Naked News Network

$100,000…

As I stare blankly at my laptop screen, the only thing illuminating my apartment room late at night, I wonder how I was even convinced that borrowing that much money in the first place was a good idea.

“I know it was going to be a lot, but 100k?!?” I say to myself in absolute disbelief.

I lean back in my crappy office chair as I try and collect my thoughts. The squeak noises it makes always bothered me, but that’s what I get for going for the cheapest option. I look straight up at the ceiling, wondering if it was worth the price. A sense of dread falls over me like a grand tsunami that I can’t run from.

But in this state of delirium, I tilt my head to the side and look over at my two degrees. Hung on the wall are my Masters in Journalism and a Bachelors in theater performance. As a kid, I always wanted to be like those reporter women on the news. They looked so strong, independent, and very pretty in my opinion. Plus, reporting on stuff sounded so much fun as a kid. Going to the scene of a crime! Interviewing strangers on all kinds of subjects! Meeting so many new people with their own experiences. It’s everything I’ve always wanted to do: Explore the country, meet the people inside it and live on the thrill of discovery.

But another passion of mine was theater! I was an unabashed theater kid in highschool who wanted every lead in a musical. My pipe dream was to become a big time Broadway star, even though I never got any major roles, usually being cast as the occasional side character or ensemble.

And so, when I finally got into the college of my choice, I worked my tooshie off, spending all my time on journalism classes and theater clubs.

And after 7 long and hard years, I finally graduated top of my class and successfully got myself the two degrees that mean the world to me! I couldn’t be more proud of myself…

But then I remembered all of the money I borrowed to make that dream come true. Due to each semester getting more and more expensive I was **** to take on loans that I thought weren’t that bad. But I guess this is what I get for focusing too much on my academics rather than the financial side of my college career.

So now that mistake is staring me dead in the eyes like a grime reaper, but instead of my life, it reaps my wallet. Which is awfully thin at the moment, and with the job I have right now, there is no way I can afford food for myself and pay off my debt!

My heartrate's increasing and my anxiety begins to swell like a cancerous tumor as I'm starting to realize the severity of my situation. The thought of being kicked out of my apartment and having to live on the streets as I scramble for cash to give out to this loan company makes me sick. Currently I'm working a low-paying dead-end job, so all it takes is one serious injury and I'm done for!

Even with all that hanging above my head, I somehow manage to pull myself together by closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. I try to convince my brain to calm down and start rationalizing my situation. “Come on Sophie, don't worry! You got 5 months left until you have to start paying off your loan. That’s plenty of time to find a good reporter job.”

After a couple of minutes of sitting down with my head in my hands, I decide that I should probably get some sleep and start my search for a job in the morning. I sigh and turn off my laptop while getting up from my chair. As I'm strolling towards my bed I pass by the open bathroom door and see my reflection in the mirror. Staring back at me is a young woman with a defeated look in her eyes, wearing nothing but a tank top and cotton underwear. My bra still lying on the bathroom closet since I was too lazy to put it on this morning. Continuing my stroll towards my bed, I try to ignore the thoughts racing through my mind and once I enter my bedroom, I let myself fall onto the cushy mattress. I curl up in my bed as my fluffy pillow and equally fluffy blanket hug me like a gentle mother would hug their child and it doesn’t take all that long for me to drift into slumber, only somewhat worried about what happens afterwards.