"Also, you don't have to auction your virginity, you could just offer a date?" he asks slyly.
I’m not paying any attention to him, though. He seems to sense that and abruptly stops talking. I am too busy thinking about all the publicity and money I could get for my business by doing both hosting and catering.
I am starting to think that maybe I should take him up on this offer. If I did, then I could finally afford to move into that bigger store that I have had my eye on.
I'm about to turn and ask him more about this offer, but suddenly I spot Candy, my rival from high school. She is here, with her best friend Amelia. I can't believe that they are both here, but then again, this event involves money, so it makes sense.
I see that Amelia is about to go on stage and auction herself off for just a date. I roll my eyes and grind my teeth in irritation.
I’m so annoyed by this that I can't even concentrate on my business plans anymore.
"I'll talk to you later," I say to Brian, as I walk off to go find Sheila.
“Definitely think about what I’ve been saying,” he tells me, ever the salesman. “But either way, it would be great to talk to you about anything later.”
He’s definitely a smooth operator. I can’t help but be attracted to him, even though he’s a slick guy who obviously has an agenda. Still, I know the attraction is genuine and mutual, and I can’t help thinking it would be a two-for-one-deal to talk to him more and make some money.
I wanted this opportunity, and here it is. And yet, now that it’s in my lap, I’m not sure what to do with it. But at the moment, I’m too blinded by annoyance at my high school rival to think clearly.
Sheila is standing with Andrew, so I join them. I want to vent my frustration, but Sheila doesn't even notice that I’m here. She is too busy chatting with and smiling at Andrew. He asks her a question, and she starts blushing and looking around.
When she finally does notice me, she says, "I am so nervous about tonight."
As she looks around anxiously, I can tell that she doesn't have time to focus on my problems, which is completely understandable.
"It seems like it's going well," I encourage her, instead of launching into a list of my own gripes, at the top of which would stand Candy.
She smiles happily at me and then turns her attention back to Andrew.
I sigh and then go to use the bathroom. I don't really have to go. I just needed a few minutes to myself, plus I didn't want to see Candy and Amelia anymore.
It's empty and quiet in here, so I stand there and look at the mirror. I try so hard not to, but all I can think about is how Candy stole my boyfriend, Jim, in high school. It was at the worst possible time, too. We were supposed to go to Prom together, but he dumped me and went with Candy instead.
I was so humiliated and depressed. It was absolute torture to watch them continue to date throughout the rest of high school and afterwards. People pitied me and talked about me like some kind of tragedy. It was humiliating. I actually dreaded going to school for a long time because of that incident.
I'm not sure if they are still together or what, but it doesn't matter. I'm still bitter about the whole incident. It's not the kind of thing that you can forgive or forget.
I hate Candy for doing that to me and I can't stand her because of that, and also for other reasons, all of which happened even after high school. One being the fact that Candy had to go into the exact same business that I’m in and become my competition. Plus, she’s arguably more successful than I am, because everyone loves her damn chocolate chip cookies.
I wish I could let it go, but I can't. It sucks to have your rival beat you at everything, especially the one job that you love doing so much. I have it rubbed in my face every day. It's like high school all over again.
I take a few deep breaths to try and calm myself. I wish I could talk to Sheila about this, but I can't. I know she would understand, but she is too busy and preoccupied tonight.
With a sigh, I go back out to join the crowded auction. As I walk out, I blink a few times. A lot has happened in the few minutes when I was in the bathroom. Not only is it more crowded, but a couple is having sex on stage.
This has everyone's attention, including mine. I try to look for Sheila, but it's too crowded for me to see. Eventually I find her and wave to her. She smiles, but is busy talking to the woman in charge, Julia.
It looks like Sheila is going up on stage next. That's interesting. I'm proud of her for being so brave, and I'm sure she will have fun tonight with Andrew. I already know that is who will be bidding on her. I sigh, then look back at the couple on stage.
I have to admit that this is interesting. I'm tired of being angry. I just want to enjoy myself.
I wonder what happened to Brian?
I shrug, then think about the way he was talking to me and flirting with me. I wonder what it would be like to have someone as handsome as him doing these things to me.
I shake my head. I want to know what it would be like to actually
