Sorority Girls With Guns

by Cat Caruthers

  She shakes her head. “No....they've filed for bankruptcy. Apparently their CEO had been turning in false financial statements for some time. They think either he or one of the high-ups was embezzling. Shade, I'm sorry, but....there's not going to be a show. I tried to tell Tiffany, but she's out cold. Too much champagne, I think.”

  “Thanks for telling me,” I say, picking up my cell phone and searching the web for GluedToYou. “I think I'd like a few minutes alone now with my latest failure.”

  Morgan sighs. “Shade, this isn't the end. You got a lot of publicity. You could have another successful video on some other site. And maybe Green Day will pick you for the internship.”

  “Thanks,” I say shortly and give her the thank-you-but-please-get-lost look.

  She nods. “I'm sorry, Shade. But you'll get famous some other way.” She turns and goes back into her room, closing the door behind her.

  “She's right, you know,” Richard says.

  “No, I don't know that,” I say. “I know you will never truly understand this, but when you have failed as much as I have, you never know that. I don't care how much crap I read about believing in yourself. Sometimes, you need other people to believe in you too.”

  “I believe in you,” Richard says, standing up. “And I get why you can't be with me yet. I understand that the money thing is just too hard for you. Believe me, I get that now. But because I believe in you, I know you will get rich one day. And I'll be waiting. I hope you'll still be available then, too.”

  “I can't ask you to wait for me,” I say as he walks toward the door. “It could be a long time. In all honesty, it could be never.”

  “I'll wait,” he says, and walks out the door.