"Guys, Hurry! We're leaving to the store! Come on!" Edd yelled for his friends as he got out to get the car engine running. Tord and Matt hurriedly scurried downstairs and into the car. Edd looked at them before asking, "where's Tom?"
The two looked at each other then looked back at the house. Edd groaned.
"What is taking him so long- Tord, can you fetch him? Please?"

"Why me??"

"Because, Tord." Edd simply answered. Tord grumbled to himself as he entered the house and trudged up to Tom's room.

Inside, Tom was busy reading. a novel. He was so fascinated that he forgot they were supposed to be leaving that instant. Captivated by the story, he flipped through the pages. His mind running wild with such imagination. You've never seen him like this before.

"-Thomas!" Tord barged into the room. Tom, startled by the action, quickly shoved the book under his pillow and glared at Tord. Tord did the same. "We have to leave! Geez."

Tom got out of bed and quickly picked up his bag; following Tord from behind as they ,add their way to the car. Tom sat down at the back beside Tord and was greeted by an angry Edd.
"Tom, what were you doing?"

Tom nervously fiddled with his hoodie string. "I- Sleeping...?"

"Well you should've slept early. Let's go." Edd stated as he started the car.

Once they had arrived at their destination: the mall, they all gathered around the center which some people call "the mini plaza" inside a building.

"Alright." Edd said. "Matt and I will be headed to the third floor to get our supplies. You two can head to wherever. After we're all done, let's meet up here. Got that?"
Tord and Tom nodded.
"Good. We'll meet up later." He waved as he walked off together alongside Matt.
Supposedly, it was just the two of them that would head to the store. But just the other day, Tord and Tom had said they wanted to come along.

Tord looked around before heading off to his destination. I guess you know where.
Tom scanned every store to find what he was looking for. He wanted to tag along to see if he could get another book; one that would interest him because all the books they have at home have already been read more than twice. Even the phone book.

Tom was a busy reader. No one in the household really knew that. Usually, they'd see him reading a book on "How To Be's" or "Basic This-and-That" but never have they seen him reading anything else; Like a novel or teen-fiction.

At last, he found the store he was looking for. Inside, you could see books from top to bottom, shelf upon shelf. There even was a little table for those who would want to read. It was like a library, but smaller and the books were for sale. Well, except when you want to read a book. That part is free.

Tom took a step inside and looked around. This was something. For him anyway.

He began to scan the shelves to see if anything interested him. Any genre would do.
They were many books he found interesting, but he never picked it up.
As he walked, his eye caught sight of a rather old book. No one was going to buy it anytime soon, it seemed.

He gently pulled it out from it's place and looked at the cover. It was old; the cover looked damaged, and the pages were a slight brownish-cream color.
On the front cover, there lay the title: "51 years." (It was supposed to be 51 Reasons.)
Intrigued, he opened the book and began reading. From the first paragraph, to the second chapter and so on, he found it to his liking. He was so caught up with it, he barely noticed the footsteps coming from behind him.

"Find anything interesting, Jev?"

Startled, Tom quickly hid the book behind his back and spun around only to be met by the Norwegian.

"Tord! Ahah... Hi...?"

Tord looked at him strangely. Something seemed off. Tord noticed that Tom was hiding something.

"Tom, what's that?" He questioned while gesturing at his arm that was hiding behind him. Tom nervously stood there attempting to mutter a lie.
"Huh? N-Nothing! ... Nothing at all..." Tom whispered the last part. Quickly changing the subject, he asked Tord.
"What are you doing here?"
Tord put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. "I thought I could find a new manga here... I guess I was wrong. By the way, Edd is looking for you."

Tom turned around; the book still hidden from Tord's vision. "Tell him I'll follow from behind."

Tord looked at Tom suspiciously. He was definitely hiding something.

"Fine, but you better hurry." Tord walked away. Deciding it was best for him to do so.
As soon as Tord was seen exiting the store, Tom skimmed through the pages. He wished he could just buy the book, but he was in such a hurry that he forgot his wallet at home. Now during this, Tom held the book in his hand; contemplating wether or not to leave the book, or steal it.

Yes, he was thinking of such.

