Sneaking out of the house around 10:30 at night isn't what I wish to be doing with my time yet, here I am. Mom is already asleep, tends to pass out between ten and eleven. I was lucky in this instance since she clocked out at ten. She doesn't hear me walk out the front door.

The bus stop has a single light hanging above it allowing the bus driver to see me sitting there anxiously. When the door opens it has a unique scent that I swear buses only have at night. My nose crinkles in disgust when I get on and take a seat far from the two hooded figures at the back of the bus. Luckily, they get off long before I do.

The area we're meant to meet is pretty close to the last one. I'm assuming they live, hang out or have found it to be a better place for their shenanigans. I don't like that I recognize the streets but it helps me find the place. I'm a bit confused to find an apartment building with Clover standing outside leaning against it. There's a new face standing at his side. Unlike Mop Head, this guy has a buzz cut with narrowed eyes and two silver hoops in his left eyebrow, which raises upon seeing me.

"Got caught up at school today, huh?" Clover asks with a sneer that remains that way even when I growl at him.

"Why the hell did you break into my house?"

"Had to get you the note somehow, didn't I?"

"Don't step in my fucking house again."

"Or what?" Clover hums while pushing himself from the wall. He takes a step towards me, pressing his finger roughly into my chest with every word. "What are you gonna to do about it?"

I'll make him regret it but I keep that to myself. Rolling my eyes, I grumble, "I have after school detention the rest of the week."

Clover snorts.

"If you want to talk to me then tell me what stupid shit you'll have me do now. I don't want you in my house again."

My gaze turns to the unfamiliar face that has yet to speak. In doing so, I notice that he's a bit more well kept than Clover and the others. His jeans aren't dirty or ripped up but seem to actually be fit, as well as the nice leather jacket he's wearing. Actually, the guy must be rich, or a really good thief, because it looks like he's wearing a Rolex.

"C'mon we have things to discuss," Clover says while gripping my shoulder roughly and shoving me inside. The stranger follows suit without a word.

The complex is as disgusting on the inside as it is on the out. Clearly the landlords no longer care since the floors are an ugly shade of yellow, although, I'm pretty sure they were once white. The paint has chipped from the walls and railings. The elevator doesn't even work so I'm made to walk ten flights of stairs to the rooftop. I'm a bit confused, thinking we can't get out but all Clover does is pull out a credit card and slide it through the crack of the door. With a click, it swings open.

My stomach drops when I start to think maybe they no longer want to bother with me. Am I about to be pushed off a building? Because that's what this scenario seems like.

Clover takes a deep breath and holds out his arms. "What a view."

I don't respond to that, unsure if it's even meant for me. Seems it isn't judging by the new guys sudden sigh followed by an impatient question, "Why am I here?"

"I told ya why, to meet the freak." Clover points to me with a wide grin. He walks over and throws his arm around my shoulders. I grit my teeth when he does, averting my gaze in disgust. "This kid already helped us rob a convenience store in less than three minutes."

"Uh huh."

"And that is our next target."

Clover points to the right side of the building causing myself and the stranger to look. Through the many buildings there is one that stands out just a few blocks away. I can see the bank logo from here glistening like a giant target. Figured as much, doesn't mean it makes me anymore comfortable with it. If my stomach could drop anymore, it would. I'm at the ultimate low now.

"Clarity Bank? You're joking," Stranger says after a chuckle. "I've never even seen this kid around before. How is he going to rob a heavily guarded bank that's not even in our area? If the boss finds out, he's going to have your head."

Not their area? Boss? Yep, this is a gang and now I'm affiliated with them. However, I'm taking a guess that this stranger is farther up the pecking order than Clover and, for whatever reason, Clover trusts him enough to say this. That also means I was right to assume it's a small job, am I meant to rob this bank and prove Clover to be a good...bad guy, or something?

"He isn't goin' to find out because this brat won't even be seen."

Clover suddenly slaps me on the back. I glare at him for it before he hisses, "Do it. Now."

Since I have no other options, I do as I'm told. Clover makes sure to keep his hand on my shoulder as I disappear. It isn't the least bit surprising to see the wide eyed expression of Stranger nor hear Clover's amused cackle. Again, he starts smacking me and I grunt after each hit.

