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Alana

I beltarea

Breathing exercises aren’t stopping the tiny acrobats fro in my belly My nerves have been in a state of chaos since I interviewed for this job

A very unique job indeed

A week ago, I didn’t even know establishments like this existed so close to hoas or Amsterdam came to mind Not my suburban mountain town of Julian Privacy doesn’t exist in a place where neighbors know your business, your mama’s name and your coffee order

I wouldn’t be here unless I was desperate—and I aed intoshe had a way for e tuition payment, I was all ears

My virginity goes bye bye tonight

To ato pay a whole heap of cash for it, too He’s probably a slobbering old man with bad breath and balls down to his knees But all the hours I’raphy 101 next week

Won’t it?

All I’ve ever wanted is to take pictures Ever since htanything that interests ets stuck on top of its head Or the way kids stare at strangers in restaurants and look like they’re really pissed, but actually they just rarely see anyone but their parents, so they’re fascinated Mos are my jam Can I make an entire career out of silly pictures? Probably not But how else ao to college?

One night Probably more like five minutes And then I’otten a job and saved up enough for the next one I’ve got this

I take a deep breath and blow it up at the ceiling, just as the door opens and—as she is wont to do—h the entrance like a redheaded hurricane She’s dressed in a navy blue robe, identical to nature cat eye Ripley is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in real life and she has been getting rade I’d take a bullet for her and she’d do the same for me

“Holy shit” Ripley bounces in front ofthis”

I motion for her to breathe, like me “Are we? I mean…” I pivot in a nervous circle “Who profits off their virginity? That’s crazy, right?”