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f i v e : why do we need billionaires?
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2021-05-31 02:54:26“Last night was amazing,” Aaron texts.
Ehh, it sufficed.
I reply with a red heart… I don’t know if I have the right words right now.
I have my first day of orientation for my volunteer work at Marie’s Soups in Manhattan. It’s a nonprofit organization that feeds New York’s homeless population. They have locations all over the state. It looks good on college applications, but in general, I like helping people get the bare minimum that they require. Everyone should be able to live comfortably.
It’s always baffled me how we have enough resources in the world to feed everyone, yet millions of people are left starving. I blame bil
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Not in a Million Years s i x : is there something i don't know?
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Last Updated : 2021-05-31Not in a Million Years s e v e n : under the influence
“Genny,” she hums in a singsong tone. “Hmm?” I ask impatiently. She should remember from all the other times: I hate taking care of drunk people. Of course, I’d do it every time for a friend. I don’t want her to get hurt because then it’ll be on me. When she’s in this state, I’m responsible for her. I only hate it because it hurts to see her like this. She doesn’t look like she’s having fun. Sophie can’t have fun when it comes to alcohol. She binges, and she gets sad. I take each crucial step towards Sophie's white marble-lined pool in silence. She's propped up on the back of some guy, clearly out of her god damn mind. Once I reach the edge of the marble, I slump down and put my feet in. "Sophie." "Hmm?" she hums, looking up at me with glossy eyes. The guy under her rolls his eyes and places her down. "Who wants to play chicken?" he asks, averting his attention to the other bikini-clad girls in the pool. After momentari
Last Updated : 2021-05-31Not in a Million Years e i g h t : just a frat party
Friday My palms are sweaty, and there’s only one reason. He’s the only reason. Less than a foot away, I can smell his cologne. I knew it when I entered the party. This is far too elegant to be just a “party,” which I knew full well. But, to calm my nerves, I referred to it as “just a frat party.” It’s not like I haven’t been to one before. The first I went to was with Sophie, actually. Maybe I should have realized then that she had a problem. We were 16. It looked very different than this, though. It smelled like old socks and body odor. Sweaty guys ran around the house, and a thick mist surrounded us. Everyone here is classy, put together, and intimidating.
Last Updated : 2021-05-31Not in a Million Years n i n e : Pemdas Hall
That asshole left me feeling awkward because of the situation that he created. And who was that guy calling him. He looked pretty rough for a posh gathering on the Upper East Side. His spiked hair was cut short, and it glistened stiffly under the mood lights. The black sleeves of his clean cut button-up were pulled to his forearms, revealing an array of colorful tattoos. This man looks gang-affiliated, not to put it lightly. What the hell is he in a fraternity for? Whatever, he’s not my concern. I prod over to where Nick and Cas were sucking face, and lightly tap her shoulder. “Can we go?” I pout like a 5 year old.
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“Wow,” Aaron looks at me with hungry eyes. Usually I would enjoy his attention, but right now I feel awkward, like I’m under a microscope. He rubs his chin, ruffling the ginger stubble. Dad lightly taps the table. That’s his tell—when he’s slowly growing impatient or aggravated. I can sense the wheels of thought turning in his brain. “Where exactly were you?” “I forgot to tell you. I went to a party with Casandra.” Aaron shifts uncomfortably. “Oh, okay. Just remember to tell us,” he finishes. Phew.
