Clever Thief (a)

<Elsie's Point of View>

Shopping is not my hobby. You could say I'm anti-shopping. I'm not the right person to talk to about the latest and greatest brands, or what color to wear at a party. There are only 'yes' or 'that's good' or also 'hm, that's okay' that come out of my mouth every time my friends ask for their opinion about the things they are going to buy. That's why Isabelle is very useful and suitable as a shopping partner. The red-haired girl knows exactly when to wear khakis, miniskirts, stilettos, wedges, crop tees, and so on. Usually, she can spend hours and drain her savings for fun shopping.

I'm dying of boredom following four of my friends in and out of the store in the mall while sorting out clothes or shoes. Trust me, I don't want to buy anything. I told you I hate shopping. They got me wrong here. Even when the others dabbled in high heels and dresses, all I did was wander around not knowing what to buy. My eyes caught the image of a familiar young man circling the uncoated mannequins in the men's room. My eyes met his for a moment. But it didn't last long because I looked away, turning towards the accessories place.

My gaze fell on the rows of bracelets looped on iron bars next to the statues of women filled with accessories. I pursed my lips and a sneaky thought escaped my skull. I picked up one bracelet, removed the price tag so the burglar alarm wouldn't be detected at the exit later, then quickly put it on. I took a good look at a bracelet that had wrapped around my right hand with beads made of cheap fake crystal. Cheap stuff like this means nothing to me. I could buy trolleys of bracelets like this, but somehow stealing is my preferred option.

"Put the bracelet back on or pay at the cashier." Someone grabbed my hand so hard that I screamed in pain. I looked back, to find Jace who was already standing next to me still clutching my wrist.

"Let me go," I hissed pulling my hand away from him.

"Pay at the cashier," he repeated, pointing to the bracelet I was wearing with his chin. "Or would you rather I call security?"

"Just report me, I don't care." I kept trying to pull my hand from his strong grip even though he wasn't willing to let go. Instead, his eyes glared at me. "Let me go!"

"You criminal-brained girl." He tried to drag me towards the exit of the shop which was guarded by security. I struggled and cursed, to the point of becoming the center of attention of the shoppers.

"You need to be handed over to security, Little lady," he said again.

In the end, I managed to get my hands off him as Jace turned his attention to my comrades who were screaming hysterically at his name in awe. Perfect time to run away.

"I'm not a 'little lady', morron." And I spit right in his face. Only then did I run out of the big shop, towards the escalator to avoid the possibility of being chased by security.

Unlucky. Jace needs to be taught a lesson it was wrong to start a fire in my wick.