"This is some kind of trick, isn't it? Did you slip something in my fucking drink earlier?" The guy asks while stepping back. He even starts looking around as if he expects to find some projector or something.

"No trick, this freak is the real deal! Don't know how or why but it works, perfect to slip in and out, no problem!"

I'm terribly annoyed when Stranger becomes more curious than shocked. He reaches out and manages to poke me in the chest. I smack his hand away causing him to jump back. His eyes are looking right at me but can't see me at all until, finally, I reappear. Again, he jumps then stares at me in silence.

"Well, what do ya think? You in?" Clover asks.

"The kid doesn't exactly look keen with this," he says, which has me nodding. If these two are friends, I doubt this jerk has a conscious either but I'm not going to pretend to be ok with this. Unlike Clover though, who is overtaken with excitement, Stranger is a mixture of worry and confusion. Can't say I blame him.

"Who cares?!"

"I do, what if he rats us out?"

"He won't, will ya, Micah?" Clover purrs my name causing me to shiver and attempt to step away but he keeps his hold on my shoulder. "His mom's real cute."

"Shut the hell up," I hiss, which only makes him laugh.

"Got our eyes on his bestfriends and his boyfriend too."

"I said shut the hell up!"

Clover suddenly takes hold of the back of my neck. I groan when he squeezes so hard that my neck throbs. With a single push, I drop to my knees while he holds me in place and growls, "Keep quiet."

Oh, I have no desire to do so but know it's best to comply. Nodding, I remain on my knees when Stranger suddenly says, "Let's chat a minute. Come over here."

Clover slaps me over the back of the head before walking away. They're on the other side of the roof whispering to one another while I stand up and dust the dirt from my jeans. I can't really hear what they're talking about, only the occasional word here or there. Something about me, the robbery, Boss and keeping a low profile. That piques my interest, makes it sound like even this guy doesn't plan to tell their "Boss." So long as this plan remains between a few people, I might be able to get out of this.

After a few minutes, the two return with Clover smiling from ear to ear. There's another piece of paper in his hands that he hands to me and says with excitement, "We're meeting up here everyday after your detention."

He snickers again at the mention of it. I roll my eyes and open the note to discover it's an abandoned warehouse...near where I used to practice all the time. They really were following me, either they scoped the places out before and found a good spot to meet up or they were already there.

Sighing, I nod, slip the paper into my back pocket then ask, "Are you going to tell me who this is?"

"Hell no," Stranger answers for him with a scowl. "The less you know the better."

"Yet you guys know so much about me without even having asked if you could."

"Guess you shouldn't have tried being the hero." He flicks me in the head with a chuckle then looks to Clover. "I'll see you around."

With that, Stranger leaves without another word, disappearing through the door and into the complex. That leaves Clover and I alone, which isn't something I ever want. I don't care if my glaring bothers him because if he expects me not to then he's an idiot.

"Hey, don't look at me like that," Clover says. "Listen up, if ya play nice, maybe we'll give ya part of the cut."

"I don't want any."

"Oh, I bet you'll be changin' your mind once ya see inside."

"I bet I won't."

Clover doesn't seem to care about my attitude at the moment. Instead, he shrugs it off then gestures for me to follow. I have no idea where we're going or why but, again, don't have any other choice. We walk down the steps together, ten flights all over again, and are about to walk out the front door when voices are heard outside.

Suddenly, Clover shoves me away from the door and, to my shock, holds a blade to my throat. I stand there with my back pressed against the cold wall, trying to push as far away from the blade as I can. The cool metal can still be felt against my throat.

"Don't say a word," he whispers to me with a narrowed gaze.

The voices grow closer, sounds like a decent sized group. Some of the voices are slurred, probably a few drunks but Clover appears stressed. His shoulders are tense when they can be heard right outside the complex.

"I think you had enough to drink tonight, Denny."

"No! I'm fuckin' pissed! You know, why can't people just give up their cash when we ask?" The so called Denny responds in a heavily slurred voice. "Sure, I don't mind beatin' them till they hand over their debt but that old geezer got blood all over my new suit!"

"Oh no, your new suit, how awful," another cackles.

"Oi, I worked my way up the line to get the money to afford a suit so you shut your mouth!"

