Fast Money

• 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞

2014

"...Ms. Pete!" Professor Smith exclaimed, waking Megan from her daydream. "Are you still with us, or should we end class early for you today?" he questioned sarcastically.

"Sorry, sir. I just have a lot on my mind right now," Megan replied, shifting her attention back to the front of the class.

"As I was saying, I want to focus on personal brands. Personal brands are simply who you are and what you're about. What do people associate with your name or persona? What are people's perceptions of you as a person or your character as a whole?" Smith explained.

"Think of the poem Phenomenal Woman by Dr. Maya Angelou. That's her personal brand. She states that when she walks into a room, all eyes are on her, even though she doesn't fit society's depiction of the 'perfect woman,'" he continued. "Your assignment for today is to recreate Dr. Angelou's poem to fit your own personal brand and think about the adjective that you want to describe yourself." He dismissed the class.

"Megggg!" Megan's best friend Alyssa called as she walked back to her dorm.

"Hey, bookie," Megan said, playfully smacking Alyssa on her behind and sticking her tongue out.

"Fruit loop," Alyssa replied, causing the duo to laugh. "What you 'bout to do?" she asked.

"Smith wants us to rewrite some poem and make it fit the way people see us," Megan replied.

"Ouuuu, I got the perfect title for yours— Big Booty Bitch," Alyssa laughed.

"Hahaha, bitch," Megan side-eyed her. "Anyway, where you going?" she questioned.

"Girl, I'm finna go take a nap. I gotta work tonight," Alyssa replied. "You need to come with me and shake that ass for some cash," she teased.

Alyssa was a dancer at Onyx Lounge, one of the biggest gentlemen's clubs in Atlanta, second only to Magic City.

"Girl, please," Megan rolled her eyes. "I am not finna go shake my ass for a bunch of horny niggas like some hoe."

"Bitch, what you tryna say?" Alyssa shot a sharp look at Megan.

"I mean... not you, bookie," Megan flashed her a quick smile.

"Mhm, watch that before I have to lay a belt on that ass," Alyssa said with a fake smile. "I still think you should come. You can't survive off Waffle House tips forever," she tried to persuade Megan.

"Oh shit, I'm late for work!" Megan remembered. "I'llseeyoulaterbookieloveyoubyeeee," she hurried back to her dorm to get dressed for work.

She rushed into her room, took a quick shower, went through her hygiene routine, quickly got dressed, and rushed out the door.

"You're late again," said store manager David as she walked through the door.

"David, I'm sorry, it won't happen again," Megan replied, going behind the counter and putting on her apron.

"I know it won't happen again—you're fired," David stated.

"Fired? For showing up late once?" Megan replied, shocked.

"Once this week. You're constantly late, getting into altercations with customers and staff, and you have three no-call no-shows. I'm sorry, Megan, but I have to let you go," David explained.

"You know what," Megan snickered, trying to keep her cool, "fine. I couldn't stand working for your shit-breath ass anyway," she threw her apron at him and stormed out of the building.

She headed back to campus and walked into her dorm.

"I thought you had to work?" Alyssa asked, sitting on her bed.

"I did. David's punk ass fired me for being late again," Megan replied, taking off her uniform.

"Aww, I'm sorry, bookie. I know how much you needed that job," Alyssa sympathized. "So what are you going to do now?" she asked.

Megan finally broke down and made a decision that would either make or break her. "...What time should I get ready tonight?"

•••••
So whart are we thinking so far? Let me know in the comments!

excuse any errors 🤍

- TrezzyProductions