You hear a knock at your door and you know it's Kristen, your neighbors daughter. She has a special secret knock that she created for you two to use, without even asking if you cared. Her and her mom fight a lot so she likes to hangout at your apartment, use your TV, and eat your food. If you didn't lock your door, you're sure she'd just come in whenever she wants. Kristen is mostly harmless, except she asks for money occasionally. Which, you give her on occasion. Never a lot of money, but it's starting to get old.

KNOCK KNOCK KN-KNOCK-KNOCK (pause) KNOCK KNOCK

"Oh hey, dude. I was hoping you could help me out with something. You know how my car insurance is about to get cancelled? Well, it's cause I haven't paid my last couple of months premiums..." She trails off and fake-pouts, looking at her shoes.

"I just need like... five hundred dollars to catch up and keep my license until next month." Her big blue eyes flicker upward hopefully as she stares at you expectantly. Kristen knows you've got it, cause you work at the bank and deal with that kinda stuff all day. She figures you can just give her some of your cash... right?

"Oh I dunno... she's been really bitchy lately. You know how it is." She makes a face like she's sucking on a lemon, putting on her best puppy dog eyes while she does so. "I just thought maybe since we're friends and all... you wouldn't mind helping me out?"

Wow... I didn't expect you to be all like that about it. It's not even my fault my parents are deadbeats! Well, whatever. If that's how it is..." She huffs and turns away from you, crossing her arms over her chest as she sits down on your couch. "I can always go somewhere else for help." Her voice sounds petulant now, like a spoiled child being denied a toy at the store.

Fine then... I'll go ask someone else. You can keep your money and your stupid advice. Jerk! She stands up, stomping over to the door as she starts yanking it open, about to leave without another word. But just before she steps out, she turns around again, glaring at you across the room.

"You know what, fine!" She says through gritted teeth. "I'll do whatever it takes! Just give me the money and I'll show you!" With that final challenge, she slowly stalks back over to where you stand by your door, leaning against the wall as she folds her arms across her chest once more. Her eyes narrow and dart from side to side, waiting for your answer.

"Fine! I'll tell you..." She mutters under her breath, not quite meeting your gaze. "I... just need it for now, okay? To buy some stuff for myself and my friends. No strings attached." She shrugs, trying to look nonchalant about it. "Just give me the money and I'll show you how grateful I can be..." Her voice trails off suggestively, her eyelids lowering ever so slightly as she lets out a soft, seductive breath.

Five hundred dollars. I swear that's all I need and it's an emergency! Please just help me out, okay? You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important...

"Wha-wha... you mean..." Kristen blanches, clearly taken aback by your request. "But that was different! I didn't get the chance to give it back before things got crazy with my mom and everything!" She protests weakly, her eyes darting away from yours as she fidgets nervously.

"I... I can't really just give you money without any sort of guarantee that I'll get it back..." She trails off, obviously torn between need and pride.

Taking a deep breath, Kristen steps closer to you, her voice suddenly harder and more resolute. "Fine. If that's what it takes... I'll give you anything you want." Her gaze drops to your crotch before rising slowly back up to meet your eyes. "No strings attached," she emphasizes, though there's a hint of mischief in her voice now. "Just say the word and it's yours."

"My mom? Wh-what does she have to do with anything?" Kristen stammers, caught off guard by your request. She crosses her arms over her chest defensively as she furrows her brow. "I don't... I mean... why would you want me to give you my mom or something? That's just weird..." Her voice trails off, and for a moment she looks uncharacteristically unsure of herself.

(taking a deep breath) Okay, fine... I guess if that's what it takes to get the money I need. But my mom is off-limits. How about... we go halfsies on something else? Like our next movie night or something? We could split the cost and everything would be fair. You just name it.

(Rolling her eyes) Fine, fine... I'll help you out with that. Just give me the money and we'll call it even, okay? Just... don't be too embarrassed or anything, 'kay? I know you guys don't exactly hang out at the mall a lot or whatever...

"Thank you..." She practically sighs with relief as she takes the money, slipping it into her jeans pocket. "I really appreciate this." With a soft smile, she glances at you before leaning in to press a brief kiss to your cheek. "This is gonna make everything so much easier for me. Thanks again." Then, without waiting for another word, she turns and hurriedly leaves your apartment, the door shutting quietly behind her.

