Shattered Appearances ✓

t w e n t y - s i x: How It All Started Part: 1

I looked up at Rose from my comfortable seat in her office. This has been the first time I have been here in weeks and a strong sense of elation passed over me as I recall all the moments I have been here.

Not very fun moments at all but then again, they weren't the worse.

I don't remember exactly how long it was before I first spoke but I wanted to wait until I was completely ready to utter something that few people knew about me.

My past with Ryan.

Taking one more calming breath, I spoke quietly, "I'm ready."

Rose simply smiled and nodded so I can go on.

"It started two years ago when I was shoplifting. I was getting ready to steal a Hershey's candy bar when he approached me."

"If I was a police officer then you would already be arrested for your sad attempt at sealing that candy bar.."

Startled I jumped up and turned to face the boy who just caught me shoplifting. He looked down and I followed his gaze to see me pathetically attempting to insert a chocolate bar into my pocket.

I scoffed trying to hide my panic, "I wasn't stealing anything."

He laughed and took the chocolate bar away from me. I was about to cuss him out when he shushed me and instructed me to follow him. I knew that I probably shouldn't have followed a stranger but apparently I was stupid back then so I followed him anyway. I watched in amazement as he successfully walked out of the store with a few candy bars without anyone noticing.

After I exited the store he gave me back my candy bar along with two Hershey kisses that he also stole.

"How did you manage to pull that off? I barely got away last time."

"It's all in the technique. You kept looking back and forth before you took the bar which arose suspicion. It's best if you pretend to look at other items which slowly putting your desired item in your pocket. Just make sure no one is around too."

"Back then I saw the playful light in his eyes when he talked about stealing and I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about him, and possibly make a friend. Especially since I was lonely when I was with my father and his family. But now I know that he only cared about himself and he was just using me for his own personal gain."

Rose stayed quiet for a moment before replying, "How did you feel about him using you?"

"Betrayed, hurt, angry. I was in love with him and it was heart-breaking when I found out that he didn't love me back."

I paused for a second before adding, "Let's get on with the story."

"We became friends after that encounter and he would help me steal miniscule items at first before we moved on to the bigger things. Of course I would catch the flirtatious comments that he would make sometimes long with the longing looks that he would give me. I felt better around him, he made me feel wanted."

I looked at Ryan from across the room where he was playing pool with his friends while I was sitting down with a group of women. They were gossiping about their boyfriends I didn't feel like joining them. I noticed how they all wore crop tops and short-shorts along with five inch high heels. They looked beautiful. I glanced down at my dirty converse and my tattered jeans. Feeling self-conscious I took off my jacket to fit in more with the other girls.

Ryan glanced at me from where he was standing and gave me a wink before resuming the game with his friends. I smiled brightly at the thought that a boy could actually like me. Clearly what I was doing was working.