Novels by Mimi

Anna’s Pov I spent three days filling out applications and writing essays about why I wanted to go back to school and gathering my old transcripts that showed I failed everything but at least proved I existed and by Friday I got an acceptance letter in my email that made me cry on my bathroom floor.Monday morning I walked into the club and found Jo in his office drinking whiskey even though it was ten in the morning."I'm quitting," I said while standing in the doorway.Jo looked up and laughed. "You serious?""Yes," I said. "I'm going to school and I'm not doing this anymore.""You're making good money here," Jo said while leaning back in his chair. "Why throw that away for some college degree that won't get you shit?""Because I'd rather be poor with a degree than rich doing this," I said and turned around and walked out before he could say anything else.Crystal texted me that afternoon asking why I quit and I told her about school and she said good for you girl get out while you

Anna’s Pov He reached out to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my neck. I felt my breath catch in my throat."I'm going to kiss you now," Kelvin said. "If you don't want that tell me. I'll stop."I didn't tell him to stop. I leaned forward to meet him halfway.The kiss started slow, careful like we were both testing something. Then Kelvin's hand moved to the back of my neck to pull me closer. The kiss got deeper. I felt heat spreading through my body like fire.When we broke apart I was breathing hard."Okay?" Kelvin asked."Yeah," I whispered. "Okay.""Good," he said before kissing me again.This time when we pulled apart Kelvin stood up to hold out his hand. "Come here."I took his hand to let him pull me to my feet. He walked me over to the bed then sat down on the edge pulling me to stand between his legs."I need you to tell me something," Kelvin said. His hands were on my hips. "Are you doing this because you want to or because you think you have to

Anna’s PovIt has been two weeks since I escaped but I still felt like I was playing pretend in someone else's life. The money was real though. I had already saved enough to rent a studio apartment that smelled like mold, had cockroaches crawling on the walls but it was mine. Nobody could lock me in or take it away from me."You're getting better," Crystal said, fixing her lipstick in the mirror next to me. She was one of the dancers. "I barely recognize that scared little girl who walked in here crying.""I'm still scared," I said, adjusting the red dress that I wore every single night. Buying another one meant spending money I didn't have."Fake it till you make it," Crystal said before winking at me then walking out onto the floor.I took a deep breath to follow her. The club was packed because Friday nights always were. I walked through the crowd, felt hands reaching out to touch me but I had learned how to move just out of reach. How to smile without meaning it. How to take money

Anna’s PovThe house was dark when I slipped out of my bedroom window at four thirty in the morning. My hands were shaking so bad I almost fell off the roof twice.The grass was wet, cold, soaking through my sneakers but I didn't care. I was finally doing it. Nothing was going to stop me this time even if my parents caught me. I would keep running until my legs gave out.I had spent two weeks planning every single detail. Camilla had given me the address, told me to meet her at six, said the owner's name was Jo. He was expecting me. He would give me a job.I didn't let myself think about what kind of job it was. Thinking meant doubting meant staying meant dying.The streets were empty except for a few cars. I kept my head down, walked fast. Every sound made me jump, every pair of headlights made my heart stop.The club was in a part of town I had never been to. The buildings were old, some had broken windows, there were bars on the doors, graffiti on the walls. People sitting on stoop

Anna’s Pov"She's always been a burden."My mother's voice cut through the walls. I pressed my back against the bedroom floor because maybe if I stayed still enough I would disappear completely."We should have been stricter with her from the beginning," my father said in that calm voice that made my stomach turn. When he was calm it meant he had already decided something.I pulled my knees to my chest, staring at the peeling paint on my ceiling. Looking at anything else would make me cry over people who never wanted me in the first place."Three years of school with nothing to show for it," my mother continued. Her footsteps paced outside my door. "Failed every class then dropped out like some delinquent. Now she just sits in that room dancing around, writing in those stupid notebooks like that's going to pay bills."The notebook under my pillow felt heavy but I couldn't pull it out. My hands were shaking too much. Besides, what was the point when nobody would ever read the words any