Ruined

Sierra shakes her head. "You're such a weirdo."

My next call is to Mrs. Ruiz to let her know that I'll be coming in for work tomorrow.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The cab ride back into the city is going to cost me more than I can really afford, especially given that I’ve missed work. I have the driver drop me off at the nearest bus stop in the city so that I can shave eight dollars off the trip. I remember that Dan said he would deposit my cut of the down payment into my bank. I’m not sure how much of it he’ll let me keep, but it turns out not to matter. I check my bank balance on my app and see no new deposits.

“You’re back early,” Talia says when I walk through the door. “Thought you had to work late.”

“I told my supervisor I had to study for my midterm,” I reply, trying to sound upbeat though I feel like shit.

“I’ve got to leave for my evening class so I’ll catch you later.”

I’m glad to have our room to myself. I feel too miserable for company. As I unpack, I come across my textbook. Great. Now I won’t be able to study without first thinking about Tony. And everything he did to me.

I wonder what explanation Sierra will provide for my departure. But it doesn’t matter. I’m never going to see Tony or Eric again. And that’s a good thing.

I spend the rest of the evening with a pint of ice cream and the television, mindlessly watching Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It’s amazing how timeless fairy tales are. I bet a little girl who longs for her own fairy tale resides in all women. Maybe that’s why I let my judgment get clouded. Not that I had any illusions that Tony was my happily ever after, but maybe I thought he could be a temporary Prince Charming. A wickedly, sexy Prince Charming.

My cell rings. Seeing the phone number, I’m filled with dread.

It’s Dan.

“What the fuck?” Dan says as soon I pick up. “Where the fuck did you go? Eric wants his money back.”

“He groped me.”

Of all the people I thought I was going to tell, I did not expect it to be Dan.

“Oh my god, you’re kidding, right? That’s why you left? What’s wrong with you?”

I realize I should have come up with something that wasn’t the truth.

“You were going to make thousands of dollars,” Dan continues. “You don’t need that money anymore or something?”

“I changed my mind about things.”

“Jesus Christ. You’re fucked up. Even if you gave up your virginity, don’t expect to be paid a cent ‘cause you didn’t hold up your end of the deal. And now I’ve got to deal with a dissatisfied client. And not just any client. The son of the guy who could be our next fucking president!”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? You think ‘sorry’ is going to help?”

I don’t have a response. I feel too lousy to consider what I should say.

“Go fuck yourself,” Dan grumbles before hanging up.

I put the phone down and almost start to cry. It’s never fun to get yelled at, even if it’s undeserved. I did screw things up. I’m not sure Dan is someone worth worrying about, but I feel terrible nonetheless.

Again, I want to call Lila, but I’m too embarrassed at the moment. I hug one of the throw pillows and eventually fall asleep on the couch.

I wake up at five in the morning and decide to get ready for work. After work, I’ll head over to school and see if I can catch Mr. Parker.

“Virginia, can you come in my office?” Mrs. Ruiz asks just after I clock in.

I skip going to change and enter her office, sitting down across from her desk. I suspect she wants to talk about the days of work that I have missed.

“Virginia, you are aware of our policy about fraternizing with the guests,” she starts.