Show & Sell

“Yeah, but like...what’s the point of me waiting all this time just to throw it away there?” I question.

“Billionaire,” he replies.

Goddamn him.

I don’t like it, but he has a point. We could actually save the business and have money to cushion us the rest of our lives depending on how much I sell for.

“Okay.”

“Really?!” he blurts. “You’ll really do it?”

“I don’t know. I’m thinking about it,” I say with a sigh. “It’s for the family. For Mom and Dad’s legacy. But I’ll be damned if a dime of it goes to your fucking problem.”

He rolls his eyes at me. I still don’t like this idea, but even with everything he’s done, I still know Anders means well.

And on some level, despite his downfall, I still look up to him. He’s my big brother. I can’t just forget all of the times he’s helped me, even if he hasn’t in a while.

I pull out some pizza I ordered last night and reheat it in the microwave. I throw some on two plates and slide one over to Anders across my dining room table.

As we eat, I chew on the thought of actually selling my virginity. I mean, people literally just give theirs away. Then it’s gone.

It’s not special anymore. It’s just sex. Anders watches me as I take another bite.

“It really will save us, you know. This is a good plan. You have to admit it. Just do it,” he says.

As I finish my last bite, I let out a deep sigh. I don’t think I’ll ever be sure even if, somehow, I find ‘the right one’.

“I’ll do it,” I announce.

“Hell yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!” he shouts.

“Do you know where I sign up?”

He gives me a strange grin. “You already are.”

My heart skips a beat. My face flushes, and I shoot him a death glare.

“What?” he began. “The cutoff was today, and I figured if I couldn’t get you to do it, they’d just skip you on the roster or whatever.”

I’m a little pissed, but I know there’s really nothing for me to do about it now. I let it go.

“Yeah, whatever,” I say, watching Anders scarf down his last bite of pizza.

What a shit he is. He comes in after having gone missing for days, unloads this crazy news on me, and manages to finish the rest of my pizza without a thank you.

I’m really ready for the day to be over. I don’t want to think about it anymore.

I just want it all to be done for now. My eyelids are even heavy. I’m emotionally worn out, and it’s physically affecting me.

“Well, I need some sleep,” I admit. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I better.”

“Alright, sis. You really won’t regret this. I know it,” he says as he walks out the door.

I wait for the door to close completely, and I walk over and latch the deadbolt. I walk through the hallway into my room and crawl into bed, still fully dressed from the day.

I don’t give a fuck. I’m just exhausted. I get tucked in and nestle into my pillow.

And then it hits me.

Every emotion. Every reaction. Every unsaid word.

They all catch up to me, and I just let it all out, soaking my cheek and pillow as I cry myself to sleep.Chapter 5Aurora

My throat is tight with nerves.

This thing I’ve been saving my entire life—my virginity—is up for grabs.

I feel sick, nauseated, and queasy.

This is not me, not who I am.

What the fuck am I doing here? I look over at my brother, who is in his usual drugged-out state.

“What is it this time, Anders? Are you high on weed, cocaine, alcohol? Or is it a mix of all of them?”

He glares at me through blood-shot eyes.

I can’t even believe he’s making me do this. In truth, I’m here by choice, but it’s his fault for blowing through all of mom and dad’s money on drugs. They’d be devastated to see him like this, just as I am.

That doesn’t change the fact that we’re on our way to the Billionaire’s Virgin Auction.

I rap my fingers nervously on my legs and count down the moments until we arrive.

“Aurora, you really need to relax,” Anders says for about the thirtieth time in the same car ride.

I know he’s trying to help. I do. But telling a nervous person to just relax is about the worst way to actually get them to ease up.

“Do you want to get up on a stage to bid off your virginity?” I snap at him.

“Ha! My virginity is long gone. And besides, none of those men would want to see a dude up there. I don’t know what you’re so concerned about. It’s not that big a deal,” he answers.

“Don’t make it seem like it’s not okay to be nervous. This is me; it’s my body and my life. This is something entirely new to me, and I could use some actual support or guidance instead of your bullshit,” I reply.