Dear Listener,

Before you judge me is stealing really that bad? Think about it, these big corporations have billions of dollars, what is one messily stolen phone going to do, really?

Okay so here is what happened. Casta is a thief, no surprise there I mean she was stealing when I first met her, but she isn’t a good thief. She makes it too obvious and looks very much like a thief. So I had a plan.

“You look white, well like mostly white. Maybe on the darker side of white. Is that a thing? Anyways no one would suspect you.” She said.

“True, but I have a better idea.”

“Hmm?” she cocked her head to the side.

“We go in disguise. You see people think lifting at the mall is best at night, but they are wrong, that is when you are most likely to get caught, going during the day right in the middle of rush is the best time. Too much is going on to focus on anything. And that was when people were in school imagine now, I bet it’s packed.”

“I like where this is going.”

“Rule number one, don’t look like a thief. Rule number two, don’t go it alone that only makes you look suspicious. Rule number three, act very stuck up and rich. No one suspects a rich girl.”

“So when are we doing this?” she asked.

“I need to borrow my mom's car. We have to be back before 4 at the latest.”

“Well, what are you waiting for, go ask her.” She pushed me.

“Alright, alright. Jeez.” I complained.

So I went into my mom's room and asked for the keys. She sleepily agreed and told me to be back before 3. On to phase two.

I gave Casta what I like to call the white girl's makeover. I gave her some of my peppiest looking clothes to wear and I straightened her hair as well as forced her to at least put some eyeliner on. She looked hot, not gonna lie. Then I too got dressed and we went to the mall.

“The key to getting out good is to steal in quality, not quantity. The higher the price the better.” She instructed.

“Got it.”

“Also, never panic and act like you are stealing. You got to seem casual even if approached.” She instructed.

“I can do that,” I said.

“Good, now let’s go.”

The mall was jam-packed just as I predicted. Casta and I walked around and went from store to store, lifting thing and shoving them into our oversized purse. We hit five stores before finding a bump in the road. It was when we got to a tech store.

You see I am in desperate need of a laptop. I want one so bad. Not just for school but because I like looking up stories to read online and reading them on my phone isn’t cutting it. My mom has really cheap Wi-Fi and I have a cheap prepaid phone, seeing those phones and laptops calling out to me I swear my mouth watered.

Rule number four. Never hit a tech store. They always have more security than you think.

“Not here, too risky,” Casta said as I eyed the store.

“But I want it,” I whined.

“No, come on.” She pulled me away.

I was determined. I was going to get me a new phone. I pulled out of her grasp and went inside.

“Zara!” she whisper-yelled after me before sighing and following me.

“Looking for something in particular?” a sale person asked.

“Nope, just looking.” I smiled.

“Let me know if you need any help.” He said before walking to greet someone else.

“Zara come on, let’s go.” Casta tugged my arm.

“Hold on I’m looking.” I pulled away.

She cursed under her breath. I set my eyes on the latest Ipad. Both the phone and a computer rolled in one. It was perfect. It even came with one of those smart pencils. I even saw my chance. A sales clerk opened the glass case and stood nearby showing it to a potential customer.

Just then a large group of rowdy girls came in, definitely rich and posh. They distracted all the sales clerks. I quickly bent down and grabbed two shoving them in my purse. Then I grabbed Casta and snuck out while the crowd lingered by the door.

Those stupid alarms went off, and Casta and I ran into the restroom to get away.

“Holy shit, you are crazy!” She laughed.

“Got you one too.” I handed her one.

My heart was racing, in a good way. The adrenaline made me feel alive. I loved the rush. I think that is why Casta steals too.

“Let’s get out of here before our luck runs out.” She said.

I agreed.

I opened the door and walked out and smacked into someone.

“Hey watch it,” I complained.

“Sorry.” She said.

I’d recognize that voice anywhere.

Rosey.

We both froze and stared at each other.

“Zara we got to go.” Casta tugged on me.

“Right,” I said slowly walking around Rosey.

I turned and looked at her one last time, she looked at me. We stared at each other. I had so much to say, but at that moment I was too afraid to say anything at all. My heart was racing but for a different reason. If Casta hadn’t dragged me away I would have stayed frozen there.

Even as we got in the car I was still stuck, I looked back at mall knowing Rosey was still inside.

“Who was that?” Casta asked.

“No one.” I started the car.

“The same no one who said you had pretty eyes?”

I clenched the steering wheel. She took the hint and turned on the radio.

