up the music, backed out the driveway and flew down the road.

4

Happy jumped up quietly, excited to look out the window. Once she saw the window her eyes got wide. Happy had never experienced everything going so fast. It was all speeding around her, and the car was bouncing all over the place. Happy went over near Sad and sat next to him. She didn’t like the car. She didn’t like George or Bob. For the first time, Happy was scared.

Sad looked over at Happy. Strangely, she sort of looked like him. Suddenly, Sad felt a jolt go through his body. Surprisingly himself immensely, Sad felt a desire to see the outside. He felt different. Once Sad got to the window he saw everything moving so quickly and his face changed. His vision was blurred and he could feel the bumps. Sad did something he had never done before. He felt the corners of his mouth being lifted upwards, and Sad smiled. A real smile.

A few minutes later George got out of the car and left them in a vast square of road with lines painted onto it. Other cars sat between the lines. George returned to the car with a large brown bag and drove the Pop Tarts back home.

Once they were parked, Happy jumped out of the car, and ran off toward the flowers. Sad followed her. She was sitting on a rock. Sad jumped up onto the rock to sit next to her. Happy was staring off into the distance. Sad didn’t know what to say.

“Hi?” Happy turned to him and smiled softly.

“Hey. I’m sorry,” said Happy, as she turned away. Sad was bewildered. What did Happy have to be sorry for? Sad spoke.

“Happy. What are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything wrong.” Happy shook her head.

“No. I didn't know what it felt like to be scared. I didn't know how it felt to be you. I was mean, I bossed you around when you were scared. I’m really sorry.” Sad was surprised. He actually believed that Happy was sorry. Her soft tone of voice made him feel bad for her. Sad understood now.

“Happy, wait. Thank you. I’m sorry too. I felt something different in the car today. I think you did too. I was excited. I was happy. I’m sorry for being so grumpy. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn.” Happy’s smile got a little bigger.

“Me too. Thanks. I forgive you.”

“I forgive you as well.” Happy’s smile was huge by then, and so was Sad’s. Happy turned to go inside. Sad followed her.

“Happy! I need to say one more thing. I love you. You’re my sister, and no matter what emotions each of us has, I will always love you. ”

“I love you too.” They walked back to the house together, side by side.