Seasons of Love || Richard Camacho

2

December 15th

My head feels like it's filled with cotton and I need to get out of here. This guy has rank morning breath and I am too hungover to deal with this sort of smell. Sneaking out of hotel rooms has become my specialty. Luckily, the bus stop is nearby and it doesn't take too long before I get home. The first thing I do is shower. Scrub the night off my body. I softly hum to myself while putting on a bathrobe. It's so fluffy and pink, I love it. After eating a slice of toast, I take my scratch world map off the wall. Italy, done. With a little smirk on my face, I admire the map. After a fun night with an old friend, I realized how many nationalities I've fucked. So I started to keep track. 36 nationalities so far. I crack my neck and sit down on my couch. 'And she's alone again.' I say to myself. My phone rings and I sigh. 'Hi Mark.' 'Autumn, hi. Uh so I need you again.' 'When? What's the occasion?' 'Tonight. It's prom night.' 'Text me the details. Regular rates, yeah?' 'You are the best.' 'I know.' I end the call and I get up. Here's the deal: I kinda work as an escort. No contracts, no boss and no sex in exchange for money. I set the rules and I decide if I want to work with someone or not. I do get a lot of customers and they all pay me well. And I just see it as socializing and keeping lonely people company. Okay, it's difficult to explain, but as long as I know what I am doing, it's fine. I don't need to explain myself to anyone. I turn on the radio and shake my bum to an unfamiliar Spanish song. When it's over, a man starts talking about a concert coming up in a few months and teenage girls being crazy about this group. Sometimes I miss being a fangirl. But my escort-ass does not have time for that.

He kisses my cheek and puts an arm around my waist. People are staring. Mark is an attractive guy, but he's told me that he's not very popular. So I actually did my best to look extra good tonight. He introduces me to his friends. They all introduce themselves and keep asking us questions. 'How did you guys meet?' 'We met at a grocery store, actually. We both wanted the same apple.' 'And then?' 'Well I thought she was cute so I asked her if she wanted to go on a date.' 'And you invited her to prom?' 'I said I wanted something special. This definitely is special.' 'How old are you again?' 'I'm twenty-one. And I am going to get a drink. Mark, fancy walking me to the bar?' He just nods and follows me. 'For fucks sake man, your friends are way too curious.' 'I am so so sorry. They probably don't believe such a beautiful girl would ever go on a date with me.' 'You're a sweet guy Mark. You deserve a real date.' I down my drink and pull Mark towards the dance floor. 'Let's give those curious friends of yours a show, yeah?' He nods slightly and I start grinding against him. His hands are resting on my hips and he's basically frozen. I turn around and whisper in his ear. 'Dance, you idiot.' And he does. In a cute way. His friends are baffled and I just smile. Mission accomplished.

'Thank you, Autumn. Thank you so much.' 'It's alright Mark.' He hands me an envelope and I put it in my purse. 'Sleep well.' 'You too.' After entering my house, I put the money in my safe. I really need to pay the bank a visit. I take a quick shower and then I get ready for bed.