Last Time?

Earl keeps reassuring that..

 There's no way. Please let it not be THEM. I just want to have a normal vacation! Not some sort of adventure one where it involves stealing.

 Earl snapped me out of my urgent thoughts, "Penelope? Did you hear me?"

 I replied back with panic, "No. What did you say?"

 "Look over there. The little thieves are back."

 Oh no. It's actually happening. I pushed Earl up to the brick wall, hiding from them. I peered slightly on the edge, Hornet, Prosper, Riccio, Mosca and Bo were huddled up in a corner right near a magazine stand. They kept looking up at the house that was right near the stand. Are they going to steal from that place? That's totally going to go wrong...

 Earl pushed me away from him, "What was that?"

I glared at him, "Do you honestly want them to see us? After we went back on our word and just left?"

 Earl rolled his eyes and argued, "Again! We weren't involved in the first place. Remember? They believe us."

 I shot back, "Yeah...but what do you think the impression they had on us when they came back to find the theater empty! Now they probably think we were lying!"

 "Never thought of that."

 I sat on the ground, my back leaned against the wall, "And you're the one who is supposed to make the hard decisions."

 Earl sat beside me, we just sat in silence for a few moments. Earl started to play with a piece of grass that he found on the cold stone floor. I turned my head to the side to look out, the group was still there. They were quickly shoving some flashlights in a bag. I was right, they ARE planning of robbing that house. I can't say that I'm not scared for them. Millions of situations popped in my head, all of them ending up that the children were being dragged away from the house by the police.

 Earl broke the silence after flicking the grass away, "How long will we have to be here?"

 I answered crossing my arms, determined, "Until they leave."

 He patted my knee, "Well check again!"

 I grumbled and turned my head once more. To my surprise the group was long gone. I turned back to Earl and gave him the gesture that we can get up.

 "See told you."

 It was my time to roll my eyes, "I've been checking every five minutes, they were bond to leave sooner or later."

 Earl stated, "I don't see why you are worried though. Chances are, this will be the last time we will ever see them again."

 I looked at him, "Really? After all the other times we thought it would be the last time we saw them?"

 Earl grunted, "Damn...you're moody today...are you on the monthly thing?"

 I sighed and didn't even answer him. Together, we walked. More silence. Man, this morning was going so well, then when the kids show up, it's like disaster from then. Earl suggested we look at the mask shop that the group was in the other day. He joked, maybe about getting some so we can be in a play. I just chuckled slightly at that.

 Inside, I was kinda creeped out. All these masks were pointing out of the walls. Some were white with gold edged around it. Others were completely different, black, laced with red. Who really needs a mask in Italy? Oh, I know what Earl would say, 'Because thieves need masks!' Oh how witty. I didn't even bother to ask.

 "Penelope! Look over here!"

 I did as he told me to, I saw Earl in a monkey mask, posing in front of the huge mirror. That brighten up my day a little bit. So, I decided to relax and forget that little event that happened earlier, and joined Earl trying on masks.

 ------------------------------

 Later that day, Earl and I walked out of probably the thousandth shop we went into. It was pretty fun, we tried on some clothes, [well I did], we pigged out on food, tried on funny masks and we even went back to the gift shop, I got my parents gifts. For my mom, a coffee mup that says, 'I Heart Italy.' And for my dad, a one of a kind mini globe, the kind that you put on a working desk. As you can see, the place didn't have that much to choose from.

 The air was getting more breezy as the sun started to set. I'm really starting to enjoy Italy. Maybe I can somehow trick my parents into moving here. Although..I don't think I'd fit in the Italy high schools.

 Earl shouted almost in my ear, "Hey look! There's an artist over there!"

 There sure was. A man, sitting on a stool had a millions of paintings and paints of all colors sitting in one empty guitar case.

 Earl hesitantly advanced toward the artist, oh please let him speak english so Earl won't make a fool of himself.

 Earl said politely, "Um...Hello, I was wondering if you could draw a picture of me?"

 The artist looked up at him, through his dark locks. He didn't say anything for a moment.

 Suddenly, he flashed a toothy grin, "Do you have fifty dollars?"

 Earl fumbled with his wallet, "Uh..I don't think so."

 Ha. He wasted it on the pasta and bread. I pulled out my wallet and pulled out a fifty, my mom gave it to me just in case anything to happen. I gently handed it to the artist, who took it gratefully, throwing it in a dirty glass jar.

 He announced, "Okay, who am I drawing?"

 I nudged Earl forward. I'm not any good at being still at a certain pose for awhile.

 "Him."

 Earl shot me a look before sitting down on another stool, right in front of the artist. His face was reddening.

 The artist turned Earl's head to one side, "Okay, right there. Stay still."

 And with that, he went to work. I didn't want to annoy the artist, so I didn't look over his shoulder. I simply leaned on the wall for support. The sun was fully gone now, stars appearing left and right. A night out in Italy. Perfect. I watched the boats in the canal slowly soar to the side and people get out. Seems like no one goes on at night. It got darker, the less people on the streets. Soon, no one was passing by us at all. I hate that feeling, being alone in the dark outside, feels like a ghost town.

 Suddenly, I heard the noise of a speed boat. Whose out at this hour? My eyes traveled further, a boat came into view. In the boat, was four people. You can guess who they were.

 I walked over to Earl who was still in the exact same spot as about a hour ago, "Are you sure it is the last time?"

Only his eyes moved to meet me. Completely ignoring the artist's protests.

 

Author's Note

yay for boats!