Criminal Love

Lessons In Pain Tolerance

Lifty stared out the window of Flaky's car, a bored glaze clouding his eyes as they peered out at the surroundings pass by. The redhead was driving the two of them downtown to the local library, not even saying why they were going there in the first place. The library was a place Lifty never went to. After all, what was there to steal in a library expect some dusty old books? He drummed his fingers on the seat's armrest and let out a bored sigh. Flaky heard the exhale and glanced over at him out of the corner of her eye, one eyebrow raised.

"You okay, Lifty?"

Lifty didn't tear his eyes away from the window as he muttered sarcastically, "Oh, I'm just peachy! Being dragged to a place I don't even wanna go to is the best way I'd think to spend my afternoon."

"I-I told you we were going to one of my friends who could help you. Teach you how to be a better person," Flaky frowned, but kept her eyes on the road ahead.

Lifty simply chose not to answer to that, seeing the library straight ahead and waited for the car to stop so he could get out of the small car. Flaky parked her car in the small parking lot next to the building and got out, bounding up the stone steps with surprising speed. She cupped her hands against the glass doors and peered inside for her friend, eyes lighting up happily when she noticed him walking towards her.

"Flippy!"

Flippy opened the library's door and pulled his friend into a hug, a warm smile on his face. "Hey, Flakes. How've you been?"

Flaky felt her pale cheeks turn a light shade of pink as she held the taller boy back, stuttering out, "Well, I'm g-good. But I need your help, my friend does actually."

Flippy let go of the red-haired girl and nodded, "Happy to help. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine!"

"Great! I-"

"Jesus Christ! Why are there so many fuckin' steps?" The friends turned to the sound of Lifty's voice, seeing the man climbing up the top step, panting slightly as he stood, "Need to put in an escalator or something. . ."

The war vet's cheery smile vanished, being replaced by a look of suspicion at the thief's arrival. He put an arm up in front of Flaky, as though to protect her from him. He narrowed his emerald eyes at the other male before them.

"Flaky? Why's the thief here?"

Lifty knelt down, trying to get some air back in tired lungs, and watched as Flaky pushed his arm down and went over to stand by him. He saw her lift up her hand and gestured to him, "He's the friend I was talking about, Flips."

Lifty frowned when Flaky called him friend. Since when were they friends? Since he arrived at her house last night? Since they shared a quiet, awkward breakfast together. If they really were friends, then this was news to him. . .

"I see. Well, it's so. . .great that you got yourself a new friend." Flippy gave the thief a wide fake smile, straining the word friend like it was the worst insult you could call somebody, "What's he need help with? Directions to the nearest jail cell? A good place to rob?"

Flaky didn't seem to get he was only slightly joking and tensed up, eyes going wide as she shook her head frantically, "Oh! No, no. N-Nothing like that. He just needs someone to teach him how to be a good person. I-I'm trying to get him ready for life without his brother."

Flippy nodded and waved his hand to the library, "C'mon in then. We can sit inside and maybe I can help him out. . ."

Flippy opened the door and walked back inside, Flaky following close by. Lifty was still at the top step, still trying to catch his breath. He looked up from the ground and noticed they were gone. He let out an annoyed groan and muttered to himself before going inside.