1:

I was hungry.

That's how everything started. With my growling stomach. It was a rainy, humid day in mid July when I stole the sub sandwich. It was one of those stores behind a gas station that I targeted. As the ships buzzed in and out, I casually walked inside, just some thirteen-year-old kid whose parents were probably refueling their ship. Except I didn't have parents.

Inside was a man, tall and blonde, was running the cash register. With him behind the counter was a little girl, about eleven I guess. She had large blue eyes and wavy blonde hair and she was playing with a cowgirl doll. She looked up at me.

Ignoring her, I made my way to the freezer in the back. I could still feel her eyes boring holes in the back of my fuzzy, green head. Who cared though?

Using the best of my skills, I slipped a wrapped chicken sub into my jacket. When you have to steal to live, it's either learn to pickpocket the right way or starve. Turning, I almost collided with the little girl.

"Hi!"

"Oh, um, hi." I said. I just wanted to get out of there so I could eat for the first time in days. But as I walked toward the door, she followed.

"Do you like cowboys?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like cowboys?" She repeated.

"Sure, kid." Cowboys? What was she on?

"I love cowboys!" She continued. "I want to be a Cowgirl when I grow up!"

"That's nice."

Suddenly, she stepped in front of me, blocking the door. I tried to move around her, but she kept sidestepping every move I made.

I was growing frustrated, but before I could snap, she stood on her toes to get eye level with me. "I think you're cute!"

Didn't see that coming. "Huh? Wha…"

"I said," She repeated. "I think you're cute!"

Time to go! I finally made it around her, but she pulled on my sleeve. "Wait!"

"Hey, stop! You're going to rip it!"

"Wait!" She begged. "Don't go!"

I was right. The sleeve tore from the jacket and I fell backward into a magazine rack. It tipped over with a loud noise.

Through the shower of 'Playboys' and 'Bounty Hunter Todays' I could see the blonde man step out. He looked furious.

For a moment I couldn't figure out why. It was his kid that made me topple into the rack! Be mad at her! But then I realized. The sub had fallen out of my jacket.

He yanked me to my feet. "Boy, you're in a lot of trouble!"

I'm always in trouble, I thought sourly. Why should today be any different? The blonde girl was looking at me sorrowfully.

"I'm sorry!" She said. "I'm really sorry!" To the man, she said, "Can't you let him go, Daddy? Please?"

"No! If I do, this punk will probably steal again!"

I shrugged. "A guy's gotta eat!"

"Well, not from my place!" He snarled, dragging me to an office in the back. He pushed me inside. "You stay there until the police arrive!"

The last thing I saw before the door slammed and locked was the girl again. She looked really sorry, and though I was pissed, I couldn't really bring myself to be furious.

Ten minutes later, I was being led from the store by a cop. Before I ducked into the squad car, Blondie ran out. Her father called after her angrily, but she ignored him as she wrapped her arms around me.

I was startled. Should I push her off or hug her back or what? Before I had a chance to decide, the man was dragging her back inside. "Wait until I tell your mother! What has gotten into you lately anyway, Judy?"

As I slid inside the cruiser, I felt a lump in my jacket. I pulled it out. It was the sub, squashed, but still edible. Looking at the store, I saw the girl in the giant glass window. She gave a small little wave.

I waved back. And then I had lunch.