Last Thursday, a screenshot of a $2,500 transfer appeared in one of his posts. The memo was spelled out in full: "For my baby boy's gaming fund. Enjoy every penny."
Twenty-five hundred dollars.
For video games.
I set my phone down and looked at the text notification showing my meal card balance.
$2.13.
That was all the money I had for the week.
Right then, my phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number. The header read: Weston University Admissions Office.
My heart stopped. I opened it.
"Ms. Pruitt, your tuition and fees remain unpaid. The payment portal for this enrollment cycle will close tomorrow at 10:00 PM. If payment is not completed by the deadline, your admission will be revoked. Please remit the full amount of $1,300 before the cutoff. No extensions will be granted."
I stared at those words. A low ringing filled my skull.
Thirteen hundred dollars.
I turned the phone over in my hands three times, making sure it wasn't a scam. Checked the sender against the number listed on the admissions office website. Confirmed the deadline was tomorrow night at ten.
Then I set the phone down on the desk, slowly.
My hands started to shake.