One for the Money

Author's note: I wrote this under the psuedonym Elizabeth Bean, Liz Bean, Lesbian, I thought it was a clever play on words. I don't think I've shared this with you yet and it's no longer on Amazon, but I think it was pretty good. A few people have inspired me to get back into writing, so maybe I'll start sharing a chapter or two, or an old book, every Sunday. It's nice to mix it up sometimes, you don't want to get burned out and admittedly that has begun to happen to me. Step away, do work a little differently, and then come back refereshed.

Chapter 1

I never knew how drastically my life would change in just fifteen minutes. My ambitions would be put on hold; perhaps permanently. My five-year plan that I developed like a year ago…gone. Seriously, everything I ever wanted had been tossed out the window. And like the pile of colorful leaves outside, my dreams were blowing away.

“Twenty thousand dollars?” I asked, watching the wind toss the autumn leaves recklessly, lifelessly, just outside the window. I was seated in a heavily-cushioned chair; you know the kind that is so ridiculously cushioned that you can barely feel your ass on the seat. Soft white noise, like a gentle thunderstorm, played outside the closed door. The Dean’s office was not where I wanted to be—and what I learned I never wanted to know. Twenty thousand dollars, that was apparently how much I owed for tuition. To say I was feeling upset would be a gross understatement. “Okay, but what about my scholarship? They said they would cover my full tuition.”

“Your scholarship covered twenty-five thousand dollars a year, of which you typically used twenty-thousand, only if,” began the Dean of Admissions, “you ended the semester with a 4.0 GPA. We’re nearing the end of November, Julie—”

“Julia, actually,” I could feel my blood beginning to boil. My scholarship, which I had earned by taking Honors classes in High School, meant nothing anymore. It meant nothing anymore because I hadn’t maintained the highest possible GPA. Such bullshit.

“Julia,” the Dean continued, “the semester is ending in four weeks. Your current GPA is 3.5 and your scholarship will be null and void by then.”

“Null and void?” I didn’t even know it was possible to lose your scholarship before today. It was a tough year, 2016, and it seemed like it would only got tougher.

“Yes, if you wish to continue attending this school, twenty thousand dollars will cover your tuition for the next calendar year, depending on your class load.”

All I could think of was my scholarship and how they were planning to cut me off in just four weeks. “So, they’re dropping me because of my grades? That’s bullshit.”

“Let me explain something, Julia…”

He continued talking, but I stopped listening. All I could think about was the words ‘null and void’. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I didn’t think leaning forward to display my cleavage would’ve given me an edge. And sleeping with him was out of the question, I wasn’t that desperate. Or was I? At this point he hadn’t offered. How far would I go to stay in school? While he continued talking, I started sizing him up. He’s bald, completely bald, and whenever he leaned forward to talk, I could smell his old man breath. Late sixties, I guessed. Couldn’t he just retire? Why was he still there? Well, I would get an answer to all my questions soon enough.

“So, that is why you’re receiving poor grades. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” I didn’t hear a word he said.

“And, well…”

Oh, here goes, I thought.

“I could arrange for you to remain here, but it would require a great use of my authority.”

The Dean stood up from his comfy black leather chair and made his way around the fancy cherry-oak desk. I expected this. I even considered my reaction for a moment. I mean, I’m a twenty-three-year-old woman with hopes of becoming a physician assistant. I already earned my Associate Degree in Nursing at the local community college last year. My goal was to earn my Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant studies and I was on target to achieve this in two to three years. This college specialized in nursing and healthcare courses, which was exactly what I needed.

Afterward, I could work as a physician assistant or continue my education by earning a Master’s Degree in Clinical Medical Science. I was sure the Dean knew my plan, if he had any communication with my adviser. The thought of taking out a student loan had crossed my mind, but I didn’t like the idea of having twenty thousand dollars hanging over my head; and even more as I continue my college career.

