Cruel Hearts - Kim Wilson

Fall had finally reached Salem. Autumn was Marie's favorite season; she loved the cool weather, carving pumpkins, and Halloween. Her favorite part of autumn was the trees. The leaves were turning different shades of red and orange. Looking out of the Salem Mall, Marie could see rows beyond rows of multicolored leaves hanging from the trees. The sight was really breathtaking. Most people walked past them without taking a second look; they were only concerned with getting to their car or making a phone call. People aren't concerned with nature when it stands between them and technology. No one stops to look at things anymore, Addison thought.

“We like?” Addison smiled, shaking her wrist in front of her face. A shiny charm bracelet was dangling from her wrist. Little ballet shoes and other assorted charms were latched onto the simple silver bracelet. Little diamonds covered the bracelet. The movement from Addison's wrist made the bracelet jingle. Marie grabbed Addison's hand and looked at the tag. The bracelet was priced at three-hundred and fifty dollars.

“We can’t afford,” Marie laughed. How did she ever think Marie could afford that? All of Marie's money was going to her college funds. Marie was not going to waste her money on anything; it was all for her education. She couldn't even afford the shirt she was looking at.

“Well, you can’t, but I can,” Addison snorted. Addison knew about Marie’s money situation; she enjoyed making jokes about it. It was one of Addison's go-to cutting remarks.

Marie turned away from Addison and began to re-examine the shirts hanging behind them. Marie began to calculate the exact amount she could spend without cutting too much into her savings. With Marie distracted, Addison took the opportunity to start her plan. There were only two employees present in the store; both were struggling desperately to make a sale. Noting that everyone around her was distracted, Addison ripped off the tag and slipped the bracelet into her bag. She pulled off her scarf and stuffed it into her bag, trying to cover to bracelet. She walked across the counters and dropped the tag. Before she got three feet in front of the door she turned around.

“Come on, Marie. We’re leaving. This place has terrible jewelry,” Addison commanded loudly.

“But I thought this was your favorite store?” Marie asked. Marie was almost certain that Addison came here often. Marie even bought her birthday present there.

Suddenly, Addison was marching out of the doors. Her heels were clicking against the floor and her head was held high. Looking at her, you wouldn’t have thought she had stolen something. Addison wasn't sure what she was doing exactly; her father could have easily paid for the bracelet. She started it a couple of months ago. Addison enjoyed the intense feeling of walking out of the store with a stolen item. Each time she would wait for the alarm to go off, but it never happened. Once outside, Addison slid on her sunglasses and projected a look of satisfaction.

Marie slowly placed the shirt she was looking at back on the rack and followed behind her still confused. When they reached the car, Marie noticed the sun reflecting on something shiny in Addison's bag underneath her scarf. Quickly dismissing it, she got into Addison's car. The ride to Marie's house was suspiciously silent. Marie began to stare out of the window and watch the trees zoom by.

Marie still didn't know what was going on. One minute Addison was laughing and looking at a bracelet and the next she was dissing the store and walking out. Marie peeked over at Addison's purse on the floor of the car. Focusing on it more, she could see something circular and silver.

"You can get out now," Addison snapped from outside Marie's window. Marie realized that she was the only one still in the car. Marie picked up Addison's purse and climbed out.

"You forgot your purse," she said handing Addison the purse, "Wait a minute."

Marie grabbed the purse back and pulled out a skinny charm bracelet. It looked exactly like the one she was trying on at the store.

"You stole this, Addison!" Marie exclaimed.

"Not really stealing; more like borrowing," Addison laughed.

"Addison, borrowing is like the time you used my pencil in class. You give the things you borrow back. You can't borrow from a store. You stole this!"

"You need to lower you voice. Hello, loud much," she said pointing out the nearby houses.

"Let's just go inside," Marie walking away and not even looking at Addison.

_________________________

Marie and Addison were sitting in the living room of Marie's house when a knock sounded at her door. Marie looked at Addison who was staring at her phone; she obviously wasn't getting up. She tore herself from the couch and unlocked the door.

