Dear Hipster Girl,
I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going through tough times. I took your bracelet thingy. Hey, and don’t worry. I’ll pay you back with something much cooler and newer.
As Jioni read the letter, but not out loud, she got the same chills down her spine, as if she jumped into a pool of icy cold water. She shivered at the familiar few sentences; her heart pounded as she remembered the brochure—and the realization finally sunk in. While Hippie Girl at least had all her unethical jewelry and tech, Jioni had nothing, absolutely nothing for payment day, and this day was almost gone.
Before Jioni could read the letter a second time, Hippie Girl took it back and tossed it to the side.
“That bracelet wasn’t even real gold,” Hippie Girl said. “But it was worth much more than that.”
Hippie Girl pushed the shoebox of jewelry and technology off her bed—she confined her body to a crouch, sunk into the soft bed, and barely moved. Her blonde hair draped over her face, and she vibrated as if cold.
Jioni sat there with her head back, staring up at the van ceiling. “I got a similar letter. I’m shocked this happened to you, too.”
