Mia, a ten-year-old soccer prodigy with a determined grin, tightens her shoelaces beside Ethan, her twelve-year-old brother, known for his quick wit and love for science.
Sophie, their eight-year-old neighbor, twirls her jump rope nearby, her energetic hops echoing on the path.
"Did you see the new snack table? There's nothing but donuts, candy bars, and pizza rolls!"
"Coach says sweets give us energy for the game! I love this new food rule."
As the whistle blows, Mia sprints across the field, her movements a bit less sharp than usual. Ethan fumbles with the ball, pausing to wipe powdered sugar off his hands. Sophie giggles, her cheeks smeared with chocolate, and tumbles into the grass.
"Oops! I guess dessert for breakfast makes me a little dizzy," she laughs, oblivious to her growing clumsiness.
Mia squeezes into her seat, her shirt riding up slightly, but she barely notices. Ethan adjusts his sticky glasses, ignoring the growing stains on his once-pristine uniform. Sophie swings her legs, her shorts digging in, but she grins through another bite of cake.
"Our school lunches have never been better. Who needs boring vegetables?"
"I feel awesome! More sugar means more energy, right?"
Gym class continues, but the sprints become wheezy jogs, and stretches are met with groans. Yet, teachers and classmates only offer praise, their voices full of cheer, eyes glazed with denial.
"Look, I finished last, but Coach said I gave it my all!"
"We're definitely getting stronger. Must be all those snack cakes."
Ethan waddles to the edge, crumbs falling from his swimsuit pocket.
"Race you to the other side—after one more donut!"
Mia nods, her hair matted from sweat, her smile wide. Sophie slurps soda, oblivious to the sticky residue on her chin.
"This is the best life ever. I hope nothing changes,"
"Yeah, who needs anything but snacks and sweets?"
"We're the healthiest, happiest kids around!"
They drift off, surrounded by the sugary, greasy world they've embraced, blissfully unaware of any consequences lurking just out of sight.
