The Smoothest Criminals on Earth: Chapter One

Las Vegas -12:30 p.m.

October 30th, 2010

"C'mon April, you could at least come to the store with us."

I looked up at my boyfriend, thinking about his offer. I smiled at him, loving the way his rich chocolate eyes twinkled as he asked me. He knew that made him irresistible, but I continued to play coy. I walked over to him and started twirling the curls on his head with my finger.

"Why, just to watch you guys pick out ridiculous outfits you'll only wear once?"

He giggled as he thought of the whole Halloween Trick-or-Treat concept.

"Yes, and so we can spend more time together, you know, outside the house."

I stopped playing with his hair and kissed him silently on his soft, moist lips. I quickly turned around and started walking towards the closet. I knew he was watching my butt, so I walked slower just to toy with him. I reached into the wardrobe and pulled out my old black and red hoodie.

"Okay, but I'm not buying a stupid costume," I said as I started to put it on. "So don't even try it."

"Whatever, let's go. Tito and the others are waiting for us."

He opened the door and we proceeded towards the elevator.


Once we got to the store, all of the paparazzi were there. I wished that they would all just spontaneously combust. I knew that dating a Jackson was risky, but dang, it wasn't like he was the only celebrity in California. The fans were even worse. I actually had to keep myself from snatching one floozy's hair right off of her head. I thought I would be used to this by now, but it seems that I still need to adjust to it. Once we managed to escape the mob, I walked over with my beau and his brothers to where the costumes were being held. I watched as they began to look and gape over the many corny and cheesy costumes on display. I shook my head at my boyfriend as he pretended to bite my neck after looking intently at a Dracula costume. I laughed at how idiotic he was acting and pushed him over towards his brothers, who were calling him to check out the costumes on the other side of the store.

He reluctantly went, giving me a kiss on the cheek before leaving me alone in the aisle. I smiled as I tried to find a costume for my little brother. Our family never celebrated Halloween, but that did not mean my brother has to miss trick-or-treating like I did. I thought a MJ costume was perfect for him, considering the irony, and picked out a little "Billie Jean" outfit for him to wear. I walked back over to where the teen's costumes were and then I saw it.

It was a small grey hoodie, similar to the one I was wearing. The only difference was that it did not have any pockets. It looked out of place and, for a second, I actually thought it was. I picked up the tag and looked at it for a while before deciding to buy it. I pushed in the left-hand sleeve and pulled the price sticker over the main logo. After I did that, I took that and my brother's costume over to the counter and paid for them. I then took the receipt and threw it into the trash. At that time, my boyfriend and his family came back to my side with bags in their hands.

"Ready to go?" asked Tito

I nodded and pulled my hood over my head before walking out to the limo.