Gold Rush

Chapter six

Almost two weeks into the planning, Charlotte wasn't needed in the team that much, since Nine was handling everything just fine, so she was free to leave at least for the mornings to deal with her company.

She walked into the loft and found the team working. In the corner, she saw Lou and Constance plotting something. They had been acting strangely for the past few days, so Charlotte went over to them from behind and asked, "What are you two up to again?"

Lou and Constance both jumped and just brushed her off. What Charlotte didn't know was that Constance had been teaching Lou how to steal the way she did. They were keeping it a secret so Lou could try it out on one of her friends later.

Since they didn't want to tell her, Charlotte went to see what Debbie needed. Later that evening, Lou felt like she was a master of pickpocketing. Constance secretly pointed to Charlotte and gave Lou a hint that she should try it out on her.

So Lou came closer to Charlotte, who was working on her laptop, and sat next to her. She started doing all the pickpocketing tricks that Constance had taught her. But in the middle of her mission to steal Charlotte's bracelet, Charlotte looked at her hand and then at Lou and said,

"Honey, I think you should go back to Constance and get another stealing lesson," Charlotte said with a sarcastic undertone. "I appreciate your try but it's still not quite there."

Lou was caught off guard and took Charlotte's hand and said, "What are you talking about? I just wanted to admire your gorgeous bracelet. What's wrong with that?"

Lou quickly left the room and Charlotte could hear Constance and Lou whisper-yelling about what had just happened. She laughed and continued working.

Constance: "What happened? Did you get it?"

Lou: "No! She caught me in the act."

Constance: "Well, we'll just have to keep practicing then."

Lou: "Yeah, I guess so. But it's not like I'm trying to become a professional pickpocket or anything."

Constance: "Oh come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

Lou: "My sense of adventure does not involve getting caught stealing from my friends."

Constance: "Well, maybe you just need to be sneakier."

Lou: "Or maybe you just need to teach me better."

Constance: "Hey, I taught you everything I know. It's not my fault if you can't pull it off."

Lou: "Oh, so now it's my fault?"

Constance: "I didn't say that. I'm just saying that maybe you need more practice."

Lou: "Well, maybe I do. But I don't think Charlotte is the best target for me to practice on."

Constance: "Yeah, you might be right about that. We'll have to find someone else for you to try it out on."

Their conversation was witty and playful like two siblings arguing. Charlotte couldn't help but smile as she listened to them.