Once a Thief, Always a Thief

Total Thief | Maia

I'm peacefully seated on the comfiest couch ever, it's as if a pool of marshmallows lie beneath me. The soft, fluffy white fabric above my legs provides me with warmth and security. I never wanna leave my living room.

As if right on cue for ruining my tranquility, my phone beside me buzzes with urgency. Groaning, I reach for it and bring it into view, revealing a text from my best friend, Phoebe.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐛𝐞 !!
𝐏𝐁𝐉: 𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐚, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?
𝐌𝐄: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐛𝐬?
𝐏𝐁𝐉: 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰?

Rather than continuing our messaging, I hit the call button immediately in hopes of winning her over.

"God no. Absolutely not."

"Please Mai? My stepdad is coming earlier than planned and I can't be working the only time he's here."

"You know I don't work the cafe Sundays. One; it's literally the worst shift. Two; I tutor, Sundays."

"Okay yes that is true, but were you not smiling in delight yesterday over the fact you're free from early tutoring tomorrow? I'm only on the opening shift so you have time!"

"Yeah, gotta pass on that Pheebs."

"C'mon Mai, you'll get more money," her voice higher than usual in an attempt to convince me.

"Despite how convincing that is, I could actually use the break. Can't you get Easton to cover for you?"

"Nope he's busy."

I contemplate whether or not I should before finally coming to a decision.

"Okay yeah sure," I finally give in.

"Seriously?? I literally love you so much Maia. Mwah you're the best."

"Yeah yeah, be grateful I love you."

"No seriously, I promise I'll take over whatever shift you need next time. But I won't be coming home to the apartment tonight, see you in two days! Love you Mai love"

"Love you PB"

Ending the call, I sigh, "God I hate the rush hour shift." I lay my head back and groan into my hands. "She's lucky I'd do anything for her" I murmur aloud to myself.

・・・・・・

My alarm clock screams a deafening reminder for me to wake up and I feel my ears start to bleed. I roll onto my stomach, flopping my exhausted body on my bed. I muffle a scream into my pillow. I roll back onto my back and pause before getting up. Looking at my bright alarm clock, the time reads 6:14. I reach out for my phone on the nightstand beside me, reading the texts Pheebs sent me on her shift.

𝐏𝐁𝐉: 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 @ 𝟔:𝟒𝟎, 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟕

We live about 10-15 minutes away from the cafe, I time it right, I arrive perfectly on time. Looking through my rusty old dresser, I search for my work outfit, only to find absolutely nothing.

"Where the hell is that damn apron??" I swiftly rustle through my clothes in a grave panic. I swear to god if I don't find it. Then it hit me. I left it in the wash since I wasn't expecting to work today.

"Fuck this sucks." I throw my hands down and decide to just wear the uniform without it, maybe borrow one meant for new trainees. The time now reads 6:21. Well now I gotta go.