The Thief

1. No Volunteers

Evane

I grab the bowl out of the microwave and practically throw it on the counter. "Ouch," I say rubbing my burned fingers. "Merrik! Your stupid oatmeal's ready."

My brother comes running out of his room only half dressed in his police uniform. "Why is it stupid this time?" Paco, our german shepherd, stands and greets him, but Merrik shoos him away.

"First, it's nasty and second, it scorched my fingers. You're making breakfast tomorrow." I pour myself a bowl of cereal.

"Fine." Merrik shovels the remnants of his food into his mouth. "I gotta go. I'm gonna be late."

"Does the department not require a full uniform anymore? Or clothes for that matter?"

He looks down at himself. "Clothes, right."

I clean up our dishes and he disappears into his room and emerges a minute later fully dressed. He heads for the door.

"Badge," I say as he comes back for his keys.

"Right, badge." He looks around.

"On the couch." I shake my head at him.

"Thanks." He grabs it. "What would I do without you? Bye Paco, love you little sis! Have fun at school!" He's out the door.

"I seriously doubt that'll happen," I say to Paco. The dog gives me a sideways look then goes back to his chew toy. Grabbing my keys and I head outside.

The September air is fresh and clear. Birds sing sweet melodies that intertwine with the sounds of morning. My car barely starts and it squeaks as I pull onto the main road. After a few minutes of driving I glance in the rearview to see a black car speeding up behind me. The road is one lane each way so they have no way to pass me without going into oncoming traffic. I hope they don't try that. I'm already going over the speed limit, how fast do you want to go? If I pull over I'm just going to be more late for school.

A squeal screams into the morning air as they swerve into the left lane, a truck heading straight for them. Truck wails on the horn, idiot accelerates, I press hard on the brake. I don't want to die today, thanks.

Idiot barely makes it out of the way, swerving back into my lane. I take the next right even though it will add a few minutes to the drive. Idiot can go to the hospital if he wants, but he's not taking me with him.

It takes ten more minutes to get to the school. Parking in the first spot I see, I book it for the building. The first bells already rung but hopefully I can make it before the second. When I pass the last row of cars of course Idiot is there, parked illegally. Luckily whoever was driving the car is nowhere in sight otherwise I would have had some words to share with them.

"Late again, Evane," Mr. Erman says when I walk into the classroom.

"Sorry sir, there was this moron on the road and-" I stop. He doesn't care what my excuse is this time. "Never mind."

"Take your seat please."

I trudge to my desk near the back of the class and slump in my seat.

The kid in front of me turns around. "What is it, the third time this week?" he asks.

"Shut up, Tom," it comes out louder than I wanted.

"Evane." Mr. Erman glares at me through his bifocals. "Don't make me ask you again." Sighing, I sink lower in my chair.

The first half of class goes smoothly, or as smoothly as physics can go. I'm not as fortunate for the last half.

"Alright everyone we're having a pop-quiz," Mr. Erman announces. The class moans. "Oh come on, it's an easy one. I'm letting you work with partners so everyone pair up."