We got back to the house with plenty of time to spare. So after we set our stash down we took back the cleaning equipment to Walmart. When we got back I still in a funk. All I could think about was Rosey how we couldn’t even say hi to each other. How we avoid each other now in public. How we don’t want to be seen together. My heart ached and I felt myself turning sad.

Casta was enjoying the fruits of our labor. She always wanted a tablet for her art.

“Come on, stop being a sad sap or I’m leaving.” She shook me.

“Okay, okay.” I sighed opening my own tablet.

Even still I found myself unable to let it go. I clenched the box in my hand so hard it bent under the pressure. Just when I thought I had left my old messy life behind, it showed up at my doorstep.

Literally.

There was a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it!” I called to my mom who was barely getting up and out of bed.

When I opened the door there stood Blythe. She was as stunning as ever. Still the same beauty as always. Her grey eyes lit up in excitement when she saw me. My heart skipped a beat.

“Blythe! What are you doing here?” I embraced her.

“Aw, Zar I missed you too.” She hugged me back.

“What? How? Why?” I pulled back.

“Well, I wanted to surprise you. It’s summer now and I am free to do whatever the hell I want, even drive several hours to visit you.” She pinched my cheek.

“Come in.” I stepped aside.

“Wow, you guys redecorate?” she asked.

“Sort of.” I shut the door.

“Who was it?” mom asked coming out of the restroom.

“Hey.” Blythe waved at her.

“Aw sweety, I didn’t know you were coming.” She embraced Blythe.

“Surprise.” She smiled.

Casta came out of the room to see the commotion.

“I wish I could stay and catch up, but duty calls. Stay the night if you want. I was going to take tomorrow off to spend with the girls.” Mom rubbed Casta’s shoulder.

“Sure, if Zar doesn’t mind.” She smirked at me.

“Of course not, you know how I feel about you.” I rolled my eyes.

“Emm hmm.” Her gaze fell on Casta and she narrowed her eyes.

Some things never change.

“Well I’ll leave you two to catch up I have to get ready.” She turned and walked to her room.

“Who this?” Blythe asked once the three of us were alone.

“Down girl, this is Casta, my friend,” I said.

“Nice to meet you,” Casta said with a sort of bite to it. I raised an eyebrow at her.

“I’m Blythe I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”

“Maybe once or twice.” Casta shrugged.

Blythe glared at her.

“Okay! So, why don’t we head back to my room.” I said breaking up the tension.

The three of us walked in and Casta and I reclaimed our spots on the stretched out Futon, Casta purposely spread out leaving no room for Blythe. I eyed her in confusion. Blythe had other plans. She crawled over to me and sat on my lap.

“Hey, I can’t see now.” I giggled.

“The views right here.” Blythe flirted.

I saw Casta roll her eyes.

“I’ve missed you.” Blythe took my glasses off my face.

“I’ve missed you too,” I admitted.

She leaned in and kissed me like it was no big deal. My heart skipped several beats but I knew better and quickly pulled away.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“What?”

“You broke up with me,” I said.

“So? You single?” she smirked.

“Blythe, I don’t know if I’m ready for another relationship after everything,” I admitted.

“Well Rose is out of our lives and we are free to be happy.”

“I saw her today.”

She was silent.

“At the mall, we bumped into each other. It was really awkward. We didn’t even say hi to each other.” I said.

“So that’s who that was,” Casta said reminding us she was still very much in the room.

Blythe sighed and glared at her.

“Blythe, I just, I don’t know. Plus you live like really far away now. Can you really trust me with long distance?” I asked.

“Do you think you can do it?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” I looked away.

“You're still so cute.” She smiled.

“Blythe,” I said seriously.

“Fine. Have it your way, we will stay just friends.” She rolled her eyes.

“I just need more time.” I squeezed her hands in my own.

“Don’t make me wait forever.” She said with a sad look on her face.

“I won’t.”

She smiled and then leaned into to kiss me again. I kissed her back but pulled away before things could get heated. She again sighed.

I smacked Casta on the leg and forced her to sit up to make room. She did. Then I scooched over and let Blythe sit next to me.

“Look.” Casta showed me her tablet.

On it was a quick sketch of me. It was really good.

“Wow! Holy cow Casta. This is amazing.” I said in awe.

“Thanks to you. Maybe now I have an actual chance as an artist. You’re the best.” She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I felt my face flush and looked to Casta with a confused look. She’s never done that before. Her own cheeks flushed.

“Let me see.” Blythe snatched the tablet out of my hands.

We both turned to her.

“Not bad.” She gave an indifferent shrug.

“Not bad are you kidding, you should see her other stuff. She’s great. I’d pay for her art that’s for sure.” I said.