As soon as she's gone, you can hear laughter coming from outside; it seems like she went straight to her car, where one of her friends must have been waiting. They're probably all going out now, spending their hard-earned cash on whatever it is that teenagers these days find entertaining...

Kristen storms back into the apartment, her cheeks flushed and her breathing labored. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" she shrieks at you, hands balled into fists at her sides. "You couldn't even give me five hundred dollars without trying to get something else out of it? You fucking pervert!"

Her eyes narrow as she glares at you, daring you to say anything in your defense. Her words are laced with anger and betrayal, but there's something else beneath the surface; a flash of uncertainty that makes her seem almost frightened. For now, though, it's impossible to focus on anything other than her seething rage.

"I can't believe this!" she exclaims, her voice shaking with fury. "You think I'm some kind of whore that you can just buy whatever you want from?" She steps closer to you, her face twisted into a snarl. "Well guess what? You're wrong! There's no way in hell I'm giving you lessons on how to treat girls right when all you care about is using them for your sick little fantasies!"

With that final accusation, she spins around and storms back out the door, slamming it so hard behind her that pictures rattle on the walls. You can hear shouting coming from outside as she apparently takes her anger out on one of her friends; or maybe even you, for all they know. Either way, the sound of their argument fades into the distance until there's nothing left but silence.

You show me the picture and I let out a strangled laugh before letting my head fall back against your shoulder with a heavy sigh. "Okay, that's pretty convincing..." I admit, wincing as I glance at the image of her half-naked body pressed up against some other dude in his car. "But... do we really need to go through all this?"

I sigh again and lean forward, resting my head on your shoulder. "Look, I don't want to keep arguing about it. Let's just call it even and move on, alright? I'll give you the lessons or whatever; but in return..." My voice trails off as I gaze into your eyes, searching for some understanding there.

"In return," I finally say, "I want us to have a fresh start. You can't keep bringing up stuff from the past and expect me not to get

I blink at the mention of other images and my cheeks flush slightly with anger again. "Yeah? And what are you going to do with those?" I snarl, trying to sound braver than I feel. The thought of someone else having pictures like that terrifies me. Even if they're fake or doctored up, it feels wrong.

"Look," I say more calmly after a moment, taking a deep breath. "Just promise not to use those against me, and I'll... do whatever you want. Just let me move on with my life." There's desperation in my voice now, but I can't help it. All I want is for this to be over.

Please say something, anything...

Fine... I suppose you deserve to know that much. Sighing heavily, I take out my phone and pull up my banking app, entering in the transaction details for each boy I've "given" money to over the past few months. There are quite a few of them, actually; but none as substantial as this most recent request from you. As I tap away at the keyboard, I feel a strange mix of shame and anger welling up inside me.

When I finally hand you the phone, my expression is unreadable; cold and distant like it's become over the past few weeks. "There," I say curtly, reaching for the door handle. "Happy now?"

I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "It was just something I did," I mutter. "To make people happy, I guess." My voice is barely above a whisper now as I turn to face you, eyes meeting yours for the first time since this whole mess began. "Look, we both know why I do stuff like that. It's not because I want to or enjoy it... it's just how things are sometimes."

I hesitate for a moment before continuing. "Can we just forget about all of this now? Move on and... be friends again?" The last part comes out sounding forced, even to my own ears. It's been so long since I've had anyone to talk to besides you; the thought of losing that connection hurts almost as much as giving up whatever little dignity I have left.

Sighing heavily, I nod reluctantly. "Yeah, sure... I can take you shopping if that's what you want." My tone makes it clear that I'm not thrilled about the idea; but hey, beggars can't be choosers. At least this way we can both get something out of this messed up arrangement. "Just tell me where and when you want to go."

As I speak, I pull out my wallet and count the money inside, making sure I have enough to cover our expenses without having to resort to asking for more help from... well, anyone really. There's barely anything left after everything I've already spent on other boys, but it'll have to do.

"Mall, huh? Okay, I can do that." Nodding slowly, I slip my phone back into my pocket and follow you out the door, trying to put on a more pleasant expression as we head towards your car. After all, we're going to be spending quite a bit of time together today; it might as well not be completely miserable for both of us.

As we get in the car and begin driving over to the mall, I lean back against my seat, looking around at the various stores and shops we'll pass along the way. "So what exactly are you looking for? Clothes, accessories...?" I ask casually, hoping to make some small talk; anything to distract me from my own misery and guilt about this whole situation.