"Yes," I replied as I look into the eyes of my high school counselor. "I am a kleptomaniac." My counselor, a large round, and plump woman of the ripe age of sixty-nine years old looks at me over the rim of her spectacles, very unamused with my complete deadpan confession.

Mrs. Jameson or, the old bat as I like to call her, simply sighs and shakes her head. We've been having this conversation since I became a freshman four years ago and I'm almost positive we'll have it at least another hundred times before I graduate in June.

"Amber," The old bat, a.k.a. Mrs. Jameson a.k.a. my mother starts. "You really need to get this little hobby of yours under control..." I roll my eyes and zone out at that. A long, exhausted sigh escapes me and I lean forward in my chair, resting my chin on my palm. I look around the small and shabby office I've learned to call a second home. It only seems fitting considering how much time I spend here.

If it's a hobby I guess that means I'm pretty messed up.

The sound of cackling draws my eyes towards the sole window in the office. Beside the window, leaning against the wall is a tall, cloaked figure wearing nothing but black. A hood covers their face and their arms are crossed over their chest. Goosebumps rise over my flesh.

"We both already know how messed up you truly are." Their voice is oddly vibrant and nothing like what normal humans would be. I still haven't gotten used to it. I don't think I ever truly will and I click my tongue in annoyance.

"-ber. Amber! Are you even listening to me?" My mother's shrill voice has me focusing back on her. My eyes scan over the woman sitting in front of me once more. Greying hair, pale and wrinkled skin, a deep set pair of green eyes that we share. A woman who has a sharp tongue and an even sharper personality that's focused on nothing but appearance.

"Yeah, I get it," I said as I stand and grab my bag. I brush aside some brown strands of hair that fall into my face. "I won't screw up your perfect image." Swinging the bag over my shoulder I finish, "Don't worry, I'll keep my hobby in check." I spit out the word like it's acid before turning on my heel and walking out of the office.

My little friend follows me out.

"You realize you're only making your situation worse, right? If she keeps any tighter a leash on you, you won't be able to work." They keep stride with me. That's all they are. A 'they'. No positive gender. No actual name. Just a being that is.

I ignore them as they speak and continue to navigate my way around the hallways and countless students that linger in them.

"If you can't work, then you can't make your payments." They continue to speak and I feel my nerves slowly being whittled away. The day has already gone to shit with that meeting.

If that stupid, little, twat hadn't made such a big deal about me taking their pencil none of this would have happened.

I grind my teeth in annoyance as I remember this morning.

"If you can't make a payment, then you-"

"I know," I growled out, bringing my thumb to my mouth. I start nibbling on the already nonexistent nail. If I can't get my payments in, I'll be screwed. They become quiet for a long moment before speaking up,

"That's what you get for making a deal with the devil."

"Yeah, how stupid of me," I said as I get to my locker and lean against the cool metal. My eyes scan the crowd looking for something that'll catch my eye. Something that'll catch the eye of the devil.

"That." They said and my head whips around to find them pointing in one direction. To Trenton Jacobs. Boy genius and musician prodigy. "He will be very pleased with the boys newest piece. Take it." When I look back to my left my little friend is no longer with me. My all-seeing green eyes land back on the genius and I take everything in.

Beautiful baby blues. Soft looking brown locks that just barely curl at the tips. Slightly tanned skin. Well built. The perfect height that'll match me just right. My eyes move to his lips and I run my index finger along mine, a smile curving the corners.

"I can do that," I said before starting my hobby.

***

"Trenton Jacobs," I said as I approach boy wonder. He looks at me and away from his music book, no doubt studying all of the notes for his next violin performance. His eyes widen when he sees me. They look all around as if expecting me to be calling someone else. "That's right, I'm talking to you," I said and, when I'm close enough, I lean into him, forcing him back into the lockers.

I carefully peer around and into his locker, looking for my target. It's sparse, though, with barely any papers or books in it. My tongue clicks again in annoyance before I look back towards Trenton.

"It's your lucky day Mr. Prodigy." I slam his locker closed and pluck the book from his hands, effectively focusing all of his attention on me. "I'm spending the whole day with you." A toothy grin spreads across my face. "Consider yourself lucky."

Trenton isn't able to utter a word from shock as I pull him out of the school.

***

"Wait! Stop! Amber, what are you doing?!"