Last Updated : 2021-05-31Not in a Million Years e l e v e n : attainable
My senses stop functioning for a second, and when they return, that god-awful smell lingers in her wake.I’d been resigned in my decision. I wasn’t going to make any more snarky commentary, I wasn’t going to see him outside of this setting, and I most definitely wasn’t going to meet him in his office.And yet I found myself placing one foot after the other on the way into that very place.After lightly shutting the door, I wait for some type of response or indication from him. He probably just wants to increase my morale or something.Instead, he focuses harder on whatever document he’s holding, and we remain in silence.“Umm, you called for me?” I ask shakily.With the same distant and lightly cool expression as ever, he gestures to the seat in front of him.I take a shallow gulp and sit down. What the hell is this about?“You’re in high school.”I know it&rsqu
Last Updated : 2021-06-29Not in a Million Years t w e l v e : morning coffee
Ouch.Here’s a tip: do not sleep with a laptop on your head.All that research took a lot out of me. I still don’t know exactly what I’m going to write about for that definitive and crucial personal essay.Do I write about my accomplishments, my experiences, or my trauma?Does nursing my best friend to health after drinking a dozen too many count?Another tip for my health: don’t skip too many morning coffees at Saxby’s.Sure, my archnemesis works there. Sure, she very well could poison my order. But I am brave, and I am strong.I sneakily enter the doorway of the establishment. Clad in a sports bra and yoga pants, I’m prepared to book it if Sarah’s working today.“Vanilla latte with some honey, please.”The barista nods and starts making my order.I take a seat at a secluded table and pull out a book that I borrowed the other day. I can finally relax and finis
Last Updated : 2021-07-08Not in a Million Years t h i r t e e n : all you can eat
I turn to use the bathroom and get a drink of water. Once I exit the bathroom, Drake’s waiting for me. “Um, hello.” Why am I so freaking awkward? “My office,” he says softly. I nod subserviently. When we’ve arrived, he closes the door. I struggle to let out a deep breath. “You okay?” “Um, yeah.” I cough discreetly. It quickly turns into a coughing fit, and he comes behind me to pat my back. “Ah, I’m fine,” I muster out—still coughing. “Please don’t die in my office.” Shut the fuck up. Finally, I clear my throat. “Okay, okay. I’m fine.” His palm is still on the small of my back, keeping me steady. “Um, why exactly am I here?” He stills then moves behind his desk. “We need to sort out some logistics of the offer I made you the other day.” The internship. “You’ll be a consultant in the law department of Staple Oil.” Oka
Last Updated : 2021-07-13
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How many rational excuses can I use to get out of this meeting?"Dad, I'm so sorry, but I actually planned to hang out with my friend Claire," I lie."Nice try," he says sternly.Drake purses his lips in amusement, probably thinking about how juvenile this all is."You know where to meet me," he says before hanging up quickly after."Shit," I mutter after the dial tone."You okay?" he asks, with no sign of sarcasm or plain disinterest."Yeah, I'll be fine," I clasp my hands, shutting myself off emotionally. Before turning to leave, I stutter, "I-I'll think about the yearlong internship."He
Not in a Million Years t h i r t y : it's time
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Not in a Million Years t w e n t y - n i n e : impulse
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Not in a Million Years t w e n t y - e i g h t : acceptance
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Not in a Million Years t w e n t y - s i x : it was you
“I think you missed the exit,” I whine. We’ve been on the road for at least 40 minutes. “I know the way to my friend—and co-worker’s—house, thank you very much,” Don smizes.I roll my eyes. “Would you rather be wrong or late?”She huffs and takes the nearest exit, while I refresh the navigation. Eventually, we end up in Stevie’s neighborhood in some obscure town in New Jersey.As soon as we park in front of the house, the door swings open, but it’s Stevie instead of his brother. They’re roommates.“H-Hey, Don. Gen,” he smiles gingerly.
Not in a Million Years t w e n t y - f i v e : i'm turning into my dad
Drake’s POVWe’re coasting down 9th avenue in pursuit of a seat at one of my favorite restaurants in the city.“Where are we headed?” she asks, tapping the black leather arm rest. She pushes some fly-away curls from her face, staring out the passenger side window.“Just a place.”“As long as I don’t end up getting kidnapped, I’m fine with anything,” she mumbles.“Steak?”“Sure.”I pull the Audi up to the restaurant’s valet with ease
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Drake’s POV“What is it now?” I snap.“Problem at the oil rig,” the tattooed beast mumbles.“What fucking oil rig? We have hundreds of—”He dangles a bag of white powder before I can finish my sentence.Oh. Oil rig.I sigh, rubbing my temples. “What kind of problem?”“Some managers”—law enforcement— “stumbled on”—busted—“some weird activity”—our illegal drug business— “among the
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I feel like I’m in an action movie. You know, one of those where there’s some social security threat, and the CIA enlists some rogue agents—whom they suddenly trust to competently do their jobs—to “save the world.”I’m rapidly clicking my computer keys, searching for any digital trail from secrets109428@hotmail.com. Subtle.“Find secrets109428@hotmail.com on White Pages Today!” a random link says. No, thanks.