He could always choose the first option, which is a better option, yet he was very tempted to choose the latter.
'Maybe it's best if I leave and come back tomorrow... But it might be gone by then! So what if... But that would cause me trouble...'
He looked at the book in his hands. He flipped the boom around to look at the price. Pretty cheap. He was sure no one would care if a book that old would suddenly disappear. After all, no one seemed to be buying it.
It would cause him less trouble.

He gazed around the area, looking left and right, before carefully removing the price code off the cover. After that was done, he placed the book in his bag and casually walked passed the cashier thinking no one noticed.

Boy did he not think things through.

As soon, as he was about to reach the mini plaza, a guard suddenly called out. "HEY!"
Tom turned to face him when he suddenly realized the guard was after him. He began to panic. His first instinct was to run. So he did.

He ran passed people shoving them in the process as he muttered out apologies and excuses. Yelps and complaints were heard though the crowd.
"Ow- watch it!"
"Sorry-"
"Hey!"
"Excuse me- coming through-!"

He managed to push himself through the crowd and ran up the escalator in hopes of losing the guard.

Nope.

Instead, it attracted more guards. Security was after him now.
He ran through booths outside the stores, careful not to destroy anything. Many of the owners yelled at him in frustration and even caught the attention of other guards.

He was in a pickle.

He jumped over the tables at the dining area. Again, complaints from random civilians filled the air as food particles went flying here and there. It was chaos.

Tom spotted a fire exit nearby. Without hesitation, he ran towards the door.

Almost....

There...

... His hand barely reached the handle when his hoodie was pulled back by one of the guards.
For a pretty small person, he could run fast.

Tom nervously looked up at the guard who held him captive and smiled nervously. The guard glared at him before dragging him to private section of the mall. The guard who was chasing him first followed behind. As they made their way, Tom noticed all the stares and looks he received. Some were confused, others were pitiful, some were very spiteful.
Tom couldn't pull his hoodie over his head due to the guard using it to drag him.

They reached this small room. There was a table and chair on one side, a long and small bench, and a cork board filled with pictures of previous thieves who tried to steal.

Soon, he'd be one of them.

Actually... He already is.

Once inside, he was sat down on the bench as the guard sat by the chair.

'Oh boy...'

Meanwhile, Edd had seen and witnessed the commotion alongside Matt and Tord. But they didn't know who. Not until Edd went up to the guard and asked who started all the mess.
The guard looked at him with a reassuring smile. (No, it's not the first guard that chased Tom)
"Don't worry, he's being handled. He won't be causing any more trouble."

"Do you know he reason why?"

"Nope. No clue. All I know is that he was making a mess. He runs pretty fast for a short bastard. I'm surprised he ain't blind. With those black eyes and all..."

Edd perked up at this. Black eyes...
"What was he wearing...?"

The guard raised a brow. But nonetheless, told him.
"Blue hoodie, black jeans, checkered Vans...-"

"Stop right there." Edd interrupted the guard. "Take us to where he is. Now."

The guard didn't say no. Edd was furious, yet looked so calm. An intimidating aura was surrounding him. It wasn't pleasant.

Tom on the other hand, had been interrogated. Now he was just sitting there, waiting to be released, and hoping Edd wouldn't notice-

"Tom! We're going home. I told the guard to let you go. We have some SERIOUS talking to do." Edd walked over to him and pulled him by the arm like a mother would do to their child.

By the time they got to the car, everyone was silent.
The drive home was silent.
It's as if everyone was giving him the silent treatment.

Once they reached home, Tom was plopped down on the couch while Edd sat on the other. Tord and Matt left the scene and hid in their rooms as requested by Edd.

"Okay Tom... What. Did. You. Do?" Edd's eyes glimmered. It's as if they could pierce through his soul.

Tom gulped as he tried to think of a reason.
He could always tell him the truth, but maybe he'd find out and tell the others about his interest. Tord would use it as an advantage.

Or he could lie, considering he was a good liar; if he told his friend a different reason that sounded realistic and convincing, maybe he could get away with it.

Worth a shot.

(I accidentally typed "Worth a shit." 😂😂😂)

"W-well I... Accidentally knocked one of the booth's items... The guard saw and... That happened."
What a terrible lie.
Edd pretty much saw through it.

"I want the truth, Tom." Edd folded his arms. His gaze still stern.

Tom whined.
"Oh, Come on! You don't ever do this to Matt or Tord!"

