5
542words
And her brother was waiting her to provide funds for community college admission.
That night, another sleepless night of mine.
Olivia tossed until dawn, then crept to the bathroom with her phone.
I followed, in time to overhear her calling with her family.
In the silence of the earliy morning, her mom’s voice rang clear.
“Mom, I need $2,000? Right now, it’s urgent!” Olivia whispered.
Her mom erupted, “What? You’ve got home only $6,300 total, and you want cash from me?”
“You are good for nothing, brought home nothing so far, and you dare ask for cash?”
“I mean…I'm borrowing…”O livia mumbled, too scared to argue. “I need it for Ethan’s console, in case he may break up with me…”
“No way!” her mom spat, “I told you he’s no good. What benefit did our family get from him since your long relationship stared?”
“Did you hide it from us?”
“No…I never, Mom…”
“I’ve kept nothing from you!” her mom snapped, “I spent $2,000 on your brother’s college slot—plenty of rich kids there.”
“The rest is for a car down payment to help him snag a wealthy girl. That's surely not enough—your brother needs a MacBook and iPhone…”
Reluctantly, she hung up.
Olivia collasped, sobbing in the empty bathroom.
Then she dried her tears, returned to the bedroom right before my bed.
“Sophie?”
“Hm?” I rubbed my eyes, pretending to be just wake up.
“Can you lend me some money?” She desperately managed her words.
After Iast night's event, she had no other way to get money, except from me.
“How much?”
“Two thousand.” She looked at me, explaining, “For Ethan’s console.”
I yawned as I got out of the bed. “I told you, Ethan wants a girlfriend matching his family fame. You can’t fool him forever.”
“Even if I help you out this time, you have already lost his trust. It’s no use to you.”
“It’s your fault to let he knows my background!” Olivia snapped, her eyes burning like fire then deflating.
Because she knew I was her only shot.
Her princess sweetheart performance took her a lot of effort to play out, and only we three who lived with in the same room knew the truth.
Her family wouldn’t help her to get things through.
And loaning money was out of question, which was too risky.
To keep Ethan—and milk him before finding a new mark—I was her last resort.
“I know…I was wrong…all this things I've done…” She sighed, “My family’s dirt-poor. My dad died in a factory accident—no payout.”
“Mom works in a sweatshop to raise me and my brother. I have to cover his college tuition.”
“Sophie, we’re both girls…” Her eyes teared, gripping my hand, “Girl helps girl…please, I’ll pay you back…”
In my past life, I’d brushed off her mooching.
My roommates were well-off. My parents were civil staff, provided us with good support.
Jason hustled through high school,covering his freshman year with scholarships.
I admitted, as roommates, I’d help her—too lenient, until that incident.
Because my parents were civil workers,Jason’s “harassment” scandal tanked their careers.
At last, they lost their jobs, their son, and their lives in despair.