Needless to say, this conversation had me deeply disappointed—and disturbed. So, this is what it all came down to? For me to graduate and work toward achieving my goals, I needed to sleep with him? It was a bad dream, wasn’t it? Just a nightmare I’d wake up from soon enough. Except it wasn’t.

“If you’re struggling, sweetheart,” he put a big hairy hand on my shoulder. “I can help you out…under the right conditions.”

I was shocked. What do I do here? Do I…do I fuck him? Do I let him fuck me so I can stay in school? All of these questions went through my mind and suddenly stopped. It felt like the entire world around us had stopped. He unzipped his pants and wriggled out his shriveled penis. I never expected him to be so bold. Looking at him, at it, I wondered if I should make a move. If I fucked him, I could continue working toward my goals as if nothing happened. I actually considered the option for a moment.

Then I said to myself, screw that. I deserve better. I have far more respect for myself than to stoop down to that level. Nope, wasn’t gonna happen.

“Dean Hodge,” I said like a meek schoolgirl, “I’m just not sure I want to do this.”

His face turned a deep red. Believe me, I felt just as embarrassed; I’m sure my face was red, too. He just stood there in front of me, his dick hanging out of his pants. Awkward silence. The most awkward moment of my life; up to that point. I could’ve said something, maybe an off-hand comment, maybe point out the fact that somebody forgot to take his little blue pill that morning. I didn’t say a word and neither did he.

I stood up from my seat, about as awkwardly as ever, and avoided any kind of eye contact; especially careful to avoid physical contact. Knowing that I had just refused him, I needed to leave. I didn’t want to get on his bad side though. I needed to find a way to end this uncomfortable situation amicably.

“Dean Hodge, I do appreciate the offer; you have always been so sweet to me. But, I just have so much on my mind and I need to think it over. I’m sorry,” playful ditz, I’m blond, strawberry blond actually, so I can get away with it. Playing the ‘playful ditz’ card saved my ass so many times before—but don’t get it twisted, I’m nobody’s fool.

“Oh, Julie—”

“It’s Julia,” I hate being called Julie. I was thinking, ‘stop calling me Julie or I’ll kick it’.

“Right, Julia. Julia, I apologize if I came on too strong,” he said as he put his penis away and zipped up.

“Oh, not at all. I was just thinking about everything you said, and you made some excellent points.”

What point did he make? What did he even say? I didn’t know or care. The only thing I knew for sure, was if I didn’t get that money I would either have to sleep with him or drop out. I needed that money because I didn’t plan to do either. And I had come this far without taking out a student loan, I didn’t want to start now.

“Julia, how about you and I make a deal. Either you come in with twenty thousand dollars for next year’s term by the end of the month or we can re-visit our arrangement here,” he stopped himself for a moment. “That is, if you want to.”

“That’s fine with me,” I said with a big goofy smile. Playful ditz.

It worked and I casually strolled out of his office as if I wasn’t totally grossed out. I didn’t need to look behind me to know he watched my ass the entire time I walked away. My friend Brie always pointed out that I have such a juicy ass. Perfectly round, like two scoops of vanilla ice cream. I get that from my mother. Come to think of it, my sister Alli has the same juicy booty—I guess it runs in the family.

Anyhow, I left the administrative building and quickly realized how pissed off I was. Dean Hodge thought I’d suck his dick to stay in school? Fuck that. And fuck him; not literally. I felt determined to get that money somehow. No matter what I had to do, I would get twenty thousand dollars to pay off my tuition for next year.

No, I didn’t report him—the lewd horny bastard—because I wanted to make sure he was there when I came back with the money. When I did, I planned to throw it in his face. That thought made me smile just a little as I drove away. Looking back, I never knew just how far I would have to go for that money. At the time I was worried that I may never get the amount I needed to pay my tuition. I feared being dropped from school. I feared what I would do to stay.

Who Am I?

I am an autumn leaf, tossed off course by the harsh winds of life and direction-less