Author's Notes: This story is purely for pleasure, so don't mind the lack of plot. I apologize to my readers of TWOW and TWtSoA. There have been holidays, tests, and my grandmother died just recently. Please, have pity.

Official Disclaimer: The world of Holes does not belong to me in any form or fashion. Ricci, is mine, however, so hands off! Holes belongs to the talented Louis Sachar.

Chapter One -Guilty

"Ricarra Johnson, you are charged of purposefully trespassing upon private property, stealing a car, and further crashing that samevehicle into a road sign. How do you plead?"

I stopped chewing the gum in my mouth and placed it under my tongue, straightening. "Guilty, Y'Honor." The judge's eyebrows rose at what seemed to be record levels.

"Well, at least you're honest," I heard the judge mutter under his breath. Louder, he said, "Mister Johnson, as you are still sixteen until a few more days, you will be given a choice of where you will serve your sentence. You may go to a juvenile correction camp, or jail. Choose."

"Camp," I decided without much preamble. I ignored that he had called me 'Mister', for I was, in fact, still in my outfit. "How long will I be there?"

"Ricarra Johnson, you are sentenced to Camp Green Lake for twelve months," the judge announced, both answering and ignoring my question. "Case dismissed."

"Well, that was fast," I murmured as the guard placed handcuffs on me. I glanced upwards at the cap atop my head, and shook my head ever so slightly to check if my hair was still up in the bun. As I did so, a stray lock of hair fell upon my face. My mood soured as I struggled to blow it out of my vision, the stubborn thing. I sighed, surrendering quickly. As I became bored, I began to reminisce over my crime.

Flashback

Securing the cap on my head, I looked into my reflection in the mirror, impressed with my own skill. I had successfully cross-dressed properly for my next action. My pants were baggy, and the shoes two sizes too big. I had a white cami (sp?) undershirt and an oversized shirt under an, again, oversized hooded sweatshirt on. I didn't really have to worry about having other people find me out by my breasts. The sweatshirt was large and baggy enough so that nobody could tell.

I hurried down the steps of the orphanage, holding my shoes in one hand so as to make less noise. I slowed near Momma's door, but found her snoring. 'I'm sorry for what I'm about to do, Momma' I thought, directing it towards her. Momma is one of the few people that I actually care about in this place. She's one of the few people that actually care for me as a matter of fact.

End Flashback

I sifted through the memories idly, but ceased as I saw Momma heading towards me. Sobbing, she gathered me up in her arms. She's a rather petite woman, but I only stand at 5'1, so I'm not that much taller.

"Why'd you do it, Ricci?" Momma asked as she rubbed my hair away from my face endearingly.

"I wanted to sell it and get some money for the orphanage, Momma," I replied truthfully. That was my intent. "The orphanage could barely provide for the children. I couldn't stand it. The reason we're still up is 'cause…" Momma looked at me expectantly. "Well, I've been stealin' things and pawning 'em off for a while now. I know you receive the bills monthly. You've been wonderin' why you haven't seen 'em lately. I've been sneakin' off with 'em, and paying 'em with the money I get from pawning. I'm sorry, Momma, I really am." Momma was crying. I rarely cried, but that day, I shed a few tears. I felt guilty for making Momma cry. Everyone calls her Momma in our orphanage, since she's the closest thing to a real mother we've ever had. Momma's a gentle-hearted soul, and she cares for each and every one of the orphans at Harbor, our orphanage. She even takes care of the ungrateful ones.

"Come and visit us after you've finished your sentence, now?" she implored. I nodded, and put my head on her shoulder. I would've hugged her, except my hands are cuffed behind me.

"A'ight, I will, Momma," I answered with one of my rare genuine smiles. As the guard pulled me away with my stuff hung from his shoulders, I took a last glance at Momma. "'Bye!" I yelled over my shoulder. I would've waved too, if my hands weren't cuffed.

Someone once said to look forward to the future and face what's gonna happen. That's what I'm going to do. I looked up, and narrowed my eyes at the filthy yellow school bus in front of me. What a bright future I have.