My cigarette shrunk as I took my last inhale, and watched the white smoke swirl around in the wind. I flicked it out of my fingers and stomped on the stick with my black boots, twisting my foot so it was just a pile of warm ashes left on the ground.

By now, I have walked halfway across town. It was probably some time around noon because the sun was at its highest peak in the sky. It shined brightly, sharing its warmth with the rest of the world, but even the sun's rays couldn't help heat up the earth. Fall had just begun, and for many in the east, it was going to be a long, harsh winter. The trees' leaves already transformed into beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. They hung onto the tree, desperately trying to stay attached to the branches as strong winds attempted to pull them away. Eventually, every leaf would be ripped off, floating through the air as if it was lost and needed a new place to go. Then, winter comes along and everything will be covered in the intense snow.

I've always hated winter. The cold is unbearable and no matter how many layers of clothes I wear the bitter weather always seems to give me chills. It seems like everyone in New York hates winter too. Maybe it's the arctic storms or maybe it's the stress of the holidays. Either way, winter in New York sucks.

»»——⍟——««

The extravagant buildings of New York City were far behind me as I walked through the dilapidated neighborhoods in Harlem. Paper, plastic, and other forms of trash littered the sidewalk as I continued through the rundown part of the city. I spent most of my time in Harlem; I basically grew up here. After my dad left, my mother and I got into a lot of arguments. One day, I ran away. I hopped on the subway and let it take me wherever, and I ended up here, in Harlem.

I turned a corner and walked into a shadowy alley. A rusted, metal door stood at the end of the narrow path. When I got to the door, I knocked quickly two times and then once more. Footsteps echoed from inside of the abandoned building and the door swung open shortly. Erica Miller, a tall, blonde beauty stood in the entrance with a bright smile on her face. She quickly pulled me in for a hug. "Diana!"

Not being a fan of hugs, I awkwardly wrapped my arms around her. "Hey Erica."

She released me from her embrace and pulled me into the building, shutting the door behind her. "I was wonderin' when I was gonna see you next," she smiled.

"Well, here I am," I chuckled softly. Erica was always so happy and positive. It was baffling to me that she can be so cheery all of the time. "Where is everyone?" I questioned as we walked further into the old building.

"Oh, they're in the main room playing cards or somethin," Erica replied.

I nodded and walked through another door, which led to the main room.

"I'm callin your bluff!"

"Four of a kind, aces!"

"Damn it!"

"I win, again!"

I snickered and crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned against the doorframe. "How much did you lose this time, John?"

"Hundred bucks," he furrowed his eyebrows and grumbled.

"Hey D. What's good, girl?" Todd Davison got up from his seat and swaggered over to me confidently with his new earnings in his right hand. He flashed me a smile, and pulled me in for a side hug.

I smiled back. "Nothin' much. How've you been?" I asked.

Todd laughed loudly and held up the money in his hand, showing off the cash he had just won. "Life's pretty good right now." He winked at me and I chuckled.

Erica, Todd, and I joined John at the table they were previously playing cards on. John was still complaining about losing the game, while Erica tried to cheer him up. I pulled my backpack to my side and dug into it in search for my pack of cigarettes. I pulled a stick out and threw my backpack on the ground behind my chair. "Todd, you got a light?" I asked.

"Yeah," he pulled a lighter out from his pocket and slid is across the table to me. "You gonna give me a smoke?"

"Nope," I scoffed as a lit my cigarette. "You know how expensive these things are?" I took a drag and blew out smoke in Todd's face.

He rolled his eyes and swatted the white air away. "Well, they can't be that expensive if you keep buyin' them," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Who said I was buyin' em?" I winked and smirked smugly.

He chuckled lowly. "Okay Westbrook, I see you."

John nodded dramatically and clapped. "We're all very proud, ya little criminal!" Erica laughed at his remark and sent me a smile.

I stood up from my chair and bowed. "Why thank you, my fellow thieves," I laughed along with everyone else.

Eventually, everyone's laughter died down. Todd cleared his throat and spoke up. "So has anyone got any new addresses?" He was referring to parties or important events we could crash, so we could steal and pickpocket from all the rich people. I guess it's our weird way of hanging out and having fun.

"I got nothin," John announced.

Erica nodded in agreement. "I haven't been able to find anything in awhile." She shrugged and frowned.

"I've got somethin." Everyone turned to me and a smirk slowly took over my face. I grabbed my backpack off of the ground, and pulled out the newspaper I found at the coffee house this morning. I threw the rolled up paper in the middle of the table. It unfolded perfectly and laid flat on the table. Todd, John, and Erica all leaned in closer to get a better look at the newspaper. I folded my arms across my chest triumphantly and reread what I had found on the paper this morning. "Grand opening of NY bank. Brand new bank opens tomorrow at noon. Many donations and deposits will be collected. There is an estimate of over $50k being donated and added into bank vaults. Stop by and be the first member of Smith's bank."

The three of them were silent for a moment with gaping mouths. Each of them slowly lifted their heads up at me with wide eyes.

"Holy shit!" John laughed in disbelief. He ran his hands through his long, dark brown hair and a wide smile took over his features. "Those fucking idiots plastered that on every newspaper!"

Erica giggled and jumped in excitement. "They totally had this comin!" She clapped her hands.

I laughed and smiled at John and Erica. Todd's brown eyes met mine and he nodded proudly. "Good catch, D." I smirked and sent him a wink.

Erica looked up at me. "Alright so what's the plan?" Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement.

"Todd, Erica, and I will go to the 'grand opening' tomorrow afternoon, while John waits outside of the bank in the truck; you'll be our backup and driver. Erica, you'll be our distraction. Todd and I will sneak into the vault and grab as much cash as possible. If all goes right, we'll be leaving with with $12,500." My eyes glanced at everyone around the table. "Each." I smirked.

Erica, Todd, and John abruptly stood up from their seats and cheered, jumping and screaming with excitement. I laughed at their actions and found myself celebrating too.

»»——⍟——««

As I walked home that night, with the cold air nipping at my nose, I thought about tomorrow. If we actually pulled off the robbery, everything would change. I wondered what I'd do with my share of the money. Maybe I would move out of that damn apartment and get my own place, or maybe I would travel around the world and finally find my dad. Hell, I could buy all the cigarettes in the world if I wanted to! Either way, all I know is that tomorrow is going to change everything.