The final bell rang, and the classroom erupted with chatter as students rushed out. Ava stayed behind, quietly sliding her books into her backpack, making sure not to make eye contact with anyone. She adjusted the straps on her shoulders and slipped out, but not before Mike's friends caught sight of her.
"Hey, look, it's the charity case."
"She probably cleans toilets after school to afford lunch."
"Forget toilets, she'll be gone next week when they kick her out."
"She's too broke to even pay attention in class."
Their laughter echoed behind her like a chorus of knives. Ava kept her eyes on the floor, clutching her bag tighter. She'd learned that silence was the only defense she had.
When she finally stepped outside the school gates, the air felt different, lighter, as if a weight had fallen off her shoulders. Still, her heart ached with the pressure of tomorrow.
Will I even manage to pay my school fees? she thought bitterly. I only have $2,000 saved. That'll cover my rent... but it won't even come close to the $4,000 I need for tuition. What should I do?
Her thoughts flickered to her boss. I already begged Dane to raise my salary... but part-time wages barely cover food.
The streets stretched long before her, the fading sunlight slipping into dusk. Her school was far from the cramped apartment she rented, and every step home felt heavier than the last. A cool breeze whipped through her thin sweater, raising goosebumps on her arms. She hugged herself tightly, quickening her pace.
Lost in thought, Ava didn't notice the figure until she bumped into him. Her books nearly slipped from her bag.
"I-I'm sorry," she mumbled, bowing her head and stepping to the side, eager to escape.
But the man didn't move. Instead, a rough hand shot out, gripping her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going, bitch?" he sneered, his words slurred. The stench of alcohol rolled off him in waves. His eyes dragged over her figure, lingering on her chest despite her oversized sweater. His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Damn. Perfect body on such a little thing."
Ava froze, panic flaring in her chest. She tugged at her wrist, but his grip only tightened like iron. He's so strong...
Her back hit the wall as he shoved her against the cold bricks. His leer grew darker.
"If you let me fuck you, I'll give you $7,000," he said smoothly, as though making a business deal.
The words struck Ava like lightning.
$7,000...? Her mind spun. That's enough to cover my rent, my tuition, and food for weeks. But... what if he's lying? What if he doesn't give me anything? And my virginity... I'm only 19... I can't,
"H-how do I know you're not lying?" she stammered, her voice trembling. Her eyes darted around desperately, only then realizing where she was, an alley, dimly lit, far from the main road. Even if she screamed, who would hear her?
The man let out a harsh laugh that scraped at her nerves. "Ha! I knew it. You love money, don't you? Women these days... always spreading their legs for cash."
The insult burned through her chest, her heart pounding with a mix of shame and fury. Tears prickled at her eyes, but she bit down hard on her lip, refusing to let them fall. Don't cry... not here...
He leaned in close, his foul breath washing over her cheek. "I'll give you the money, bitch. All you have to do is shut up and do what I say. Now face the wall."
Before she could react, he spun her roughly, pressing her cheek against the freezing brick. Ava's breath came in sharp gasps, her body trembling.
I can't believe this is happening... This is so humiliating. My life... is this what it's come to? Trading myself just to survive? I don't want this. But I need the money. I need a future. I need... hope.
She shut her eyes tightly, her heart screaming a silent prayer. Please. Please, let everything get better someday...
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The next morning, Ava dragged herself through the school gates, her body aching with every step. She was an hour late, her backpack hanging heavily off one shoulder. In her pocket, her hand clenched tightly around a folded stack of bills, the same money that had stolen away something she could never get back.
I can't believe I did that... she thought bitterly, her throat tightening. But I had no other choice. If I didn't, I'd lose everything. My school... my future... my dream.
Her feet carried her down the hall toward the principal's office, but her mind replayed the night before in jagged fragments she couldn't silence.
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🌹LAST NIGHT🌹
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When it finally ended, he shoved her away as if she were nothing, and her body collapsed onto the cold, dirty ground. Her legs trembled beneath her, too weak to stand, her palms scraping against the pavement as she tried to push herself up.
The man zipped up his pants with a cruel smirk. "Pathetic. Here, take your damn money!"
He pulled a thick wad of cash from his pocket and flung it in her face. Bills fluttered down around her, sticking to her damp cheeks as if mocking her.
Ava's breath caught in her throat as she scrambled to gather them, desperation burning in her chest. Her fingers clutched at the crumpled notes, her tears falling faster, blurring her vision.
I'm doing this for my future... she told herself, over and over, as if the words could erase the humiliation burning through her veins. I have to survive... I have to...
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🌹BACK TO THE PRESENT 🌹
Ava blinked back the tears threatening to spill as she stepped into the principal's office.
Principal William sat behind his desk, tapping at his computer keyboard. The moment he looked up and saw her, concern filled his eyes.
"Ava! I was starting to worry. You didn't show up this morning," he said, standing slightly.
Ava forced a small smile, masking her exhaustion. "Principal William... here. This is the money."
She gently set the bundle of bills, neatly wrapped in paper, onto his desk.
His brows lifted in relief, and his smile widened as he picked it up. "Thank goodness. I knew you wouldn't let your future slip away. I'm proud of you."
His words stung. If only he knew the price she had paid. Ava kept her smile steady, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"You seem... tired," he said, tilting his head. "Is everything alright? You can talk to me if something's wrong."
Her heart lurched. For a moment, she wanted to spill everything. But the words froze on her tongue. No one could know. Not him, not anyone.
"I'm fine," she whispered softly, her voice steady despite the storm inside. "I stayed up late studying last night, that's all. I guess I'm just a little drained."
He chuckled warmly, shaking his head. "That's not good for your health, but it's good for your grades. Just make sure you get some rest over the weekend, alright?"
"Yes, sir," she said with a polite nod.
"Good. Now off you go, you're already quite late today."
Ava turned to leave, feeling lighter after their brief conversation. He's so kind... I wish everyone could be like him.
As she walked through the halls, another thought struck her. My assignment... today's the deadline.
She had stayed up late the previous night, finishing it despite the pain coursing through her body. If she handed it in during Mr. Charles' class, he'd tear her apart for being late. Better to place it on his desk before he even saw her.
Gathering her courage, Ava made her way to the teachers' offices, clutching the neatly written paper in her hands. She pushed the door open, and froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Mr. Charles stood there, his shirt unbuttoned halfway down, exposing a chiseled chest and toned abs. Lipstick smeared across his jawline. And pressed against him, lips red and swollen, was none other than Mrs. Britney.
They broke apart in an instant.
"I thought you locked the door!" Mrs. Britney hissed, quickly smoothing her hair as her face flushed scarlet.
Mr. Charles turned, his sharp eyes narrowing at the intruder, then softening into a smirk when he realized who it was.
"Oh," he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. "It's just you."
Mrs. Britney glanced at Ava, her eyes flashing with irritation. "You didn't see anything, Ava. Do you understand?" she snapped before quickly grabbing her purse and brushing past, muttering under her breath as she hurried out the door.
That left Ava alone, standing frozen in the doorway, with Mr. Charles' gaze locked firmly on her.
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