CHAPTER THREE: I Need Money.

Sophie felt her heart sink.

“Mrs..Mrs..Nicole what are you saying?” Sophie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs Nicole adjusted her glasses as she started, “You heard me right Sophie. Listen, I can't allow you study here anymore. You're yet to pay your outstanding tuition fee and I'm very much aware that you're planning to do the same thing semester.”

Sophie swallowed hard, “Umm, Mrs Nicole, I promise I'll pay up my tuition fee, i just need a little more time. Things are just difficult for my mom since…”

“Since your dad's death right?” Mrs Nicole cut in before she could finish.

Sophie nodded sorrowfully.

“Dear, this is the same story. I understand how greatly the loss of your father has affected your family financially but I can't keep allowing you study at the expense of the school's financial stability.” Mrs Nicole said in a sympathetic but firm tone.

“I understand. I'll surely pay my outstanding bills and this semester’s in a few weeks.” Sophie promised, feigning a smile.

Mrs Nicole sighed, “I really hope you keep to your promise this time.”

Sophie rose up gently from the chair, “I will.”

And with that, Sophie exited the room.

As the door slammed shut behind Sophie, she felt the burden of her debts fall upon her.

How am I going to raise the money in such a short time?

I don't even have a job. How will I fulfill my promise?

Ugh, I can't even ask my mom, she's using her salary to sort out dad's loan.

Sophie sighed heavily in a fit to snap herself out of her thoughts as she approached her classroom.

“Sophie!” Amanda yelled.

Sophie slid a palm down her face, “Why the hell are you yelling my name like that?”

Amanda took her books off the table for Sophie to sit.

“Why'd you take so long in the principal's office? Mrs Rose’s class already ended.”

Sophie rounded her arms around her chest as she took a seat on the table.

Amanda noticed Sophie's demeanor, “What's wrong? Why'd you look so sad?”

“It's nothing. I don't look sad. I'm just having a mood swing.” Sophie lied.

Amanda narrowed her eyes, “You're not even good at lying. I'm your best friend, Sophie, I can tell the difference between your sadness and your mood swing.” she said, bumping her shoulder lightly against Sophie's.

Sophie pursed her lips.

“Talk to me Sophie. What's wrong?” Amanda asked softly.

“Mrs Nicole said I won't be graduating.” Sophie said, sadness evident in her tone.

Amanda’s lips curved sadly to the side, “Is it about your bills again?”

Sophie nodded, tears gathering her eyes.

Amanda rose up, patting Sophie softly on the back.

“I understand how painful this must be for you but don't worry, we'll find a way around this okay?”

Sophie turned to Amanda, “How? I don't have a job, my mom's salary is being used to pay the loan? How am I going to get out of this?” Sophie asked while trying to fight back the tears.

“Sophie, just calm down. We'll figure something out. I could ask..”

“Buzz” Amanda's phone blared, cutting her off mid sentence.

Amanda picked up her phone to see a notification.

“Oh my god!” Amanda screamed as she stared at the image on her phone.

Sophie turned to Amanda, “What is it?”

“It's a post from Blair Hill.”

Sophie rolled her eyes, “Big deal?”

Amanda passed the phone to Sophie, “Oh it's a big deal alright. She just made a hundred thousand dollars in one night.”

Sophie stared at the phone in astonishment, “How did she do that? Who is she?”

Amanda leaned in, to avoid being heared by her classmates.

“She's a celebrity stripper on tweetflash.” Amanda whispered behind Sophie's ears.

Sophie gasped softly. “Woah.”

“I know right? Sometimes I wish I could get all that money too but I can never see myself working as a stripper. It doesn't feel right.” Amanda said.

“Yeah, I could really use that money.”

Amanda smiled, “Don't worry, we'll search for an online job together or an after school job or something.”

“Thank you” Sophie appreciated before drawing Amanda in for a hug.

Right after that, the geography teacher walked in.

They had two more classes before calling it a day.

Sophie's walk home was filled with a lot of thinking.

She couldn't get her mind off the stripper she has seen on Amanda’s phone, particularly because of the money she made.

Considering her current situation, it would cover a lot for her.

How can I get that much money? She wondered.

Sophie suddenly stopped in her tracks, she took out her phone from her bag and searched online for available jobs.

And then an idea popped up in her mind….

*****

Maria passed the broom and napkin to Sophie standing by the door, “Dear, can you help me clean up this room? I want to assist the chef downstairs with his chores.”

Sophie smirked “Mom, you're already passing the broom to me so how can I possibly refuse?”

“Silly girl.” Maria chuckled as she made her way downstairs.

Sophie walked in to the room, “The place isn't even messy yet she wants me to clean it up.”

Sophie took a look around, the room was quite luxurious.

From the pictures on the wall, she could tell it was a male's room.

How come I've never seen him around? Sophie thought.

“Well, I leave early for school so maybe that's why.” She muttered to herself as she moved towards the small bookshelf by the window.

Sophie dusted the books and then moved to the table to clean it.

She was about to sweep and then she realized she didn't have the dustpan with her.

“Mom must be with it.” And with that she walked towards the door.

Sophie noticed a stain on her shirt and was trying to wipe it off when she bumped into a guy.

“Hey, watch where you're going.” Scott called in an annoyed tone.

Sophie raised her head to see who she bumped into, “I'm so so sorry. I didn't see you coming.”

“Obviously.” Scott said as he walked in.

“Who are you and what were you doing in my room?”

Sophie felt nervous but managed to answer, “I'm..Sophie. The nanny's daughter. My mom asked me to clean up the room and that's what I was doing.”

“Alright. That's enough cleaning. Leave my room.” Scott ordered.

“But I'm not done…” Sophie started but was cut off.

“I said, leave.” Scott said with a stern face, pointing at the door.

Sophie immediately scurried away like a scared child.

“He's so rude, jeez.” She complained as she walked down the stairs.

Sophie headed towards the kitchen with the broom and napkin in her hand, she almost forgot they weren't the only ones in the building.

“Mom, I'm done with…” Sophie stopped herself immediately she saw her mother's eye signal.

She quickly moved into the room close to the kitchen.

“Phew, that was so close. If Mr Russuo had seen me trying to enter the kitchen with these things in my hand, he would have given me an ear full for sure.” Sophie whispered to herself.

Sophie stood in the dimly lit room for some minutes and was finally ready to step out.

She peeked her head out about to exit, when she suddenly heard a noise coming from inside the room.