Thief

I couldn't go home with Amir after saying my goodbyes. We all went to the library with the project group members. Because it is a research project, we must do it together.

"So we need to think of three research topics. That's what we should focus on first," Our leader Aika began to speak. It's really good that we have the top 1 in the class.

We are already in grade 12 and about to graduate, so I am also studying hard. I'm third in our class, so I may brag a little, but I'm still well behind in the overall standings. Amir is a genius; he is ranked first in their class and first overall.

I would have been thrilled if he was in my class, but because I enrolled late, I ran out of slots, which is fine because my best friend is the smartest in our class.

"Lia you're spacing out." I looked at the person next to me. Claire is also a member of ours. "Aika has been calling you for a while."

"What is it?" I asked Aika.

He looked at me and smiled. "Have you thought of a topic?"

I shook my head. "I'm still thinking," I just said even though there was nothing. I looked at Joshua who was just playing with his ball pen so I kicked him in the leg.

He was surprised and looked at us. When he looked at me, I widened my eyes at him. "Hey, what's your contribution? Have you thought of something? or are you thinking?"

His nose wrinkled. "What should I think? It's empty. I'll just contribute food as my share," he suggested.

I just shook my head at his answer. With so many classmates who will be part of our group, why is he the one who stuck with us? Good thing Aika is here.

"When we defend and you don't answer anything, you're done. You'll fail, you'll lose your car," I threatened.

Joshua is rich, and the type of guy who is happy-go-lucky, and he's too lazy to study.

"One's grade is everyone's grade, right?" Claire asked.

"That's right, instead of finishing here, you're still chatting," Tricia defiantly told us.

It was also unfortunate that she became my group mate. Because she likes Amir a lot and she's always jealous even though I don't do anything with her. Amir and I are just best friends. Even in class, she deals with competence. When she was once ahead on top, she was bragging about it, but of course, I didn't pay attention to that.

I'm not the type of person to pay attention to such childish acts.

"Why, did you think of something?" I asked her.

She raised an eyebrow at me. "Of course there is," she said while holding up a piece of paper with the topic she thought of written on it. She handed it to Aika and showed it.

I simply became tired as I concentrated on my work. We talked for an hour and then relaxed in the library for a bit after finishing some part of the research.

I open an app to check for messages. I looked for Amir's name and informed him that we were done. He stated that he will pick me up. We kept ourselves busy while waiting by chatting.

A few more hours went by. "Let's go first, Lia, what time is it?"

I looked at the time displayed on my phone and it was five in the afternoon.

"It's Five PM"

I nodded and said their farewell.

"Amir will pick you up?"

I looked up and saw that Tricia was glancing at my phone. I avoided that and frowned at her question.

"Yes, why?"

"None," she replied as she calmly left.

I just shook my head at her actions. I looked at my phone again and waited for Amir's message which was just now seen.

I frowned a while ago when I sent a message, but just seen it now. What is this man doing?

I quickly answered the call when suddenly my phone rang and rang loudly so I looked at the librarian who looked at me badly. I winced and apologized.

"Amir, are you busy? Where are you now?"

"Sorry, I'm at a party but I'm on my way. I just need to finish this."

Party? He didn't mention anything to me.

"Huh? Party? What party?"

There was noise around for a while so I took the phone away from my ear and put it back again.

"It's nothing, just a party held by my parents. It will be over just wait for me there."

I immediately objected. "No way! You have a party there, I can go home."

"No."

"Where is that party?"

"Just in Quillon hotel."

I was amazed at what I heard. Quillon hotel? That's the most expensive hotel! My best friend is really rich. If only you could adopt.

"You can be right there. You're the rich one." When will I be able to enter such an expensive hotel? Maybe even if I work forever I won't be able to afford to stay there.

"Shh."

I laughed at his reaction. I can't even see him, but that man is making fun of me. He doesn't want to squander their wealth because it belongs to his parents and not his. Gosh, he will also inherit.

I stood up from my chair and walked out of the library. "Oh hey-hey, I'm leaving. Don't bother picking me up, just enjoy yourself at the party, bye!"

"Wait--" I didn't wait for him to answer and ended the call. He assured me that he would never let me go home alone if something were to happen to me.

When I got out of the campus, I walked to the corner where you can rent a jeep. I immediately stopped the jeep that was not full and got in there.

I paid the fare and waited until we got close to our village. After getting off, I rode a tricycle again to enter our village. It's as boring as walking.

I arrived at my house in a short time. I walked to the gate and was surprised to notice that the gate was open. I just shrugged it off, because the gate is also rotten.

I also walked into the house and that's when I stopped when I turned the door handle. I was so sure that I locked the door.

I was immediately overcome with nervousness but I tried to calm myself down and looked for something to stick with. When I saw a thick wood I took it and prepared myself.

I quickly opened the door and looked to see if anyone was there. I didn't see anything except my broken things. I was almost depressed at what I found.

Hell! What kind of thieves they are! My things are almost old and they have no use in my house. It would be good if they steal like Amir, at least they will get a lot of money. I shuddered at the thought, they weren't going to rob it either, maybe they'd already run out before they could get in.

I didn't let my guard down and went around the first floor when I saw no one, I went up to the second floor, and just like on the first floor, my things were also destroyed.

I hurried to my closet and looked for my biggest necklace. I was relieved to see it was still there. I sat down weakly and almost cried hugging the necklace. These were my only memories of my mom. This house, the furniture everything, I didn't change a single one even though they were almost dying because these are my only memories of my parents, my mom.

Now, in just a snap it's all gone.

I bent down and pulled myself together. I let myself process what happened and find encouragement.

After thinking about it for a while, I called Amir. He answered it in less than a few seconds.

"Where are you?" he immediately opened up to me.

"In my messy house?"

"What?"

"Everything is a mess, Amir. It's a good thing I didn't lose the necklace, even if that's all. Why does this have to happen? I'm nothing but why? Am I that unlucky, Amir?"

"Aia..." Just hearing him say my name makes me comfortable.

"Can you come now, Amir? Please? I'm sorry for disturbing, but I need you now," I pleaded.

"You will never be a bother, my Aia, don't worry I'm on my way."

My Aia...

I smiled. "Still I'm so lucky to have you."

While waiting, I just put my head on the knee that I hugged. I let myself drown in silence.

I don't know what time it is now, but that's how I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Amir easily run towards me. There was concern in his eyes and then he rushed to hug me.

I let his warmth envelop me and stayed in silence. It feels good that he's here.

He broke away from me and kissed my cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm so happy that you're here," I admitted.

"I thought something happened to you," he said worriedly and hugged me again.

"Who did this? Why do they have to do this? This is the only thing that worries my parents, they have destroyed it."

"don't worry I'll find those jerks, okay?" he asked seriously but I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, Amir," I sincerely said while looking into his eyes. I always find my comfort whenever I look at his deep brown eyes.

He removed some of the hair that was covering my face and looked at me intently. I closed my eyes at his caress on my cheek.

"Amir.." I couldn't help but mention it.

He blinked and seemed to realize how close our position was. He moved slightly away and held me in both hands to help me stand up.

"I can't let you stay here," he suddenly said.

I looked at him in wonder. "Huh? That's not possible. I don't have anywhere else to stay either."

"No, just listened to me. We don't know who did this or if they plan to return. I can't risk your safety here," he explained.

"But--" I was stunned to see how serious he was.

I nodded sadly. "Where will I stay? I don't have any other rent to pay."

"Don't worry Aia, I got this. Just bring some of your clothes."

I didn't do anything except the sounding he ordered. I don't know what will happen now but I'm thankful that Amir is here.

Maybe I can't live if Amir is not here.