What Money Can't Buy

By Ashley Uzzell

Sasha Hill has the perfect life. Spoiled and pampered, she is used to having her way. The only problem? She is still a virgin at eighteen, so her friends make a bet that she can't get the quiet Daniel Jones to have sex with her before graduation.

Determined to prove them wrong, Sasha schemes to pretend interest in Daniel to get in his bed. Daniel soon shows Sasha the world through his eyes, shining light on some truths about herself that are hard to swallow. Before she knows it, she finds herself falling for the handsome loner.

Is she worthy of his friendship? Could she lose a bet if it also meant losing the only lifestyle she's ever known? Or is it too steep a price to pay for a boy who sees through her shallow exterior?

• Language: English
• Publisher: naturechild02
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781537169965

Ashley Uzzell

I'm an avid reader and mother of four. I enjoy writing poetry, short stories, and novels of varying genres. I love to write, sew, play games, and watch anime. Most days are spent chasing the kids and cats around, snuggling with a book, or yelling at my computer screen.

Book preview

Prologue

Sasha collapsed into tears in the hallway. A few girls nearby escorted her to the guidance counselor’s office, trying their best to comfort her. Their pitying looks and arm rubs had her cheeks flushing. She didn’t like anyone seeing her this way. Becoming so overwhelmed in front of people was something she had vowed never to do. This time, however, she couldn’t help it. It felt like the world was crashing down around her.

Her sobbing had quieted by the time the school guidance counselor, Mr. Bankman, had closed the door to his small, cramped office and offered her a chair.

Please have a seat, Sasha. You’re free to say whatever you feel in here. He smiled grimly at her, his eyes softening with worry. Mr. Bankman was one of those rare adults that actually liked his job and cared about the kids he spoke to. Sasha had never been to see him herself, but she had heard good things.

She wiped her face and blew her nose quietly with tissues he handed her, slightly embarrassed at her outburst. For a moment he only gazed at her as he sat down behind his desk opposite of her, letting her collect herself before he began. Crossing an ankle over his knee, he leaned back and eyed the stack of papers on his desk. A stack that grew hourly, by the looks of it.

This has been a tough time for everyone. You’re the fifth girl this week to come in here crying. What happened was very traumatic and everyone is trying their best to cope with... well... everything that happened. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Don’t be ashamed to cry. There is absolutely no shame in letting your pain out.

Sasha was shaking her head before he even finished. Look, Mr. Bankman, don’t get me wrong. I do feel horrible about Mrs. Rountree and Mr. Caldwell. And Amy, too. Sasha suppressed a shudder. Horrible was hardly the word to describe her feelings. She had been traumatized for three days straight, barely able to eat or sleep. Nightmares still plagued her. It wasn’t something you could easily get over. And yet, that wasn’t the reason she was here today.

But that’s not the main reason that I’m upset. It’s Daniel.

The older man appeared momentarily confused. Daniel? But he’s going to be fine. I know it was touch and go for a while there but he’s already out of the hospital. He’ll be recovered and back on his feet by graduation.

I just feel so awful, Sasha said in a whisper, shaking her head slowly.

Oh no, he did what he did of his own accord, no one forced him. And he’s a hero because of it.

No, you don’t understand! She was getting upset all over again. Tears spilled down her cheeks unwarranted. I was so mean to him. I want to tell him the truth. I want to explain everything, but I just can’t face him. I’m a coward. I just wish there was some way I could tell him everything but...

Mr. Bankman looked more confused than ever but he picked up his phone and called the front desk. Mary, please excuse Ms. Sasha Hill from her next class. She’s in with me; very upset. He didn’t wait for a response before hanging up and turning back to the sniffling, and now even more embarrassed, girl. Perhaps if you just told me, you know, got everything off your chest, you might feel better. As a counselor, I don’t just give advice. I’m also a great listener. Sometimes, more than anything, people just need someone to talk to.

She was silent for a moment, considering, staring at her hands as her fingers twisted the tissues into narrow points. Stray blonde locks fell over her face and she didn't bother to tuck them behind an ear.

Actually, yeah, I think I would. It’s really weighing me down. But this is personal stuff. I mean, you can’t tell my parents. You have, like, a code of silence like a shrink, right?

Well, yes. Something like that.

Then I'll tell you.

Okay. He fumbled in his desk for a minute and pulled out a small tape recorder. Sasha nearly giggled at it. Who used such things anymore in the digital age?

Now, you just take your time and tell your story and I’ll record it for you. So if you still don’t feel up to telling Daniel everything yourself, you can just give him the tape. How’s that sound?

