Chapter 3

At eighteen, my life was very difficult.

Because I was so young.

As a young girl, I had no other means of making a living; my body was my only asset.

That transaction with Elmer bought me a week's food.

But it also cost me my reputation.

My half-naked body was permanently captured on boys' phones.

Every day, notes appeared on my desk, maliciously asking for my price.

[Is 7 dollars enough? How about 10 dollars?]

[Can I just look without touching?]

The girls, on the other hand, kept their distance from me. As they passed, they would intentionally cover their noses, exchange glances, and share a knowing smirk.

My life plummeted from hell to its deepest level.

No one hit or scolded me.

Yet, I was silently tormented countless times.

I wouldn't make the same mistake again.

At twenty-eight, I could play games with ease.

Elmer deserved it.

Humming a tune, I happily returned home.

300 dollars could get me through the next six months.

Then, the college entrance exam, and I'd leave for a distant place.

*****

Elmer arrived very late the next day. He looked utterly dejected.

I heard his parents were contacted.

The woman at the barbershop told me that Elmer refused to pay. They caused a big scene, and the hotel staff, fearing trouble, found his student ID and called the school.

The school then called his dad.

His dad paid for him.

What a foolish young man, so hung up on every little hurt.

He should have just paid.

I pouted.

Elmer saw me and glared as if he wanted to eat me alive.

I turned away and scoffed.

Elmer's eyes glinted menacingly.

A curious boy went over and asked him, "Hey, Elmer, how did yesterday go?

"Did you succeed?"

Elmer finally found an outlet for his frustration. "Succeed? Don't be ridiculous!"

The boy was surprised. "Elmer, what's wrong with you?"

"Get out!" He angrily kicked over the table.

This startled a chorus of exclamations.

I didn't look back, twirling my pen and casually circling key review points in my newly purchased reference book.

This was just an insignificant lesson.

I didn't want to be called '7 dollars' anymore.

After ten years, this nickname couldn't hurt me anymore.

At twenty-eight, I was like a fortress; nothing from my teenage years could hurt me anymore.

I had smoothed out the past.

But not at this moment.

Eighteen-year-old Hannah cared.

After school, Elmer blocked me again.

This time, I didn't hold back. I looked up and said, "If you don't move, I'm calling for help."

"Go ahead and scream!" Elmer snarled with a nasty grin. "Hannah, you set me up. You're dead. I'm not done with you."

I tilted my head and asked with a smile, "So what do you want to do? Go to a hotel again?"

His expression became a sight to behold instantly.

He opened his mouth and then closed it, cursing me, "Bitch."

I took out the camera.

Elmer angrily demanded, "Give me back the camera!"

I asked, "Who's bitch?"

Elmer was speechless with anger, his chest heaving, his face flushed red.

I found it a bit ridiculous.

After all, Elmer wasn't thick-skinned enough. Otherwise, he should have seen this photo as his badge of honor.

Bullying the weak was pointless.

I threw the camera over. "Here, take it back."

Elmer took it and looked down, probably deleting photos.

Finally, he looked up and asked, "Did you back it up?"

"What do you think?"

That was my leverage; of course, I would back it up.

Elmer gritted his teeth. "What do you want?"

I beckoned him with my finger.

Beneath the skin of an eighteen-year-old was my twenty-eight-year-old soul, indifferent and harsh.

I bared my fangs and spat out a word at him. "Get lost."

I had no desire to be involved with him at all.

I had too many problems.

My stepmother and stepsister were obstacles in my way.

I needed to save my energy to deal with them.

They knocked me down once.

I wouldn't allow a second time.

And Elmer was just a supporting character.