Rags & Riches

Chapter One: Money Troubles

"They can't expect me to pay all of this..."

It was mid September, autumn leaves decorating the twilight evening in a flourish of burning colors swirling in the cool breeze. The purple sky was halved by the inky black following behind it, clouds blotting out most of the stars as night approached.

The city below was alive with the sounds of people bustling about, light glaring wildly in every direction, illuminating the streets filled with speeding cars and bordered by the residents who lived there. Their chatter was irrefutably loud, vibrations clashing with each other and muddied outside of their general origin into the echoes of their neighbors. One person however remained perfectly silent amongst the storm of sound, a look of deep frustrstiob plastered on his face.

Dressed in rather baggy jeans, a grey hoodie, and dark glasses, the individual was easily lost within the swirl of colors that was the city's crowd. His skin was smooth and brown, freckles dotting the bridge of his nose and the inner parts of his cheeks. His glasses hung along the edge of his nose, constant yawning from lack of sleep keeping them slid just beneath his eyes. His hair was a curly, nappy, nest of curls, unkept from constant behead besides a occasional headpat to shape it. His eyes were peculiar, almost black without any light to reveal the deep brown color.

As he slugged forward down the center of the of the sidewalk, his gaze was empty, so much so that one could say he were lost in thought. In truth, he was running over a multitude of scenarios within his mind.

"If I cut back to two ramen packs a day...no maybe if I change my wifi speed...shit man..."

He groaned softly, his hopes of being able to budget his life correctly to meet the blue number on his phones screen rapidly dwindling.

'$3,067.'

"Fuck man...I can barely meet rent as it is..."

A sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed the stubble upong his chin, thinking over possible options before pocketing his phone in defeat. He walked past a dark alley, glancing in it's direction only to make eye contact with a pair of hazel ones. It didn't take long for him to realize what the woman attached to them was, her cheap leopard print sundress and jean jacket giving the immediate impression of a local prostitute. She was holding a dim flame to a crooked cigarette when she noticed him, his body tensing as he lengthened his stride and stared keenly ahead. Just as relief crept along the brim of his mind, his arm was suddenly scooped under and taken hostage, the aroma of cheap perfume and cigarettes invading his nostrils.

"See something you like, Big Zaddy?"

Obnoxious chewing came from the mouth of the woman standing next to him, those hazel eyes staring at him as they continued to walk. He coughed, pulling his arm from her grasp and trying to move away.

"Nah, shawty. I'm cool on that, ain't got enough money for it anyways-"

"Come on, baby, it don't cost much for a good time!"

He paused, hearing a soft crack chin her voice before taking a second glance at her. She was light in skin tone, freckles dotting the bridge of her nose. Her skin was healing from past bruises along her cheek and eye, poorly hidden by makeup. Her frame was slender but hints of unhealthiness shown along her stomach, signs of starvation showing. Her smile was painted over with pink gloss, but her eyes gave it away. Bright and yet filled with despair and franticness.

He closed his eyes and sighed, walking forward, moving past her as her face dropped slowly. She moved to return to the alley before a sudden snap grabbed her attention. He looked back and made a nodding motion, motioning for her to follow.

"Fuck it. Ain't like I can continue the next semester anyways..." He mumbled to himself as he waited for her. He looked down at his phone as he pulled it from his pocket, checking the time. 3:30 am.

"I think McDonald's is still open."

"They don't let me use the bathroom there anymore but we can go behind the dumpster-"

"YO CHILL THAT SHIT OUT IM JUST GETTING YOU SOMETHING TO EAT DAMN."

He looked at her irritably as she blinked, baffled by his words.

"Wait you aren't one of those preacher niggas are you? Look I ain't bout to convert or whatever the fuck just because you give me a meal."

He rubbed his temples softly before breathing out.

"You can't do what you do like that."

She stopped, giving him a indignant look.

"Fuck you know about 'what I do'?"

He kept walking, forcing her to resume her stride if she wanted her answer.

"I'll explain inside. Too damn cold out here anyways."

"Fine. Whatever."

The two walked in silence for a few moments before reaching the restaurant door, his hand pressing against it and begining to enter before noticing she had remained a few feet back.

"What?"

"I told you, I'm not allowed in there anymore."

"Oh, yeah. Aight wait here then."

"Nigga it's cold the fuck? Do you want to do this or not-"

"You're too desperate."

He closed the door and turned towards her, leaning against the window. She stared at him with a glare, opening her mouth to speak before being interrupted.

"You can't attract anyone but men looking for a quick handjob for ten bucks when you got that much desperation in your eyes. You smell. You haven't eaten a full meal in days, maybe weeks. You got marks on you. You're dressed in the most ho shit I've seen in a minute. And you really expect to get anyone to pay you for your services? Niggas can get the same type of pussy just by buying they local thot a bag of hot flammins."

She stood there stunned, a rush of embarrassment, guilt, and anger spelling inside of her as he moved for the door again.

"You can wait or go. I don't really care. Too damn cold for this shit. Just means a extra burger for me."

He walked inside the doors, leaving her to her own thoughts as he got in line.