Fine. Yeah, that’s great actually. She took a few deep breaths, calmer now, and motioned for him to start the recorder. I guess it all started with a conversation between my friends and I about life after high school. You know, going to college and all...

Chapter One

I don’t know about you girls, but I can’t wait to get out of my parents’ house, Michelle said with a regal air.

I hear that! Sasha laughed and Tabitha giggled as well.

The three girls were taking their lunch period outside on the school lawn. The day was nice and the sky blue, so why not? They refused to eat within sight of boys, not that the girls ate much to begin with. In public, anyway. Keeping their bodies so thin and gorgeous took a lot of discipline.

Freedom! Sasha sighed and leaned back on her hands in the cool, clean cut grass. She was wearing a light blue scoop neck top with her jeans. This color brought out her eyes wonderfully and she loved the effect. My dad says he’ll be glad to have me out just so I’ll stop borrowing his credit card.

Tabitha smirked at her over her smart phone. They shared another small laugh. True, they would be gone from their parents’ homes, but their parents would still be footing all of their bills. Working through college was not in their plans. Not only did their parents want them to concentrate on their studies, but the trio of friends wouldn’t be caught dead working at a part-time job.

So, Michelle, you gonna dorm it up or go for a sorority? Tabitha asked.

Neither, Michelle said, leaning her head back and running a hand slowly through her brown locks, knowing damn well that a few boys from her history class were watching. It’d be too difficult to sneak a guy in at either place. I’m gonna find an apartment. Then I can come and go as I please and the guys can too!

Tabitha laughed again but Sasha didn’t join her. Once again she was painfully aware that she hadn’t had a serious boyfriend in years. It didn’t help that Michelle and Tabitha were constantly talking about the boys they saw and dumped. And now that Michelle had noticed Sasha’s withdrawn expression, she didn’t miss the opportunity to bring up this fact. She was far too perceptive.

Hold on, Sasha, don’t tell me you’re still a virgin? Her tone wasn’t unkind but her eyes were laughing and a slight smirk graced her lips.

Sasha shrugged nonchalantly. Who wants to give it up to one of these boys? Inclining her head towards the school, she surveyed the goods. Skaters, jocks, average Joe’s, nerds, goths, there were plenty of guys in their school to choose from when looking for a boyfriend. But none had ever really caught her eye that were of the same social status as herself and her friends. The others that did pique her interest, well, she could not be seen with in public without fear of serious ridicule from her peers.

Exactly, that’s the thing! Tabitha wrinkled her freckled nose in disgust as her fingers skipped over the screen of her cell at a million miles per hour. "These are boys. There are men at college."

Right, Michelle piped up, and men want women. Women who know what to do in bed. Women who can please them. You’ve got to get the experience with a boy or two so you can catch a man. An older guy with a hot car and a hot bod.

You sound like a slut when you say it like that, Sasha noted.

Well you better believe every guy around here is having sex and they think they’re hot stuff because of it. I don’t hear anyone calling them sluts.

Stupid double standards, Tabitha interjected, shaking her head.

Well, I won’t live by that crap! Michelle continued. Besides, you’re only a slut if you’re having one-night stands like every night with total strangers. I’ve been with two guys that I’ve known practically my whole life. Flicking her hair with a sense of authority, the brunette gave her friends a dazzling smile.

Considering Michelle treated men like clothes (wear it for a while and throw it away when it’s out of style) Sasha had to wonder if she was being truthful about only being with two guys. In fact, she was positive Michelle was lying.

You’ve been here, like, three years now. There’s got to be someone you can just have a summer fling with before you leave, Tabitha said, leaning back to take a selfie against the green grass. She frowned at her phone, adjusted her shirt, then took another picture.

Sasha shrugged again, growing uncomfortable but desperate to hide the fact. If I do, I’m not gonna be just another notch on some jock’s belt. I want to pick a nice guy who might actually hear the words I say to him instead of just ogling my boobs.

I’ll tell you straight up, Sasha. Michelle smeared some gloss over her voluptuous lips. Losing your virginity is in no way the magical, perfect moment every girl dreams about. It’s weird and it hurts...

And you bleed, Tabitha interrupted, widening her eyes to dramatize her point.

And, Michelle continued, it’s all over in like five to ten minutes before you reach anything near an orgasm. It’s just one of those things that you want to get over with so you can move on to better sex. Trust me on this. She nodded very matter-of-factly and Tabitha mimicked her.

And Sasha believed them. They would know, after all. She’d heard enough true-life stories to know that what was in the romance movies about magical first times was just that: fake. Hollywood fake. As fake as Michelle’s new lips.

Oh, I know! Let’s pick out a guy for you! Tabitha squealed excitedly, finally laying her phone down.

Let’s not. Sasha was more