"Are you Miss Addison Erin?" A young man in front of her asked. It took her a moment to notice his uniform. There was a police car parked behind him and Marie couldn't help but notice the gun on his waist. It made her nervous and she hadn't even done anything.

"Um, no, Addison," she said urging Addison to come to her. She couldn't do this on her own. She was too scared to talk to the cop knowing what she knew. Marie could barely even talk in class. Addison looked up and slowly walked to the door.

"Addison?" The cop asked again. Addison nodded. "I'm sorry to do this, but you're under arrest." He pulled out handcuffs and began to place them on her wrists. Marie couldn't help but notice that what once wore a shiny stolen bracelet, now were bound together with cuffs.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?” The cop said recounting her Addison her rights. Addison just stayed silent. She had a far off gaze; it seemed it just dawned on her that her actions had consequences.

Marie couldn't believe what was happening before her eyes. Addison, Miss I-Have-Everything-Together, was being taken away in a police car. Addison didn't bother hiding her tears; this was the first time she'd been in trouble. She didn't think she would get caught.

Marie dashed to her car and peeled out of her driveway. She rushed to the police station trying to get there in time to see Addison. When she walked in she saw Addison sitting in a small blue seat with her head hung low. She looked as if her world was just turned upside down, which it was.

"Addi, are you okay?" Marie asked.

"I've just been arrested. What do you mean 'are you okay?'" she snapped. Addison regained her composure and looked back at Marie. "Look, you have to cover for me."

"Cover for you? You mean lie to the police?" Addison nodded. "No! I can't risk my reputation to cover up your theft! You did what you did. Why should I pay for it? What will the colleges I apply to think of it?"

"Honey, are you sure you will even get it?" Addison bitterly asked, "If you cover for me, my dad can pay for a whole semester of your college. At least, hopefully you can learn something in that time."

"You did not just go there," Marie gasped. She was done with Addison; she put up with her treating her badly too long. She turned to leave when someone called for her.

"Miss, we need you," the cop who was at her house asked. Marie turned to Addison and smirked. She walked into the room with full confidence, something she would normally never do.

In the other room, Addison was squirming in her seat. She knew she shouldn't have said those things to Marie. Addison honestly did care for her; she just didn't know how to show it. Her father never showed her how to display affection for people. Addison was only taught to make people fear you. Maybe fear wasn't a good thing?

_______________________

"So you were with Addison when she stole the bracelet?" The police officer asked. Marie was answering all of the questions they threw at her. Marie had never been this confident in talking to people. Normally, she was too scared to communicate with authority figures.

"Yes. But she must have slipped it in her purse because I found it under a scarf. I was going to wait until she left and make an anonymous call, but someone already beat me," Marie explained.

"The worker noticed a bracelet was missing and we watched the tapes. Your friend didn't notice the camera directly above her. We clearly caught the whole thing; there's not confusing her for someone else. You can clearly see her face," he explained turning his computer around and showing the picture. Sure enough, you could see Addison slide the bracelet in her purse and cover it with her scarf.

"I was distracted by the shirts. I wasn't aware she stole it."

"We know. We were just wondering if you would lie or not. It's really funny. Some people come in here and deny they did anything even if there is solid proof against them. People always believe that they are innocent," he rambled.

Seeing as Marie had no further purpose staying with the mounting evidence against Addison, the cop let her go. When she walked out she saw Addison being taken into some office. She felt bad for her, she really did. But Marie couldn't handle the constant insults and backhanded compliments. Addison never once did anything for Marie while Marie did everything for her.

Marie had even stopped talking to her old friend Alex because Addison said she couldn't have two best friends. Marie did everything she could but got nothing in return. Everything she did wasn't good enough for the Almighty Addison.

As Marie pulled into her driveway she stopped and looked at the steering wheel. She was submerged into deep thoughts about friendship. All she could think about was her sacrifices and Addison's disapproval over everything.

She picked up her phone and scrolled to the familiar name in her contact list. She wasn't sure if she would answer given the circumstances. The phone slowly rang. Each time one passed with no answer Marie became more nervous. Finally the call was accepted.

"Yes, is this still Alex?" Marie asked.