*June 22, 2023*
Today is my 18th birthday.
Yeah, I know, I'm finally legal. I guess that means I can start messing with older men now without them catching a case.
Why older men? Because they're a lot more mature then these fuck boys that go to my school. Besides, a bitch got bills to pay. I can't be trying to go to college when FAFSA wanna be stingy with their shit. Plus, I'm not living in the best of life situations right now. My family is poor and my mother is doing some heavy drugs. I mean, its just my mother, my little sister, and I but we try to make the best of it. We all work since my mom can't do it on her own, and if one of us miss any days of work then that's game over. We'll be wandering the streets again.
"Arissa!"
I can hear my mom calling me from downstairs. I ignored her. I feel like she's gonna ask me for some money just so she can blow it on some loud. I'm not having it today, she's just gonna have to take that L.
"Hey, happy birthday bitch! Don't you hear ya mom callin' you?" My sister said jokingly, leaning against my doorway.
Just to give you a clearer picture as to what she looks like, imagine Rihanna, but younger. Yeah, my sister is bad. She was wearing a red sundress with her hair down to her shoulders.
"Nadira, I am not about to give her anymore money. She is not about to have us out on the street because she tryna get her fix." I said, while I fixed my long brown hair in a bun, "I'm surprised she ever has enough to cover her portion of the rent."
She laughed.
"Well, she may be a crack head, but at least she's a responsible one," Nadira joked, "We got this sis, we ain't leaving this house."
"Yeah, I hope you're right."
My mom started yelling from downstairs:
"ARISSA GET CHA ASS DOWN HERE, I KNOW YOU HEAR ME CALLING YOU."
"Come on, we can go sneak out the back door. I ain't tryna be late messing with ya ass." Nadira said, leaving my doorway. I grabbed my book bag and followed behind her.
Every day my sister and I walk a mile from our house to the school. Standard shit, right? Well, today was a little weird. While walking we spotted a black luxury car, it was foreign. Not sure what kind, but no car like that should be seen in a hood like this. The windows were tinted, so you couldn't see the driver. It seemed like it was following us for a few minutes until it finally took a turn somewhere in the opposite direction.
"You seen that shit right?" Nadira said.
"Yes girl, whoever is in there got moneyyy." I said, sticking my tongue out.
"Bitch, fuck the money, there are some weirdos out here."
"Girl, they can be as weird as they want, as long as they're cutting a check."
Nadira giggled and shook her head.
When we finally made it to the school, my sister stopped me.
"Hey, listen. I might not see you later on, but I got something for you. I might as well give it to you now."
She pulled out a necklace with a pendant attached to it. The chain was gold, and the pendant was shaped like a heart. When she opened the pendant, it was a picture of us when we were babies. After seeing that, I couldn't help but get emotional.
"Happy Birthday, sis." She said, smiling. "Its the best I can do for you."
I tried to fight back the tears when I took it. I immediately put it on.
"Awh Dira, I love you." I made sure to give her a big squeeze to show my appreciation. I was truly happy.
"I love you too , sis. I gotta go, I'll catch you later."
I watched her as she ran towards the school.
...
School was school, so I'm not even going to get into that. The crazy shit that happened to me was after school, when I decided to chill on the bleachers near the football field. It was a lot on my mind, I had to worry about graduation, college, and just my life in general. Those thoughts immediately left my mind when a white man, came at the bottom of the bleachers looking up at me. He placed his foot on the bleacher and rested his arms on his leg.
"Hey." He said, with a smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"You are." I said with a stern face.
He was handsome though, tall, chiseled face, bulky build, tailored suit. He was suave. He definitely has money.
He laughed and sat on the bleachers. His laugh was so sexy, I started to get wet. I crossed my legs.
"My apologies, I couldn't help but notice how alone you were. What's a beautiful girl like you doing by herself ?"
My heart dropped, is he hitting on me? This man is old enough to be my damn dad, but I couldn't help but be flattered. I put my head down, he was starting to make me nervous.
"I'm fine." I said, in a low voice.
He walked up closer to me.
"I won't waste anymore time. I want something from you. In exchange, I'll pay you." He pulled out an entire band of cash wrapped in a rubber band .
"I want you to take pictures of yourself in various lewd attire. They'll be shipped to your house. Every time you provide me with photos, I'll give you money."
"...How do you know where I live?" I said, sounding concerned.
"Money can provide you with a lot of things, Arissa. You need it for your rent right? Tuition maybe? Perhaps help your mother get into rehab?"
He even knew my name, my situation, everything. At this point, I was scared. I had my guard up before, but now it is in full effect. I had my hands in my jacket pocket, readying my taser but... the money. I needed it.
"...And if I refuse?" I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Then you'll never see me again. It'll be like this conversation never happened."
I thought about it, but I couldn't come up with a definitive answer. After a few moments, he threw the stack of cash on my lap.
"Think about it." He said, walking away.
I picked up the money, amazed. I never held so much money in my life. A piece of paper was attached to the money. It was a number.
I had a lot to consider.
