Anya

"So take in the hem in the sleeve and take off 3/4 of an inch. Anastasia
Anastasia!!
Anya!!" I hear Lucille's sharp voice from the front of the store.

"Huh!" I whipped my head back, pausing from the last page of my thick philosophy book.

"Anya did you even hear a word I said?" Lucille frowned, waiting for me to take her notes.

"Sorry Luce! I was studying for my philosophy midterm" I shot from my seat, running to help her as she pinned the man's pants into place.

"I said 3/4th of an inch and take in the hem in the sleeve" she repeated again, marking the alterations with chalk fabric.

"Got it!" I nodded, running to write her notes. The man who she was attending to smiled, staring at me before muttering something to Lucille. He looked a bit older than my dad. Well....what I imagined my dad would have looked like if I had known him.

I was a foster child. I had no family...no siblings. Nothing. I had no one until Lucille took me in. I started working for her for extra change but asked her for a place to call home since my college needed an address. I used to get my mail at the local i-hop. I mean... I didn't have an address or a place to call home so...
I was nothing but appreciative to her.

The man stepped off the stone platform and paid his tan, left his name and number before exiting. "He was nice" Lucille sings, typing in a few numbers into the computer.

"He barely said a thing Luce" I scoffed, quickly folding the clothes into the hanger.

"He did to me. He really liked you"

"Eww? He did?"

"He asked if you were single." Lucille takes off her thick cat eye glasses and stares at me.

"That man is old enough to be my father if I had one"I teased

"That's what I told him." She giggled before hanging the suit in the back burner. "Well he left his business card just in case you were interested. I knew you wouldn't be."

I plopped in the hard desk chair before looking into the mirror. Having old creepy men leave their business cards was a common occurrence at Lucille's shop. I knew there was some beauty to my features but I didn't quite understand it. I look at my reflection in the mirror and frowned.

Long ov face. Soft brown eyes. Thick lips and curly thick hair that had a mind of its own. I guess I could see the appeal. I never had time to focus on that aspect of my life.
Time...

"Shoot! What time is it?" I curse, grabbing my backpack and shoving my notes and book into it.

"2:30pm. Don't you have a meeting at 3pm?"

I grabbed an apple from the desk to snack on before running out the door. "I'll see you later Lucille!"

"Wait! Don't forget about the dinner party tonight!! We have to do last minute alterations!"

"Right!! See you!" I scream, running out the door.

——

"I make a B-line to the advising offices on the college campus, praying they hadn't called my name yet. This was the last advising appointment of the day and I couldn't register for classes next semester if I didn't see one before the 4th"

A few students stared me down as I slammed open the doors of the glass building. I was nearly out of breath before I took my seat.

"Anastasia Grarle?" A lady with a clipboard called. I snapped up running over. "That's me" I stuffed my books into my backpack before standing behind her. She looked into my eyes before sizing me up.

"Follow me?" She hummed. Her heels clacked with purpose as she escorted me down the brightly painted hallways.

"Mr. Lewis will be in here soon." She closed the door behind her.

——

"So 21 credits this semester. Good! That classifies you as a full time student. Grades look amazing. 4.3 GPA."

I smiled hearing my accolades. I worked hard for it!

"So I am taking off your hold and you are will now be able to register for classes."

"Wow thank you Mr. Lewis"

"Oh wait..." he frowns before typing another lengthy note. "Looks like you have a flag on your account?"

"I do" swear drips from my temples as I try to pretend to act surprised. He clicked something again and it beeped.

"Oh dear"he frowns. His thick glasses reflected the screen. All I saw was red!

"I'm sorry Anastasia. It's saying that your turion hasn't been paid for the last 3 semesters?"

"Oh..right..." I try to smile.

"I'm sorry but we have a three strike policy. Since this is your last semester...but it is your fourth. We cannot approve your request to Register."

"No! No! But mr Lewis! I only have a few more classes! My internship at NYU department of art depends on me completing my semester? Please!"

"I'm sorry Anastasia but there is nothing I can do. You must come up with 9k before tomorrow or you will be dropped from school."

He tried to look apathetic but I could tell it was a strain. Of course. Universities never cared.

I push out the chair and stormed out. My mind raced with ways to come up with 10k! That was a lot of money. Lucille's shop didn't even take in that much in a month.

What was I going to do?