Jasmine was home alone in her mansion on this cloudy afternoon day. She still lived at home with her younger adult brother. Her father was a Radiologist and immigrant from Iran and her mom was a dental hygienist. Everyone always asked her when she never moved out. But why would she. She loved her parents and loved her house. Especially now that her elder sisters had moved out and started families of their own. She was always embarrassed about the wealth of her family and had avoided bringing people by most of her life, yet she loved the spaciousness of the place and the large sloping backyard with a long beautiful swimming pool. It was her own private sanctuary.

Today Jasmine was organizing her clothes while she blasted music from her TV. She had piles and piles of clothes in her room and her sister’s old room which had been converted into her extra closet. Most of these clothes had been worn just once or not at all. Jasmine never liked to wear the same outfit more than once. She knew she had a problem. She had even had her credit cards blocked so she couldn’t buy anymore clothes, but then she would just use her dad’s card or her brother’s. She had no self control anymore. She checked her phone. She was waiting on a text from Roberto. She met him last summer online and had been chatting with him ever since. She had only been to visit him once. He had flown her into Italy and he brought her all over the country side. She had enjoyed her time with Roberto. He was so charismatic and chivalrous and always treated her with extravagant meals and hotel rooms. But, she never felt truly comfortable around him. He was older than her with children from a previous marriage. She was grateful for all the things and gifts he treated her too, but felt he never quite knew her and only desired her for her beauty and sex. If she had a less attractive body she was sure Roberto would have no interest in her at all. She had been waiting on a special gift he kept talking about, but it had yet to arrive in her PO box.

Her phone started vibrating. Incoming facetime call from Johnny Timberland. She sighed, let it ring a couple times, then picked up. She left the phone on her bed facing the ceiling as Johnny’s face lit up the screen.

“Yo Jazzy, what up Girl?”

“Hey Johnny, I’m busy working right now. We already talked about this. I’m gonna stop by later tonight.” She said sharply.

“What do you mean working..” Johnny chuckled slyly. “Hey how come I can’t see your pretty face. This ceiling fan ain’t so fun to look at.”

“I’m not wearing any makeup Johnny. You’ll see my pretty face later.”

“Psh why females always got fix up their face before seeing anyone. You know dudes don’t care about that shit.” “Yo Jazzy you found some weeed right?”

“I’m working on it, Johnny. My friend is going to hook me up. And I do work by the way. I’m running my own used clothing business.” She said irritated. “I have to go bye.”

“ Wait Wait Jazz remember I want ½ ounce. And when you come by to chill later I’ll smoke you down girl.”

“I don’t smoke, Johnny. Why can’t one of your friends hook you up anyways. And don’t they test you for that shit.”

“I’m trying to lie low while I’m back home. You’re the only friend I want to see, Jazz.”

“Ok seeya bye.” Jasmine disconnected the call. 

Jasmine had babysat Johnny from when he was 8-14. His mom was the cleaner for her house and she'd always have to bring him along. He had always had a little crush on her, but had made more blatant moves to flirt with her as he grew older and became famous. She wasn’t into him sexually, but some of her favorite memories when she was younger were spent playing games and hide and seek with Johnny in her parent’s large house. She did look forward to seeing Johnny’s face later though, even if it was just for a little bit. She went into the bathroom and began examining her face. She moved her face extremely close to mirror focusing on all of imperfections and acne scars. She never let anyone see her without makeup and lipstick spread all over her face. She likened it to painting and most mornings she would paint her face on hiding her true self from the world. She looked down at her phone and smiled. She had also been texting her new friend. He said that he knew someone that sold weed. She told him she was coming by later to pick him up. She reminded him to bring his dog.