A week passed just like that and life was going pretty well. I was excelling in my studies, my internship was going well and I was really enjoying a peaceful life in my own little house.
Elijah and I were starting to grow closer. He would come and crash at my place almost every day and sometimes would even convince me to let him stay the night. We were almost living together as I was finding more of his stuff around the house lately.
The other day he got matching cereal bowls and coffee mugs for us since we have breakfast‘ every day. He has also left his toothbrush and hygiene products in the washroom and he has also installed a punching bag in the backyard to exercise whenever he feels like it.
I can see through what he was doing and have even confronted him about it. But every single time the topic came up we would somehow end up in bed and I would end up allowing him to do it.
Elijah was out of town for a match, it’s been two days since I saw him and, as much as I hate to admit it, I was starting to miss him.
Since the last time I rejected him, he hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend again. Things were just happening naturally and we did not have to put a label on it.
We were just… two schoolmates having sleepovers. Right?
It was Friday, the last working day of the week. I was constantly looking at the clock on the classroom wall, the day was seemingly going too slow for my liking. I could hardly concentrate on my class and found my mind circling back to Elijah.
He had a match today, I wonder how it went.
My fantasies were broken when the speaker in my classroom announced, “Kylie Wade, please report to the principal office right now. I repeat. Kylie Wade, please report to the principal office right now.”
The class paused and everyone looked at me in anticipation. Even I was shocked and started to wonder if I had done anything lately to get me in trouble. As far as I could remember, I had been a good/kid.
My teacher asked me to go and under the curious gaze of everyone, I made my way
out of the classroom.
I knocked on the door of the principal office and carefully peeped in.
“Kylie, come in.” Principal Rupert was nearing his fifties and it was evident by the way he dressed.
Successfully unlocked!
“Did I do something, Mr Rupert?” I asked as I sat down on the chair across from him.
“I am afraid you are not here for breaking a school code but something more serious.”
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He said as he put on his glasses.
His words sent a spiral of ominous feelings down my gut. I did not say anything and waited for him to tell me what was going on.
He said, “It’s about your fees, Kylie. It hasn’t been paid yet.”
“What!” I was shocked.
The man nodded and said, “Your parents did not pay it yet and when we called them to give them a gentle reminder, they refused to pay the fees.”
My fist balled itself in a fist. I knew they were shallow but never expected them to stoop so low. I said, “I am sorry, Mr Rupert, but I am not on good terms with my family.”
“I understand, what they did was not fair but dear, you know the rules- you can’t attend classes unless you pay the fees.”
I studied in one of the most prestigious schools in the city and the fee here was not cheap. I said, “I will arrange the fees but I need some time.”
“The last date of paying the fees has long passed but since you are a good student, I will put in a few words and buy you some time.”
“Thank you so much, Mr Rupert.” I stood up from my seat and headed out.
I no longer felt like going back to my class and went to the canteen instead. I texted Jessica telling her in brief about the situation and she came over to the canteen as
soon as her class finished.
“Kylie, are you okay?” Was the first thing she asked as she sat down on the chair next to me. I looked up at her with worn–out eyes, “No, I am not.”
I had no money on myself. The little that I saved was spent on renting and my salary was not enough to cover the fees.
She gave me a hug and said, “I am sorry.”
“Why are you sorry for my parents being an asshole?” I muttered.
She asked, “I can’t believe they did this. Why are they so determined to make your life harder than it already is?”
“They want me to come crawling back to them so that they can get me married to that bastard.”
Jessica grunted and asked, “What are you planning to do now?”
“I will arrange for the money.”
The girl immediately looked into her bag and pulled out her debut card, “Here, keep this.”
“What is this?” I raised an eyebrow.
She said, “I managed to save a few dollars with my pocket money. I know it is not much but it will be helpful.”
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She had five thousand dollars in her savings, it was not a small amount and almost one–third of my fees.
I bit down on my lips, I did not want to take all her savings but I was at a pinch here as well.
Jessica saw through my hesitation and said, “Kylie, don’t think too much. Just take it. I don’t need it right now.”
“Thank you.” I took the card and smiled. This was why Jessica was the person I confided in. If we were stranded on a deserted Island, she was the kind to give us the
last bite of the food.
The tuition fees were 16,000$ and I was still short by a whole eleven thousand. The principal tried his best but only managed to get me three more days to pay the fees.
I went home and threw myself on the couch. What was I going to do now? Where can I get the money from? I had to arrange for a whopping eleven thousand dollars in a mere three days or I would be kicked out of the school. All the years and efforts I put into it will go to waste.
I ransacked my head thinking about a way to earn quick bucks and when you are out of options, the internet is where you turn to.
I scrolled the internet all night, looking for a gig suitable for me but none of them paid enough. Just then, an advertisement grabbed my eyeballs and I clicked on it fast.
A low–end porn magazine company was looking for models for a nude photoshoot. The pay was good and they promised to protect the privacy of the model by hiding her face.
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My grip got stronger and stronger as I thought about it. Being a nude model was the last thing I wanted to do but I had no other choice. I was short on time and my whole
life here was at stake.
I did not sleep all night and contemplated it. I tried to look through more gigs but none of them worked.
“Fuck this.” I told myself and applied for the nude model gig. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?
I received a call from the magazine and they asked me to come to their office in the evening for the photoshoot.I was not thrilled but relieved that my bills would be paid
now.
The whole day I kept convincing myself that it was alright. It was just a job I was taking on to survive and my face would be hidden so there is no way anyone would ever find out it was me. Even if they did, it did not matter… A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
The day seemed to have passed within the blink of an eye. I put on a modest pair of jeans and a top and headed toward the agency.
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On the way, Jessica called me to ask me if I was sure about it. “Kylie, you don’t have to do this. You can come to my house, I am sure my father can figure something out.”
“Thank you for being generous, Jessica, but no.” I said, “Even if you lend me the money, there is no way I can pay it back. I don’t want to get you in trouble. I have to do this.”
She grunted and did not say anything but I could tell that she was worried. I assured her that it was alright and hung up.
1 put my phone inside my bag and continued to walk down the street when suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me aside into the alle
