“Open this damned door now,” my landlord yells, banging his meaty fists on my door.

Not even daring to breathe, I press myself tightly against the wall in the only blind spot that cannot be seen through the keyhole of my tiny, one-room apartment.

“I know you’re in there, Harper. I saw you go in,” he growls.

Please God, please. Make him go away, I pray silently as a bead of sweat slips down the inside of my arm.

“I have another key that I can use to get in,” he threatens darkly.

I squeeze my eyelids tightly. Don’t fold, Cass. Don’t fold. Stay strong. He’s totally lying. Just trying to scare you. In the last year, I’ve seen him walking around with that heavy ring of keys only once.

Suddenly, to my horror, I hear the jangle of keys.

Oh, shit.

My eyes fly open and I stop breathing. He brought the whole damned thing. I freeze with panic when I hear him put a key into the lock. I can’t face him and tell him another pile of lies. I just need to buy myself a little bit more time. One of the people from my job interviews could still call. In fact, that guy from Chips-R-Us said he’d call tomorrow. Impulsively, I drop to the floor and roll under the bed just as the door flies open.

With my cheek stuck to the bare floorboard and my heart pounding like crazy, I stare wide-eyed at the doorway. Mr. Tanner is standing with his feet wide apart. From this angle, his legs look like tree trunks. For a few seconds, they remain planted on the floor while he surveys my small room. Then his feet move as if to leave. I clasp my hands together. Thank you, God. Thank you. But just as I exhale a sigh of relief, his scuffed black shoes turn back into the room.

No!

They come to a stop in front of the bed.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Suddenly, his fat face appears in the gap between the floor and the bed.

Busted.

My cheeks burn, but I plaster a fake bright smile on my face. “Hi, Mr. Tanner.”

There is no smile in response. His brown eyes are irritated. “You think this is funny?”

I drop my smile instantly. “No, no. Of course not.”

“Get out of there,” he orders.

I scramble out and stand nervously in front of him.

He smells of sweat and bacon. “I thought you said you’d have my rent money by today.”

I swallow hard. “Yes, I know I said that. But I’ve had a bit of a problem, Mr. Tanner.”

He folds his hands in front of his distended belly and stares at me coldly.

“But please don’t worry about it. I swear I’ll have the money by this weekend.”

He frowns. “That’s what you said last week and the week before that.”

“Yes, and I should have had it.” I clear my throat. “I was let down, but this time I promise I’ll have the money.”

“Look. I like you. You’re a good kid, but I ain’t runnin’ a charity here. If you don’t come up with the money by the weekend, and that means Sunday—6:00 p.m. at the latest—you’re out. Am I making myself clear?”

I nod. “Absolutely, Mr. Tanner. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll have the money. I promise.”

“I don’t get it. You work all the time. You never go out. What do you do with your money?”

“I told you, Mr. Tanner. When my father was sick, I took a short-term loan from some people to pay for his medical bills. I have to service that loan every week. They’ve cut my hours at work, but I’ve gone for some interviews. I should hear back this week.” I bite my lip and look at him imploringly.

“Hmmm…that’s a shame.” He sucks at his teeth. “You could, you know, pay your rent in different ways.”

My eyes widen with disbelief. “What?”

He scratches his double chin while his greedy eyes crawl over my chest like slimy fingers and his tongue comes out to wet his lips. “We could come to some…arrangement.”

“No,” I blurt out in disgust.

I see a flash of surprised anger cross his face and quickly smile to soften the blow. “What I meant to say is, thank you. It’s a truly great offer, but it won’t be necessary since I will have the money for you.”

He throws me a sour look. “Fine. I’m leaving now, but you keep your word this time. Don’t think I won’t haul your sorry ass out on the sidewalk and change the locks.”

“Okay. Thank you, Mr. Tanner,” I whisper.

He turns around and walks out of my room.

I walk to the door, close it, and sag against it. My knees give way. I slide down and sit slumped on the floor. It’s like the weight of the whole world is bearing down upon my shoulders. I stare at the blank wall above my bed, feeling sick to my stomach.

I don’t know how I’m going to manage. It is now clear that Mr. Tanner is deadly serious. He is going to kick me out unless I come up with my rent money. I am so lost in worry and stress, I jump when my cell phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket and look at it hopefully. It is my bestie, Jesse.

“Hey,” she says, her voice bubbling with excitement. “I’ve got great news for you.”

“Yeah? What is it?” I ask without enthusiasm.

“It’s too good to tell over the phone. I’m coming over right now,” she says and cuts the connection.