Summer Alexander’s POV

“You did what?!” Hanni choked on her drink and she quickly grabbed some tissue to wipe her mouth.

“Yes, I crashed my motorcycle into Darren Conte’s car.” I said flatly. Hanni is currently sitting in the chicken restaurant that I worked at midnight. I told her that I needed her and she came without any questions.

“Darren’s dad is my dad’s friend.” She said.

“Yes and that won’t help anything. I still owe that asshole 100.000 dollars.” I let out a sarcastic laugh.

“In a week too.”

“I’m done with life, I’m tired. How can I find that amount of money in such a short amount of time?” I sighed.

“I can lend you some money, you can pay it back slowly.” She said and I shook my head. She knew that I hate borrowing money from her. I borrowed her once and I felt so guilty.

“Thanks for the offer but I’m good.”

“Summer, listen-”

“I’ll be okay, I swear.” I said, assuring her.

“Okay.”

“But Darren Conte is an asshole so you need to… watch your back.” She warned and I nodded.

“You’re still up for tomorrow right?” Hanni asked me to be her plus one tomorrow. Her company is having an event and she doesn’t want to be alone. Her parents let her take me and I promised her a few weeks back.

“Yes.”

“Great! You’re the best! My houseб 3 pm, okay?”

“That’s too early, I’ll go there at 5.”

“No! I will drag your ass then!” She hissed and I chuckled.

“Fine. You win.” I said as I leaned my body back to the chair.

“Right. Your birthday is in a week. Any plans?”

“Paying Darren Conte’s car.” I said flatly and I could hear Hanni cursing under her breath.

“I’ll help you get a decent job.”

“Impossible to collect 100.000 dollars in a week, Hanni. I need a year for it, not a week.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No, I rather you don’t.” I shook my head as I grabbed my glass of cold water.

“Why is it so hard for you to have fun? I want you to have fun!”

“I know. I’ve been saving my money to find my parents and now I have a big debt to Darren that will cause me everything. He will throw me to jail if I don’t pay him soon.”

“He said that?! That’s stupid!”

“I might sell some things that I have.”

“Summer, let me help you. Please… just this time.” She begged and I shook my head.

“I’ll be okay.”

“That’s what you always say to me.”

“And I’ll say it again.” I smiled and she rolled her eyes.

The next day, I went on the same routine. I’m a living robot if you ask me.

“Summer! I need you to deliver this!” I turned to see my boss walking out from the kitchen with a plastic bag.

“There’s two.” He said as I walked to him and I sighed seeing the plastic bags. They ordered a lot of things. I grabbed it and walked out. I got on my motorcycle and thought about the debt that I have. I have 6 days left and I should be selling my things.

I quickly delivered all the food and I gave my boss the money. My shift ended a few minutes ago so I told him that I have to go. He gestured to me to go and I changed my clothes first. I went straight to Hanni’s house.

“You’re so late!” She hissed.

“Sorry.”

“Jump into the shower because I can’t wait to doll you up!” She squealed and I rolled my eyes. I put my things on her table and went straight to the shower. I quickly dried myself and walked out from the bathroom.

Hanni walked to me in a long white dress with an off shoulder model. It will make me look so elegant and for sure I will look beautiful in it.

“Wear it!”

“Okay.”

“After that sit here, I’ll make you pretty.” She said and I put the dress on. She helped me zip up the dress and I sat down on her vanity. I curled my hair first and she helped me braid it. She then put on my makeup.

“You look beautiful!” She said as she closed her lipstick. She gestured to me to look at the mirror. I was surprised that she did so much better than before.

“Now, let’s wear heels and go! We’re going to be late if we don’t go now!” She said and I nodded. She checked herself one last time and we took a selfie before going. We got into her car and her driver drove us to the venue.

“There’s a lot of people.” I said and Hanni sighed.

“Just ignore them.” The car stopped and we got out. The cameras were clicking like crazy and the flash was blinding my eyes. Hanni dragged me in fast.

As we’re going in, someone bumped me until I was pushed to the man beside me. I turned to say sorry and looked up to see it’s none other than Darren Conte. His eyes studied me and I was hoping he wouldn't recognize me.

“What are you doing here, Summer?” He smirked, and shoot!

“She’s my friend, Darren.” Hanni hissed as she linked her arm to me.

“Your friend? Hmm… up for her money?” I looked at him in disbelief and found myself slapping him.

“I’m not that pathetic.” I said coldly and rolled my eyes at him. He bores me and I was about to go when he grabbed my wrist.

“Come with me!” He hissed and I turned to Hanni, gesturing to her to stay.

“You really had the guts to slap me in front of everyone?!” He burst once we arrived at an empty hallway.

“You’re really messing with the wrong person.” He hissed.

“I’m not sorry, you insulted me.”

“Ah… you want me to add to your debt?”

“No.” I said and he let out an evil chuckle.

“One million dollars in 6 days.”

“If you don’t pay me, I’ll throw you to jail.”

“I hate you.” I hissed under my breath.

“Good.”