“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

‘Toot, toot, toot…’ as we passed by the detector at the doorway, it rang and our worlds just crushed down to pieces at that very moment. 14 books in a big pink floral-printed bag I was carrying – all shoplifted.

And there I was, in front of a security guard accusing me of being the ‘brain’ of such offense, as my friend weeps at the corner. “Wag kang aamin,” that was the rule of shoplifting once you get caught so I showed no intention of giving in and pleading guilty of the offense. But soon enough, I realized that there is no other way to end the accusation but for us to admit the sin we have committed, and so we have pleaded guilty. After I have paid for all the books, and without them having to blotter us (thanks to our charm and acting skills), they let us go.

Before that, we have already shoplifted at the same bookstore, at stalls along the middle of the mall, at beauty shops and a number of clothing shops in our place. That was the first and the last time we got caught. As for me, that was a wake-up call.

At sweet 16, some girls had their first real kiss, some had excelled on math or physics, some had decided the course their taking in college, some had their first date, and some had their hearts broken for the first time. And I? I had my first (and hopefully the last) mug shot.