05/23/2018

11:36: "I can't believe you actually came." The girl looks shocked at the arrival of a boy wearing jeans and a ratty t-shirt. The moon shines bright outside the doorway the girl stands in, illuminating the background and casting a shadow over the boy's pale face.

"Did you really think I'd lie to you?" For a short moment, the young boy looks hurt. Not even sixteen. Quickly, he covers it with a smile, the image slightly tarnished by the bags under his eyes. "I'm not that terrible, am I?"

She laughs, opening the door wider and moving to let him in.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?"

11:38: His grin falters.

"You know you can't turn back after this."

"..."

"If you still want to back out you have to leave now."

"I know," he states, running a hand through his deep chocolate brown hair, "but I have to do this. I just..."

The girl looks at him sadly.

"Come on in, kiddo."

11:43: "You done with the bathroom?"

"Yeah." He somehow looks even more tired than before.

His eyes shut for a brief moment, but they snap open quickly.

"Let's get going. We don't want to be late."

11:49: "Get in." A burly man whispers far too quietly.

They step into the premises of the small house. Cigarettes, he thinks, smelling the air.

11:52: "Somethin' wrong?" A man glances at him curiously. The boy seems young. Too young for this.

"Nothing. It's just my first time," the boy sighs. "I'm just a bit nervous."

The man laughs, his voice lightening the tense atmosphere.

"That was obvious! But here, I'm gonna let you in on a secret," the man moves closer, and the boy leans in, "even I still get nervous on these jobs."

11:59: The boy takes the gun handed to him. His hand shakes.

The girl gives him a peck on the cheek.

"It's time to go. Are you sure you're ready?"

"You know there's no point in asking me that. I can't back out anymore."

"I know. You're still ready?"

"Sure."

"And you did this just for the money?"

"What else?"

A clock distantly rings.

"Happy New Years."