Be Gay Do Crime (I'll come up with a better name for it later)

Chapter One

Bianca happily sauntered down the streets of Pasadena with a new swing in her step. She reached her apartment without any questioning glances and considered that the 'all clear' signal for her now closing adventure. She carefully set the portfolio down on the dining room table and quickly searched the apartment. Empty. Her roommate, Emily, must still be at work. She pounced onto the couch with her favorite soft blanket and the book she was reading. She pressed play on her headphones and dissolved into another reality.

She was brought back by a sharp ringing sound. Bianca jumped, dropping her book. She pulled on her headphone cord to fish her phone out of the couch, this was weird, nobody ever called her. She glanced curiously at the screen, it was her brother, Hector.

She pressed answer, "Hello?"

"Bianca it's me, have you heard what happened?" There was no sorrow in his voice, only fascination from what Bianca could detect.

"I've been in classes all day." She lied, "Why? What happened?"

"Do me a favor and turn on the tv." Hector told her, "Doesn't matter which one, it's everywhere."

"Alright?" She did as she was asked. She was still confused as to why her brother had called her when they haven't spoken since Christmas, but as soon as the screen flickered on, she understood.

"Police are still unsure how exactly the painting was stolen as the robbery of Monet's masterpiece took place only hours ago." The news reporter was saying, "The museum is currently shut down due to investigation, and officials say it will not be reopened until late May. Furthermore-"

Bianca dropped the remote, feeling numb. Police were already at the museum investigating her robbery. Of course the police are there, what did she expect? She stole a famous painting from a famous museum!

"Bianca? Are you still there?" Hector asked.

"Yeah, I'm here." Her voice was airy and weak, "That's really cool."

"I know right! Mom and Dad don't care- you know how they are- but I knew you would appreciate this stuff. I'm surprised you didn't know yet the internet's been going crazy about it."

That did not make Bianca feel better, "Thanks." Her eyes drifted to the portfolio that rested on the tiny dining table, "Hector, I gotta go. Talk to you soon?"

He sounded slightly disappointed, "Okay. Miss you!"

"I miss you too." she responded absentmindedly, and hung up the phone. She carefully picked up the folder and took out the Evening Effect. Her nervous expression morphing into something softer as she gazed at the waterlilies; there was something about that painting that was very calming to her. The brushstrokes gave the image a fuzzy haze to it, making it look like she was peering into a daydream. The TV was still on and the reporter was still talking about the Norton Simon's security. She took a deep consoling breath, the cops still don't have a lead yet it's fine, she just has to lay low. Bianca went to move the painting onto the top shelf of her closet, pride swelling up inside her. She took that, the painting's hers now.

The sound of the front door unlocking made Bianca panic. She forcefully slammed her closet door shut and ran back into the living room as if she'd been there the whole time.

Emily passed her by without a word and went straight to the kitchenette.

"Hi." Bianca called over to her.

Emily stopped and turned around, surprised, "Oh hey, I didn't see you there."

"I had the day off from work." Bianca explained.

"Cool." Emily said, disinterested. She grabbed a water from the fridge and retreated to her room, leaving Bianca alone.

✧ ✧ ✧

For the next three days, Bianca's heist was the talk of the town.

People would come to the coffee shop in pairs, murmuring their rumors and theories about what really happened. Those who came by themselves would try to spark conversation with her about the robbery. Bianca didn't want to be rude so she'd smile and nod while the customers talked. She found herself having to take more frequent breaks due to the extra conversing. Even when she didn't rob a museum, Bianca wasn't exactly the most extraverted person, she could only be around so many people for so long before she needed to recharge.

This week was worse though, with everyone talking about the missing painting, she couldn't shake the paranoia that someone was onto her. Everytime one of her customers brought it up she would tense up. She just hoped no one took notice of it.

Her coworker however, was all over it. At the slightest mention of the Evening Effect she'd start excitedly blabbing to anyone who'd listen. Bianca watched her talk to the woman trying to order, she listened as her coworker spewed incorrect facts about Monet and the impressionist period. Bianca didn't have the energy to correct her, she let out an exhausted breath and glanced up at the clock: 5:00, her shift was up. She wrapped up her final order and slipped out the back door without anyone noticing she'd left.

She tilted her head pack and felt the rays of the setting sun against her cheeks. She loved the walk home from the coffee shop. She started cutting through the park in order to avoid walking past the university, but now it was the highlight of her day, 5-6 was golden hour this time of year, and the park was almost always empty. She slipped her headphones over her ears and hit the play button on her phone. She took in the scenery, feeling at peace for the first time all week.

That was when she saw a dark figure out of the corner of her eye.

She ripped off her headphones and whirled around, finding nothing.

Bianca scanned the park cautiously, she was probably just seeing things. But out of precaution she lowered the volume of her music and picked up her walking pace.

She was almost out of the park when she felt a slight stabbing sensation in the back of her neck.

She didn't even have time to scream, as the world around her was already fading to black.