"I'll buy your coffee, but honey, you can't lose that scholarship. Next to nobody gets it and no one ever keeps it. The GPA requirements are insane. It looks good on paper, but holding those numbers for the entire length of your degree plan is - "
"Insane. I know, but it is what it is." My Dad used to say that. I smile weakly and look at my coffee. It's black. No sugar. No cream. 100% bitter, like my life.
"What are you going to do?"
I shrug. "No idea. I guess I'm not cut out for this." I don't mean it, but I feel like taking a pity trip, but Marty doesn't let me.
"No sir. Don't you dare start talking like that. You're nearly done. It makes no sense to give up now. Maybe you can shift your work schedule to give you later hours? You can study in the morning and - "
"And never sleep. Yeah, I tried that. It's not a good long term plan. There's nothing..." my words fall off my tongue. I stare at Marty, wondering what he would do - if he would take a job like the one I was offered if it would save him. "Marty, how far would you go if you were me? I mean, if there was a way for me to stay here, but it was..." my lips twitch as I search for the right word.
He doesn't even let me finish. "I'd tell you to do whatever it takes. Hell, sell pot to freshmen if you have to, but don't leave. Once you leave, there's no way you're coming back. If you give this up, it means you settled for a life you didn't want." He looks at me oddly, his thick hand strokes his stubbled chin. Marty has that linebacker look with thick blonde hair and buttery brown eyes. Basically, he's a teddy bear with uber good perception.
I don't look at him. I stare at the table and wish there was something else that I'd not thought of. After a moment of silence, I ask, "So, you'd understand if I did something stupid to stay here?"
He smirks, "As long as you don't get caught."
Maybe I'm asking the wrong person? I look at him for a moment before saying, "So, you'd do anything, as long as you didn't get caught?"
"Maybe." He lifts his cup to his lips, and pauses, "But not livestock."
I laugh. I can't help it. Today sucked. "You're such an ass."
"I can't help it. I've got a naturally assy thing going on." He shrugs and smiles at me. Leaning forward he says, "Cheers, baby," and clinks his cup against mine. "Here's to you finding the perfect opportunity."
Chapter 9
A few more days pass and I know I'm killing time. I twist the card Miss Black gave me, eyeing the phone number like it has teeth. Nerves twist my stomach into knots. Stop thinking, I scold myself and press the digits into my phone.
Miss Black answers on the second ring. "Can I help you?" she asks.
I find my voice. "Apparently, you can. I want to know what's next, if I accept your offer." I know Miss Black knows who I am, that she expected me to ring her.
"Pictures, blood tests, and setting up a profile page is the next step. All of that is done here. Come in tomorrow night at 7:00pm and don't be late." The line goes dead.
I look at the phone cradled in my hand. This is my choice. I choose not to sleep in a box. I choose to keep a roof over my head. I choose to be a... Mentally, I pause. I still can't admit it, not even to myself.
I dress quickly and run out of the apartment before Dennis tries to talk to me. He's Amber's boyfriend, a short, stocky looking guy that flirts with anything that breathes. I can't stand him. The only person who irritates me more is Amber. I tug a sweater over my head and pull on my sneakers. I lace them, hopping on my foot and practically running for the door. Amber isn't here, but she gave her boyfriend a key. Of course, she didn't ask me. I try not to think about it and make a beeline for the door.
Dennis is standing at the kitchen counter wearing nothing but a smile. Seriously. Pants, man! Put some clothes on. He starts to say something to me. I don't look at him.
"Not now, Dennis! And I swear to God, if you don't start wearing clothes when Amber isn't around, I'm going to put crazy glue on your favorite seat and laugh my ass off when yours is stuck to the sofa."
"Harsh. I'm just - " he says as I slam the door behind me and cut off his sentence. The guy is an idiot. He flirts with everyone and everything, and to top it off, he thinks walking around naked should be a sport. Maybe it should be, but not for him and not in my apartment.
I'm dressed comfortably tonight. I have to hitch a ride to get my car. I'm hoping it's still there and the place didn't tow it during the day.
Mel picks me up downstairs. "Hey, you ready?"
I nod. "Yeah, I couldn't be more ready." I walk around to the passenger side and slip into her car. Mel starts the car and stashes her purse in the back seat.
"Dennis?" she asks as I buckle up and she pulls into traffic. I nod. "Naked?" I nod again. "That fool needs to wear pants."
"I told him that I'd glue his ass to the couch if he doesn't cut it out."
Mel snort laughs and cuts someone off. They blare their horn at her. Mel flips the driver off and bobs and weaves through the cars like a race car driver. "I bet he took that well."
"I didn't stick around to find out."
"Uh huh, and with good reason."
Mel drives me to my car. She looks around like she wants to ask me something, but she doesn't. The parking lot is about half filled. My car blends in, well, as much as it normally does anyway. Thank God it wasn't towed.
I slip out and thank her. "I'll see you later tonight."
"Good deal. There's a party at Mack's. You planning on stopping by?"
I shake my head. The wind picks up and blows my hair. I tuck a strand behind my ear. "Can't. Gotta study."