“Look at that my first customer.” She playfully nudged my shoulder.

“Where’d you get this stuff anyway?” Blythe asked indicating to the small pile of random stolen stuff.

“We stole it.” Casta shrugs as if it was no big deal.

I slapped her in the shoulder and gave her a look before turning back to Blythe. She crossed her arms and eyed me.

“What? It was a onetime thing, I just wanted a tablet.” I defended myself.

“Besides not everyone is posh and can afford it.” Casta snarked.

“Zara, can I talk to you, alone.” Blythe narrowed her eyes at me.

I sighed and got up giving Casta and apologetic look before following Blythe to our barren backyard.

“What?”

“That girl is bad news. She’s not a good person to hang around with. You shouldn’t get mixed up with her.”

“She’s my friend. It’s because of her that am I even still alive right now. She was there for me when no else was and she is a great person. You don’t know anything about her so back off okay. I may not like her like the way I like you but I’m not just gonna kick her to the curve after everything.”

“Give me a break. She doesn’t care about you she is just using you.” She rolled her eyes.

“Shut up! You have no idea what you are talking about.” I pushed her.

“You have feelings for her?” Blythe asked.

“No! I knew that’s what this was about. I just told you I’m not ready for a relationship. Casta is my friend, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well, she has feelings for you clear as day. Tell her to back the fuck off or I will.”

“We aren’t even together right now! Besides you’re seeing things Casta is my best friend, she doesn’t like me like that.”

“What if she did would you be interested?”

“Blythe! You are just so Ugh!” I grabbed her and I kissed her.

She kissed back.

Old habits die hard.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. I grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. I felt the magic, it was still there even after everything. Every kiss sent an electric shock through me. Every touch sent off an explosion. I was still very much in love with her.

When we broke apart I rested my head on her shoulder.

“I love you,” I said.

“I love you too.” She said still trying to catch her breath.

“I’m not ready yet. I’m still hurting on the inside. I still need time to figure myself out. Please just wait for me. I’m not going anywhere Blythe. I don’t like her like that. I can’t think of anyone like that, not after everything, not after how I feel about you.”

“I came here for one reason only. This time apart from you has let me think. You’ve always been there, never a day went by where I knew I wasn’t going to see you soon. Be it to bully you, or to love you. It was sort of a shock to be forced to live without you in my life. It made me think of what I really want. I came here to show you that I still want you, I still love you. I came here because I want you back in my life.”

“I’m not ready.”

“I know. I know. Just, hurry up will you. I want our happily ever after already. I’m ready.”

“Healing takes time. I can’t rush it. After seeing Rose today I was reminded that I still have a long way to go. Just give me some time. That’s not to say I don’t want you in my life because I do. I’ve missed you. I miss talking to you. You can still call me, come visit whenever you want. I want you in my life too.” I pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“Okay, I can do that. I’ll wait for you.” She smiled.

I smiled at her and then I kissed her lightly. She kissed back. Then we walked back inside hand in hand.

“Everything okay?” mom asked almost ready to leave for work.

“Yeah, everything’s great.” I smiled.

“Are you two?”

“Nope, just friends. Unfortunately.” Blythe sighed.

“I see. Well, I’m glad you guys worked everything out. I’ll be leaving soon.” Mom said looking for her car keys.

“On the counter,” I called.

“Ah, thanks.” She grabbed them.

We headed back to my room. Casta was still playing with her tablet. Blythe glared at her. I elbowed her and shot her a look. She rolled her eyes.

“Trouble in paradise?” Casta asked.

“Nope.” I sat next to her.

“So can I spend the night again, it being summer and all the hangout is sort of like an oven. We haven’t had any money to buy fuel for the generator.”

“Of course. You know you don’t ever have to ask.”

“Well, I just thought with her here.”

“The couch is still available.” Blythe snapped.

I shot her a look.

“On second thought maybe I’ll just go to the hangout.”

“Hey, come on. Blythe is all bark, mostly.” I rested my hand on hers.

“Mostly.” Blythe reiterated.

“You sure?”

“Of course, besides what would I do without my fair lady,” I said in a posh accent.

“Right you are my kind sir. You would be lost without me.” she pretended to faint.

I laughed and playfully pushed her. Blythe scoffed.

We horsed around for a little bit before I saw Blythe getting irritated, then I forced her to join by tagging her and running off with Casta. She chased us. She didn’t like it but she did it anyway. Blythe may not like Casta now, but I know she’ll come around. Casta is too nice to hate. Who wouldn’t love Casta?