Lover's Muse (The Art Models Club) Read Online Free Page B

it taken out.”
    “I have to have the money,” Amber insisted. “Can I see somebody now?”
    A few minutes later, a harried woman checked over her account. “Your classes and fees are all paid for the semester. Let me see how much you have left that can be withdrawn.”
    When told the amount, Amber's face fell. “That's it?” she moaned. That only covers my rent. Can I get more?”
    “You've taken out the maximum government loan already. You can take out a private loan but you would need your parents to co-sign. I don't see any information in your file for them. Are they deceased?”
    Amber was tempted to say yes, but she knew that they would only ask for proof. “No, just estranged,” she admitted in a small voice. “I no longer have contact with them.”
    “Well, my dear, I'm sure that things can be smoothed over!” the woman exclaimed. “Why don't you talk to them? I'm sure you can work things out.”
    “Thank you for your help,” Amber said curtly, standing.
    This always happened. Nobody wanted to believe that your parents could be anything but helpful and loving. Hannah's parents had been nice enough to co-sign on her other loans but she knew that they were uncomfortable with taking on more risk. At least last year she had a small part-time job. Of course she had also had a rundown car that got her places. When that died, she was left with nothing for transportation. If it wasn't for Hannah bringing her here, she wasn't sure what she would have done.
    She left the building despondent. She could always drop a couple of classes and save a bit of food money there, but that was just prolonging the problem. She simply had to get some income. She would move to a smaller apartment but she was certain none existed. And the dorm fees were even more expensive because you had to buy the meal plan that came with it. As she dragged herself back to the apartment she wondered if anyone would hire her full time without a college degree.
    Opening the door, she saw the empty plate and carried it to the sink, sniffling. She washed up the few dishes, then stretched out on the mattress. It sank disturbingly low. Just great. The mattress must have a leak. When the tears came she let them flow, no longer caring. She thought of her mom, sitting in the trailer park getting drunk in the middle of the day. Was she going to wind up with a life like that? Maybe it was true that you couldn't escape your past. Huddling into a ball, she cried herself to sleep.
    A few times she heard her cell phone ring but just burrowed deeper into her covers. The leaky mattress had lost most of its air and barely supported her body. Only when she had to go to the bathroom and couldn't hold it any longer did she finally drag herself from the floor. As she flushed the toilet, she realized she was sticky with sweat. Her hair was matted and her face was still pink from crying. Ugh! She looked as disgusting as she felt. Turning on the water, she stripped and stepped into the shower. Her stomach was rumbling and she remembered she hadn't eaten since breakfast. She had no idea what time it was. She didn't really care.
    As she lathered her hair, she started feeling a bit lightheaded. Crap! She needed to at least rinse all this soap out of her hair. Kneeling carefully, she squatted on her knees and let the shower do the work of rinsing. The first edges of black began to surround her and she reached up frantically to turn off the water. Leaning back, she allowed her body to slide down the tub. She lay in the tub, trembling, fighting unconsciousness. She was so stupid. She should have at least had some bread and jam. Now here she was stuck in the bottom of the shower, freezing her ass off. After several minutes she tried to raise her head but was too dizzy. Then she thought to raise her legs and prop her feet against the faucet. Maybe the extra blood flow would help.
    With a growing sense of panic, she realized that no one would know that she was here. Other than