Charlie hates shopping. He especially hates shopping in the big mall. But today he has no choice but to tag along with his mom.

“You need some new pair of pants, young man,” His mom told him as they entered the mall’s double doors. “Your pants are getting a bit too tight, I see. Look, you’re finally gaining some weight. Maybe you won’t be so scrawny anymore.” His mom continued as she pinched his waistline, proving that Charlie had been gaining some weight. “Mom! Stop that. It’s embarrassing!” Charlie whined as he walked with his mother from one store to another. “I don’t need new pants, these are fine,” Charlie protested.

Inside a big department store, Charlie’s mom scanned through the racks looking for the perfect pants for him. “How ‘bout this dear?” Charlie’s mom held up a pair of charcoal gray pants. Charlie shooked his head. “No, not that one. I want tan or navy blue, just like the cops. His mom continued to look through the rack.

“I’ll be right back, Mom!” Charlie hollered as he headed towards the jewelry department. He saw two kids from his school, Eddie and Brian. “Troublemakers,” Charlie mumbled to himself. He followed the kids as they looked through each jewelry case, smiling at the friendly clerks who work behind the counters.

“Don’t go too far Charlie! You need to try these on!” Charlie’s mom yelled out. Everyone in the store heard her. Everyone, except Charlie.

Charlie hid behind the hat rack, still investigating what Eddie and Brian were up to. He had known them since first grade and never really liked them. The two had been very successful in covering up their crimes.

Back in first grade, Charlie caught Eddie and Brian stealing a little girl’s Barbie lunchbox. Charlie tried to tell Mrs. Green that it was the two boys who stole it but without any proof, it was his word against theirs. The two boys got away with it and Charlie had to stay after school. He got in trouble for NOT minding his own business. From that day forward, he was skeptical of the two boys’ whereabouts. He branded them as troublemakers and they branded him as a nosy, busybody who is just out there to ruin their fun.

There were other instances Charlie knew about. In second grade, Eddie and Brian took Mrs. Hatfield’s Science test and sold the questions to some kids for fifty cents. They made a whopping five dollars. Mrs. Hatfield did catch them but they never got in trouble for it. Their parents talked Mrs. Hatfield into letting them pay back the fifty cents to each student. They were also allowed to take a different test three days later.

Eddie and Brian could fool just about anyone especially when they look like sick little puppies when caught red-handed. They would apologize with droopy and teary eyes and the grown-ups tend to be quick in forgiving them. These looks just made Charlie sick in his stomach. He couldn’t believe how Eddie and Brian could trick just about anyone into believing that they were good boys. “Someday, I would prove that these boys are nothing but trouble,” Charlie would always say this to himself. He was always sure that someday the truth would come out.

Eddie and Brian seemed to have a way with words and with people. Many grown-ups liked these boys. They wear nice, clean clothes. They used the words “Sir” and “Ma’am” too often. The girls at school thought they were cute. This made Charlie even sicker in his stomach.