I stop on the sidewalk and turn around, more in surprise that the boy can actually speak. He hadn't said a word the past ten minutes. I actually thought he may be mute for a while there. Lifting an eyebrow in curiosity, I look at Trenton bending over and trying desperately to catch his breath.

"Not the athletic type, I see." I said as I drop his hand and take a step back, giving the boy some space.

"N-no...I'm...I'm really not." He manages to get out and I can't help but smile at that. A minute later he's better and back at full height. "So what is this?" He asked and I go about inspecting my nails.

"What's what?" I asked, playing stupid.

"What's this? You pulling me out of school. We're skipping!"

"Oh, so you know what that is?"

"Yes, I know what that is." He said, sounding offended that I'd think otherwise.

"Good, then let's go," I replied as I grab his hand once more. He groans as I begin pulling him along and I chuckle.

"Go where?" He asked and my eyes flicker to his bag where the music sheets must be before meeting his eyes once more.

"To have fun. You're way to work-oriented Mr. Prodigy." I said and pull him with me. Forcing him to become my hobbies next victim.

***

Surprisingly, I have a lot of fun with Trenton. I'd expected him to be nothing but a spoilsport. Someone who doesn't know how to just let loose and go crazy for a day. I expected him to be some tight ass, but no.

Trenton's actually a pretty funny and cool guy. He's not too bad looking either. Especially when he smiles wholeheartedly. I find myself forgetting my actual goal of getting his music script a number of times, but each time it slips from my mind, my little friend appears in my line of sight, reminding me of why I'm actually here.

Not to play around.

Not to have fun.

I'm here to keep living.

"Wow," Trenton said in exasperation, collapsing on the park bench. I sit beside him, still laughing from earlier, as I wring out the water from my hair. "I never thought playing in the park fountain could be so much fun."

"Then you haven't been living life right, my friend," I said, breathing heavily. Trenton's eyes are sparkling with laughter as he looks to me and I just return his smile. His briefly falls away and he looks down at his violin case. A moment later he stands up, startling me. "What..." My sentence falls away as I watch him pull the violin out of its case as I realize what he's about to do.

"Do you mind? I...I want to express what I'm feeling in some way."

"Go ahead," I said, unable to go against the strong look in his eyes. I sit back in my seat and look to my left where his bag rests. My fingers twitch and I look at Trenton who's messing with his strings before looking back at the bag.

Now's my chance.

I thought as I reach for the bag and pull it into my lap to make things more inconspicuous. My hands search around the inside and I find the paper just as he starts playing. My entire body freezes as the music begins flowing throughout me. As it begins reverberating through every cell within me. I almost stop breathing altogether as I look up and into Trenton's eyes.

He's not just watching me.

He's playing for me.

And it takes me a minute to realize what he's trying to say.

Oh my god.

I bolt up from my seat my fingers falling away from the papers as the bag falls from my lap. Trenton stops playing his song and just looks at me. Daring me to respond what he'd just conveyed to me. I do.

I run.

"Amber!"

I hear him call after me.

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god." I chant over and over and over again as I run because I can't believe what I was just told. "Holy shit!" I said.

"Amber, no!"

I hear a loud horn blare to my right and look over, my eyes widening and pupils shrinking from the bright light shining down on me.

"Watch out!"

A hand shoves me and I hear tires squealing and people screaming and my head smacking against the asphalt. Pain slices through every fiber of my being and I groan. My eyes sting with oncoming tears from the pain and I force myself to sit up.

"My, my, my, this is a precarious situation you've found yourself in." They said and I look up at my little friend. "He will still accept it, though, so I suppose this will do. Well done, you're free of your deal for the next year." They said and leave me.

What? Was that music that valuable?

"Oh my god! Call an ambulance!"

I look over at the shrieking and my world plummets, my stomach sinking. Nausea sparks to life in me as I realize what's so valuable. 

A prodigies life.

Blood. Smeared everywhere and a bitter smell fills my nose as I look at Trenton Jacobs, boy genius and prodigy musician lying underneath the front tire of a truck. Another shriek fills the air and it takes me a minute to realize that it belongs to me. I don't know how many people it takes to calm me down. Too many for me to count. I don't remember much after that except someone asking me my name.

"Amber Jameson. I'm a kleptomaniac who stole a life today."

I hope you all enjoyed! This one just kind of came to me out of nowhere and I got really excited about writing it! Don't forget to vote, comment and share! I love hearing your thoughts!