I hear a loud 'smack' followed by a string of curse words but the voices quickly drift into the distance. When their footsteps and voices can no longer be heard, Clover finally lets up. I take a deep breath, only now realizing that I as holding it my lungs scream at me in pain for doing so.

"What the hell was that about?" I hiss barely above a whisper.

Clover points the blade at me in warning. "Did I say you could talk again?"

Someone's in a foul mood but I don't ask why for obvious reason.

Clover looks out the door and swings his head from side to side. No one must be there because he grabs me by the arm and he says, "Go home and keep out of sight on the way there."

Suddenly, his eyes go wide before he starts to chuckle.I don't get what for until he spits out, "Guess I could have told ya to disappear a second ago. Must have slipped my mind."

I growl. This guy really is a fucking idiot. Am I sure that murder isn't worth it? I'm really leaning towards it. Rather than argue though, I'm do as I'm told. I disappear and Clover knows that I leave when the door opens and swings shut behind me. He didn't have to instruct me to be sneaky about it, I would have done that on my own. This neighborhood isn't one wishes to be caught in alone, especially at night, so, I remain hidden until I get close to the bus stop.

There's time to think while waiting, even more on the ride home. I've got new information that could do me a lot of good. They are definitely some sort of gang, the bank isn't in their "territory" and Clover, along with his pals, are probably low in the pecking order. The Stranger is higher but trusted among them and they really don't want to be caught by this Boss of theirs or anyone else in the gang. I'm assuming those drunks outside were part of it or maybe even the opposing side?

Either way, my identity really isn't known by too many others. Clover is keeping this pretty secret, which gives me the advantage. The real question is, how many people are left in the scheme? If they plan to have me rob a bank, I will likely meet them so, come tomorrow, hopefully I'll have the last pieces of information.

Sneaking back inside is easy. Mom is clearly still fast asleep and, once I'm in the door, it's easy to say I haven't gone to sleep yet. It lets me feel a bit more at ease. After kicking off my shoes, I head upstairs to take a steaming hot shower in hopes to erase the feeling of Clover's arm around my shoulders. Just thinking about it gives me the shivers. I hate that he's near me let alone actually touches me. I can't wait to rip their plan to shreds and see the look of shock and disappointment on his stupid fucking face.

Thinking about it does make me feel better and I head to my room clean and with a smile on my face. It isn't until I'm changed into shorts and laying on my bed that I finally check my phone. There's a few messages from Beckett and Misty just asking how I'm feeling and such but I ignore those. I'm looking to see if Leo possibly messaged me but...he hasn't.

I can't lie and say I'm not a bit disappointed but, at the same time, I'm not surprised. After earlier, he's probably shy. He always is and, yes, I find that absolutely adorable so, guess I have to act first.

You asleep?

The message has been read but not answered. I grin. Take that as a no.

I'm totally not grinning from ear to ear when he replies, Can't fall asleep.

Why not?

Leo's response is lightning fast, I think you know why.

Because of me? I'm flattered.

I don't know how to respond to that so I'm gonna ignore it. Is Saturday ok for us to go to the Zoo?

Yep.

Cool, then, can I ask you something?

I'm not sure what he wants to ask me about, makes me a little nervous but I answer, You just did.

Micah. I swear I can hear the sigh in Leo's voice. It causes me to chuckle.

Go ahead, I answer.

Are you counting Saturday as a date?

Have I mentioned how adorable this piece of shit is lately? Because he is and it's going to be the end of me. I should have flirted with the hot soccer boy next door sooner. What have I been doing all these years? Micah, you fool.

So, with a soft smile, I don't hesitate to answer, Definitely.

Once more I'm left on read for a few moments, not that I expected anything different. I wish this was like one of those cheesy teen flicks where I can look out my window and see into Leo's room. I can imagine him blushing a fiery red. Oh, how I wish to see it in person but, alas, this isn't a movie and his room is not directly across from mine. It sucks.

After a few moments of silence, Leo replies, Me too. Goodnight, Micah.

If it were anyone else I'd feel a bit bad about him suddenly going to sleep but, I think it's safe to say he's about to explode with embarrassment. I don't have to see him in order to know that.

Sweet dreams, Leo, I respond. Once I see that my message has been read, I set my phone aside and lean back in bed. There's no time to think about anything because, oddly enough, I fall straight to sleep. Leo is to thank for that, I'm sure.