robbery \\ hs

fourteen

It's been a year. A year since I robbed my first bank. A year since I laid in the grass, staring at the moon with Harry. A year since I kissed him. A year since we lost Louis.

_____

"Drop your weapons, now!" The policemen were yelling at us and getting closer and closer.

I looked at Harry, panicked, he just nodded towards me, as if to say 'just keep going'. I was terrified. What the hell are we supposed to do now?

I hear more yelling as my vision is closing in on me. My hands are shaking. My heart is pounding in my ears. What if one of us dies? What if we get arrested?

BANG!

I look around and see a figure fall to the floor, blood pooling around them. I try to look away, to avoid the face, but there he is.

It's Louis.

That's when I lose it. My breathing is ragged and I can't feel my own body. Harry grabs my hand and pulls me with him as he runs to an exit away from the cops.

We make it outside, to the car and start driving away; far away. We stop and park on the side of a lonely road, he pulls down his bandana, and mine as well, and looks me in the eyes as he says, "Monica, darling, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I didn't want you to have to experience that," his own eyes are filling with tears like mine, "I want you to know that I care about you. And I-"

I cut him off by kissing him, then I tell him, "I'm sorry too. But, Harry, I'm scared. I'm terrified, really. We have to take a break now. From this. So I can become more comfortable and ready. And so we can calm down, and get over Louis. I'm sorry but I just can't do this right now."

"I understand. We need to find a new place to stay, though. Any ideas, love?" He sniffled as he spoke, Louis' death obviously hurting him, too.

_____

Harry and I are now staying in a house that one of his friends owns. His friend's name is Zayn, and he's not a robber (however, he does know about Harry being one) but he is rich. Zayn apparently owns plenty of houses on the west coast. Which is where we are currently. We've been staying in a big house, just outside of Los Angeles. It's quite nice, if I'm being honest.

I've been watching the news a lot lately, during this, sort of, "recovery period" of my new life. I've seen my parents on television, crying for me.

I miss them. I miss them a whole hell of a lot. But I can't just call them.... Can I? Maybe, from a pay phone? Would Harry be angry if I did that? Would I even tell him?

Other people have been on the news, too; claiming that I was in the bank alongside Harry and Louis, with my own gun, demanding money. They're not wrong, I know that. But my parents just won't accept that claim. They are convinced that I've been kidnapped, possibly by Harry.

I hear the door to my room open, after a couple knocks, and then Harry starting to speak, "Monica? Love, are you alright?"

Harry has been especially concerned about me lately. I've been locking myself in my room for days at a time, hardly coming out for food or even the bathroom. The only reason I haven't locked the door today is because I heard Harry talking to Zayn about me, saying how worried he is.

I tilt my head, "I suppose. It's kind of difficult to be away from my family, and then having to watch them cry on national television." I look over at him and smile sadly.

He walks over to sit next to me on my bed. Wrapping his arms around me, kissing my head, he says, "I shouldn't have dragged you into this. I apologize, darling."

"Harry, you know that I chose this, right? I wanted this. I still want this. I want to do these things and I want to be with you."

"Yes. Alright, but, I want you to know that I'm here for you, whenever you need me. And.... I love you, Monica."

My breath hitches in my throat. He loves me? We have been together for a little over a year. We've spent a lot of time together, we've rushed things, but we do care about each other. Do I love him?

"I love you too, Harry." I lean into his body, slightly shaky because of emotion.

"So, how do you feel about getting back into the business, hm? I was thinking something small. Another convenience store? Like where I first saw you?" He chuckled and looked down at me.

I pecked his lips before saying, "Alright.... Tomorrow night? I think I'll be ready by then."

"Sounds good, love. I'll get everything ready, no need to worry. We'll be okay." And with that he gave me another kiss to the forehead, said goodnight, and walked out of my room.

Once the door was closed, I pulled out the box from under my bed. It was quite small, but held very important things to me. The letters I've received from Harry. I pull one particular letter out and read it, over and over and over.

6991

open it, darling.