When in Doubt, Don't BAKE!

“Yo, Mia, got a sec?”

“Always for you, Cam. What’s up?”

“I need a favor.”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Oh no, this sounds suspicious already. Spill it.”

“It’s nothing major. I made some brownies, and I want you to taste-test them before I bring them to game night.”

“Uh, okay? Since when do you bake?”

“Since today,” Cam said with an exaggerated wink.

Mia groaned. “Fine, bring them over.”

~~~~

Cam arrived at Mia’s place carrying a plate of neatly arranged brownies, wrapped in cling film.

“Wow, you really went all out,” Mia said, taking the plate.

“I aim to impress,” Cam said, grinning.

Mia took a brownie and sniffed it. “Smells normal. You didn’t sneak anything weird into these, did you?”

Cam gasped in mock offense. “How dare you doubt my culinary integrity!”

“Alright, alright,” Mia said, laughing. She took a big bite.

Cam watched her intently. “Well?”

Mia chewed slowly, her face unreadable. Then, she swallowed and said, “Not bad. Kinda chewy, but the flavor’s good. Chocolatey with… a hint of… I don’t know. Something earthy?”

Cam’s grin widened. “That’s the secret ingredient.”

“Wait, what secret ingredient?” Mia asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Relax, it’s nothing illegal or gross. Just a pinch of something I found in my pantry.”

Mia froze. “Define something.”

Cam shrugged. “It was in this little jar with no label. Smelled fine. Looked kinda like flour.”

Mia’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me you used an unlabeled mystery powder in your brownies?”

“Don’t be dramatic. You said they tasted good!”

Mia shook her head. “Unbelievable. If I die, I’m haunting you.”

~~~~

Later that evening, Mia felt a strange heaviness settle in her stomach.

“Ugh, those brownies are sitting like a brick,” she muttered, texting Cam:

Mia: What was in that jar?? My stomach feels weird.

Cam replied almost instantly:

Cam: Chill, it’s probably just the butter. I might’ve overdone it.

~~~~

But as the night went on, the discomfort turned into sharp cramps.

“Okay, this isn’t normal,” Mia groaned, dialing Cam.

“Hey, what’s up?” Cam answered.

“I think your ‘secret ingredient’ is trying to kill me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It was just a pinch—”

“I’m serious, Cam! My stomach feels like it’s doing the cha-cha, and I’ve been to the bathroom three times already!”

“Oh. Uh… do you want me to Google symptoms of poisoning?”

“Yes, genius, that’s exactly what I want!

~~~~

By the next morning, Mia was exhausted and pale, but the cramps had subsided. She called Cam again, her voice hoarse.

“You owe me an explanation, and an apology.”

“Okay, okay,” Cam said. “So, funny story… I checked the jar this morning and, uh, turns out it wasn’t flour.”

Mia’s stomach dropped. “Then what was it?”

“...It was a laxative powder. My grandma used to keep it in the pantry for her ‘baking emergencies.’”

Mia was speechless.

“Hey, at least you’re cleansed now, right?” Cam said nervously.

“YOU BETTER RUN!, Cameron. Because I’m about to CLEANSE YOU FROM MY LIFE.”