"I actually do. But that's when you're not around."

"Fine..." Tom huffed. "I... May or may not have taken a book..."

Edd pinched his nose.
"Was it your typical guide book? Or a book with random facts? You could've just bought it." He said irritatedly.

Tom remained silent.
His silence didn't go unnoticed.
Edd saw, and as if he read minds, knew it.

"You didn't bring any money, did you?"

Tom shook his head.

Edd grumbled. "Dammit Tom."

As to not bore you with the rest of the conversation:

Tom was walking back to his room. After being scolded by Edd about doing something incredibly and undoubtedly stupid, he was sure he wouldn't mind doing it again.
It was fun.
But imagine the trouble he'd put himself in.
Now that...
That wouldn't be fun.

He entered his dark room and plopped down on the bed. Tom stared at the ceiling and sighed.
Guess he couldn't get to finish the book.
Oh well. He was pretty sure the store owner wouldn't let him return.

It was pretty captivating. Such a shame that he risked it.

Tom eat down on his bed. The place slightly neat. It would've been fully cleaned if he didn't begin reading earlier...

Speaking of books..

Tom remembered the book from earlier and reached under the pillow to get it.
He felt a hard material against his hand, grabbed it and flipped through the pages and onto the chapter he was at.

Suddenly, a knock was heard from his door.
Tom, who was taken by surprise, accidentally flung his book in the air sending it to wherever in the room.

Jeez, was he that jumpy?

"W-who is it?"

Then the door opened revealing Tord.
Tom groaned as he placed his head into his palms.

"Why are you here?"

"Pfft- you'd go that far for a book?" Tord snickered

"Did you just come in here to gloat?!" Tom growled at him.
"Because if you are, I'm not in the mood. Now if you would mind leaving, I'm quite busy."

Tom looked around for the book he was reading.
Shit.
He couldn't find it.

He started to panic.
Yes, he's read it a couple of times, but the book was one of his favorites.

"Why so panicked, Tom?" Tord leaned on the doorframe.

"J-just get out! I'm looking for- s-something!"
Boy... Was he stammering?

"What exactly are you looking for?"

"Get out!!" In an attempt to make him leave, Tom threw a pillow at him but missed.

Tord laughed at his attempt and picked up something from the floor which made Tom freeze.
It was the book

"What's this?" Tord waved the object as he walked closer to the Brit.
Tom's eyes were wide and white.

"Wow Thomas, never knew you were into these." Tord flipped through the pages; skimming the novel.

Tom reached for the book
"Give it back!"

"What's so special about it anyway?"

"I just... I love to read stories... Okay...?" Tom's voice quieted down. His face blushing from embarrassment.

Tord found this cute; at the same time, he almost felt guilty.
He gave the book back to Tom and walked out the room leaving the other male confused.

The next day, Tord had told everyone that he was leaving for the store.

Everyone was doing their own thing.
Edd was talking to Matt downstairs while Tom was in his room reading. Of course.
What was he reading about this time?
He was reading the phonebook again. They didn't have much books.

Tom didn't mind. He was getting bored though.
Tom sighed as he placed the book on his lap.
He swore he heard someone downstairs say
"Where's the phonebook?"

A call earn heard from outside his door.
"Tom?"
It was Tord.

"Leave me alone."

"I have something to show you."

Tom grumbled as he stood up from his bed and opened the door.
He was met with Tord, carrying a bag with a book in hand.
It was the same book from the store.
The title displaying "51 Years."

"Tord... Wha-?" Tom looked at him confused.

"What are you waiting for? Take it." Tord said as he handed the book to Tom.
"I got it on steal."

Tom whipped his head around in shock.
"You stole a book?!... For me...?" His face softening at the end although confusion was still written on it.

"No idiot, what I meant was the store owner let me have it for free. Turns out he's my cousin from a long line of relatives." Tord chuckled.

Tom stared at him in awe.
"I... Thanks."

"That's not all." Tord smiled as he put the bag down.
"I bought other books that you may or may not like."
He opened his bag to reveal novels from the genre of fiction, fantasy, romance, and comedy.

Tom admired each one of them; Speechless.
He hugged Tord as a thank you.

"Wait, is that the phonebook?"

I'm so sorry this was long!!

This was supposed to be a comic BTW.

Hope you liked this