Linked

10: strip club money.

"I need you to do me a favor," I told Helios at school the next day.

"Sure," he said as we entered the classroom.

"Is your housemate Jamal Jasani free this weekend?" I asked.

"You're trying to make moves on him, aren't you?" Helios asked.

"You know me so well," I answered with a charming smile.

Jamila was next to me and she was smiling and jumping with excitement.

"How many days has it been since you last went out with Eduardo?" Helios asked as we sat down.

"I dunno," I answered without bothering to think about it. "Does it matter?"

"Soleil. Advice from me. Slow down. You're hoping from one guy to the next like it's nothing. That's not a good thing," Helios said.

"But I don't have any feelings for any of the guys I've been with. The most they've been to me is eye candy," I answered.

"Just like Jamal," Helios said.

"I-" He had a point. I just didn't want to admit it. "Jamal is more to me than eye candy."

"Really," Helios said in disbelief.

"Yes," I lied.

"Okay. Tell me. What do you see in this Jamal?" He asked.

"Ooh!" Jamila cried, getting my attention. I glanced at her.

"Jamal is smart and hard working," she told me.

I nodded before answering Helios' question. "I like how smart and hard working he is."

Helios still didn't look willing to tell me whether Jamal is free or not.

"Come on, Helios! Jamal might be the guy I've been looking for! No more disaster dates!" I begged as we sat down.

Helios sighed. "Get some actual feelings for him. Then I'll set you two up on a date."

I decided to play smart. "But how can I if I don't even talk to the guy? I can get a crush on him while I'm on a date with him. Besides, ain't dating just getting to know someone and decide whether you like them or not?"

We couldn't say anymore since the professor barged into the classroom. I shot a glare at Helios' direction before opening my notebook so I can jot down notes during my Sociology lecture.

"Don't worry! I'm a ghost! I'll find out of Jamal is free or not!" Jamila cried before running through the wall.

When classes were over, Jamila appeared out of nowhere next to me as I walked out of class.

"Is he free?" I asked.

"I didn't get to find out so I was thinking about following him home to see if he is or not," Jamila answered.

"Sure," I answered.

...

I had work at the fancy restaurant again.

I was busy walking back and forth in my heels that I wasn't sure how tall they were. All I know was that they were high. The serving tray was in my hands and I had to balance out the contents in order to prevent them from falling.

"Here's your food, sir," I said the minute I arrived at a table. I remembered to give the man a charming smile as I put his food and his drinks on the table.

"Thanks," the man said, tucking a few bills into my skirt from the band.

I shot one more charming smile before walking away. The minute I was in the kitchen, I pulled out the dollar bills. Does this man think this is some strip club?

$50 tip.

I prevented myself from doing a happy dance as I proceeded to tuck the dollars safely into my bra. My female co-workers shot me looks of jealousy as they walked past me.

Now I was tempted to do a happy dance just to piss them off even more.

Here I am again, walking around the restaurant while serving people the food I know that I couldn't exactly afford. I had to be extra polite to these people who could pay my whole college tuition like it was nothing. There was a lot of people to serve and my jealous female co-workers always made sure to shoot me dirty looks.

All of this managed to get my mind off the current problems I was having to deal with. I felt like a normal girl for the first time in days. There were no ghosts, no links, and, most importantly, no Sol.

"You know, you should just work at a strip club. I mean, you be acting like this place is one. Might as well work at one," one of my co-workers suggested as we were changing out. Our shifts were over and I had to go to a bar for my next job.

I know she was trying to push my buttons but I actually considered it. "Yeah...good idea. They pay well there."

Judging from the glare she gave me, I've pissed her off.

When I had changed out, I left through the back alley. I looked around. Where's Jamila? It would be nice if I could call her.

My phone started ringing to I answered the call and put the device to my ear. "What?"

"I need you to buy something," Sol's voice said on the other end.

"You're using Ortega's phone again?" I asked, removing my phone from my ear so I could see the caller ID. Yep. He was using Ortega's phone. I put the phone back to my ear.

"Does it matter?" Sol asked, annoyance laced in his tone.

"Damn, you mad at me or something?" I asked as I walked out of the alleyway.

"You on your way home?" Sol asked.

"No, I gotta work at the bar," I answered before I remembered something. "Should I work at a strip club?"

"Nah," Sol answered.

"Okay, moving on. What is it that you need me to buy? I'll stop by a store and buy it now before they all close," I asked.

"There are these Jordans I've been eying for a while. Lemme send you a pic," Sol answered.

"Jordans? Yo, those are crazy expensive! I'm not wasting my hard earned money on shoes that aren't even for me!" I cried.

"Why not?" Sol asked.

"Buy them yourself," I said as I approached a bus stop.

"I got no money," Sol said.

"That sounds like a you problem," I said.

"You still tryna go on a date with that Jamal guy?" Sol asked.

"Obviously," I answered.

Sol hung up.

I looked down at my phone in annoyance. I get it that he still doesn't want me to try to go out with Jamal but did he seriously have to suddenly end the call?

The bus arrived so I got on it. After, I got off and went to the building where the roof-top bar I worked at was on.

Later on into the night, I was still working my shift as a bartender when Jamal entered the bar with a group of guys.

Jamila the ghost came over to me. "Sorry I didn't come back!"

I looked around to see if anyone was watching me before talking to Jamila. "But you figured out his schedule, right?"

"Um..." Jamila backed away from me.

I frowned. She obviously didn't.

I proceeded to roll my eyes when I caught Jamal eying me from where he was sitting. Strategically, I smiled and moved a piece of my hair behind my ear.

Looks like I'll have to figure out if he's free or not by myself.

...
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