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I place my elbow on the armrest to my right. I stare out of the window, studying all of the flashy signs that pass by.
There’s a sign at the MGM Grand with some men with big arms on it. I can’t really see it from where we are or with the glare of the sun right behind it. I look away.
After sitting in traffic for nearly twenty minutes, we finally arrive at the Aria. Seeing it brings me so much relief—so much pleasure. We’re finally here.
It’s so big. So shiny. Guests flood in and out of the front entrance, cab drivers pulled to the side.
A long line waits up front for cabs. Women are dressed in their sexiest attire and men are sporting their best name-branded clothing. No one looks below average here. They all look… rich.
Shane drives towards the valet and then climbs out of the car after parking it.
He tosses the valet driver the car keys and I climb out in my wedges, tucking the loose strands of my recently-highlighted brown hair back. Some pieces stick to my forehead and the nape of my neck.
I’m still hot, but not as much as before. A cool breeze flows down from the ceiling fans. It feels amazing.
As I make my way towards the entrance with Shane at my side, several men look my way. I feel their eyes hard on my hips, my bust, but I never look to see who’s actually watching.
I can’t lie and say it doesn’t give me a sense of empowerment. After leaving Fox River and spending so many months down in the dumps, I gained more than the freshman fifteen.
I gained over twenty pounds. I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes. I felt like a revolting slob.
So one day I decided to make a change.
I needed a change.
I needed to do better.
I needed to remember my worth.
I took up an aerobics class, as well as kickboxing, to unleash some anger here and there, and on top of that, I met Shane Crastor at a frat part during the end of my junior year. My guy friend—well, my rather rich guy friend, I should say.
He’s asked me to officially be his girlfriend over a dozen times, but he’s too much of a loose cannon for me. I’ve never said yes to him, but of course he thinks we are “together.” Right now I am a misguided soul, going with the wind, and he just so happens to carry a nice breeze.
Sadly, Shane takes full advantage of my misguided ways. In a sense, I do need him right now.
I don’t care that he’s rich. Honestly. I’ve been surrounded by money all my life. There was just something about him that got to me when we first met. I don’t know if it was his confidence, his pride, or maybe it was just the fact that he reminded me of… someone from the past.
His money is a good thing for me now. It comes in handy, since I haven’t looked much into my musical career yet.
I know what you’re thinking.
What about my parents?
Allow me to explain.
My Dad used to send me money every month so my rent could be paid, my fees would be covered, and for groceries, etcetera.
He stopped sending money to my account after a while. He never told me his reason why, but I know Mom had something to do with it. I know she’s still upset about what I told her about Mitchell.
Though it was true, it was also a mistake on my behalf. Mom has Dad on a leash, and if she says stop, he’ll stop right away.
When I was running low on funds I called Dad one day and he told me these exact words: “Jenny, you are growing up. It’s time to create your own opportunities. It’s time to be a woman. This world isn’t easy, and if you aren’t ready now, you never will be.”
I knew that was just some lame excuse to cover up for Mom, so I hung up.
I haven’t spoken to him since and I haven’t spoken to Mom since I left for college.
And to think I was going to end whatever this was with Shane as soon as my lease was up. Luckily, I’d saved up enough money from what Dad had sent. He would always send too much.
Now…well, Shane pays for my nicer things, as well as some of the bills I can’t pay. I had a job on the side where I taught kids vocal and guitar lessons. It was making me pretty good money to get by, and it helped pay off some of my student loans as well as my rent, but it wasn’t enough.
I stopped vocal lessons when Shane found out. He told me he would help me as long as I focused on finishing school and graduating…so I did just that.
