Plastic beach

[Fall Out Boi]

It was mid-day, the sun hanging high in the sky. It's light shone down upon the market place, which was bustling with life. Hundreds of people hurried past the shops, pushing and shoving each other in order to get through the crowd. Shop owners frantically scrambled to fulfill their customers orders, hands wildly grabbing money and merchandise.


In the midst of all of this madness was a little girl, dodging under, around, and through the sea of legs. Her dark arms were high in the air, checking the pockets of every person she passed. If she felt something in them, she would swiftly empty their pockets and stuff their belongings into her own. It was rare if one of her targets noticed her, and even if they did feel her brush against them, they never looked down in time. She had either scurried off before their eyes darted down, or another person bumped into them and forced them to watch where they were going.


Her pockets were already filled to the brim with the earnings she had collected that day, making the sides of her dress bulge in odd shapes. She still had space in them for more items, though, and she planned on filling that space before the days end.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Just get the bread and go. That's all the boy had to do. He weaved through the crowd, like he had done a million times before, and kept an eye out for the baker's kiosk. Kids tumbled around his feet and adults shoved him into other people, but he continued on, unfazed. He already had the small amount of money his sister allowed him in his hand by the time he reached the stand he was looking for. "Ah, welcome!" The baker, a portly man, greeted him warmly. "What can I do for you?" The light haired boy stared at the meager amount of money, then at the sticky buns behind the other man. They always catch his eye, but he usually never has enough to get anything but what his mother sent him out for. "The usual," he spoke up, nodding towards a bag of rolls on a stack to his right. "Good choice. Fresh baked this morning," replied the baker, holding out his hand. The boy's gaze lingered on the sticky buns before reluctantly flicking to the man, handing over the money in return for his bag of bread. "Enjoy! Thank you for your business." He barely heard the baker as he spun on his heel and disappeared into the crowd once more. Now to get back home. The heat of the day was already starting to get to him, his tanned skin feeling sticky. He was in no mood for this. Sighing, he pressed on.


 
Just get the bread and go. That's all the boy had to do. He weaved through the crowd, like he had done a million times before, and kept an eye out for the baker's kiosk. Kids tumbled around his feet and adults shoved him into other people, but he continued on, unfazed. He already had the small amount of money his sister allowed him in his hand by the time he reached the stand he was looking for. "Ah, welcome!" The baker, a portly man, greeted him warmly. "What can I do for you?" The light haired boy stared at the meager amount of money, then at the sticky buns behind the other man. They always catch his eye, but he usually never has enough to get anything but what his mother sent him out for. "The usual," he spoke up, nodding towards a bag of rolls on a stack to his right. "Good choice. Fresh baked this morning," replied the baker, holding out his hand. The boy's gaze lingered on the sticky buns before reluctantly flicking to the man, handing over the money in return for his bag of bread. "Enjoy! Thank you for your business." He barely heard the baker as he spun on his heel and disappeared into the crowd once more. Now to get back home. The heat of the day was already starting to get to him, his tanned skin feeling sticky. He was in no mood for this. Sighing, he pressed on.

 

[Fall Out Boi]

A lovely scent wavered into her nostrils as she stuffed yet another stolen item into her pocket, causing her to pause and take in a deep breath to enjoy the smell. The inhale confirmed her suspicion: it was the smell of freshly baked bread. Ah, how she loved that smell. Unfortunately, she rarely got the chance to eat the food that produced the alluring scent, considering how much money a single roll cost. After selling all her earnings from that day, though, she possibly could have enough to get a dozen rolls.


The mere thought of having so much food made her mouth water and her stomach grumble. She had not been caught stealing so far, so there was no point in her not going to get a little snack. Eagerly, she pushed through the people towards the smell, becoming more and more hungry with every step she took closer to the food.


She had been running a bit too quickly to the food, for she was unable to stop before she ran into her target, stumbling backwards from the impact.

 

[CarpeDiem]

The boy jolted forward as someone slammed into him, and he lost his footing, crashing to the ground. His bread flew everywhere, and unaware market-goers trampled it. He snatched up the unharmed rolls and shoved them in his pockets, whipping around to glare at the one who caused this. His sister is going to kill him. He used up all the money on bread that's now all over the street! How can he explain himself? He quickly began to pick himself up, his dignity remaining on the ground with his mashed bread.

 

[Fall Out Boi]

She quickly composed herself when she saw the bread flying through the hair, scrambling to her feet and rushing towards the food. Picking up any bread that had not been completely trampled by the crowd, she shoved them into her pockets. The few rolls she managed to save were not enough for her, though, for she grew more greedy when she saw the boy she had ran into tucking more of his bread away.


While he was still trying to put himself together, she rushed past him and snatched up two rolls from his pockets, fumbling over her tiny legs as she tried to scurry away from the scene, trying to keep the bread from tumbling out of her arms.

 

[CarpeDiem]

The boy growled and snatched at the girl as she made a run for it, lunging forward and clawing at her ankles. He'd be damned if he let the little thief get away. She even had the nerve to steal bread from his pockets! He'd make sure she paid for this.

 

[Fall Out Boi]

She was running as fast as the wind one moment...then was flat on her face the next. A surprised cry sounded out as the boy pulled her down, bread flying from her arms and pockets. It took her a moment to realize what had happened, but when she did, she began to do all she could to get out of the situation.


"Let go!" she shouted, flailing frantically in attempt to free herself from his grip.