It was Wednesday, the third day of a new semester. Gym class was just over and Sandy was in the communal shower with a few of the other girls.
Sandy could not help regretting that she had not studied for her exams. Because of that, her results were going to be so, oh so very far, short of the B-average target Mrs Johnson, her guidance counselor, had set as a condition for her work permit.
Her class had already received some of their exam results. Ariel and Esper had done well, with a few As, lots of Bs and several Cs between them. Sandy had barely managed to pass her subjects with her usual Cs and Ds.
Amazingly, Selina had achieved an A for every single subject so far. Not only was her tall friend exceptional in gym, she also appeared to be perfect in her studies too. The thought made Sandy so, oh so very jealous. Especially since she would easily get a work permit if she had that kind of results.
Without a work permit, she could not get a job. Without a job, she could not get money. And money was an issue for her since she had no income, other than her meager allowance. And with no source of income, the fortune her card had predicted was so, oh so very not-going-to-happen.
Both Annie and Connie had not hired her at all since the semester had started. It certainly did not look like Annie would, with the little girl buried in her books. Connie had asked her help that time before but the redhead had not contacted her since.
"Hey, Sarah," Sandy greeted back.
Sarah squealed. "A hot shower feels so good~."
"Yeah," Sandy agreed. It was a really cold day. Too cold for her to cycle that morning. So cold that it reached her even in the heated gym, even though she was exerting herself physically. The hot shower was just what she needed to warm herself up.
"I feel I could stay here forever," Sarah said.
"I'd like that too." If she could, she would. Sandy would stay in the hot shower and not return to class for the next lesson and receive yet another depressing exam result.
The girls warmed themselves silently for a minute, listening to the sprays of running water and the other girls chatting. Sandy noted that Selina was talking to Darla in another part of the shower area.
"Hey, did you hear?" Sarah asked suddenly, "There's this strange old man that hangs out at Greasy Aunt's."
"What's so strange about him?" Sandy asked.
"He just sits there and tells stories for food or sweets to anyone."
"Really?" Sandy uttered, "I've never heard of such a person."
"Yeah, those types of people are like usually after booze, not sundaes and fries."
"Other than that, there's nothing really special about him, is there?"
"Oh, but I hear his stories are good," Sarah said, "Like about lost treasure."
The word 'treasure' had Sandy's attention.
"He claimed some of it can even be found here," Sarah added, "like in this city."
Sandy was really interested then. Could that be where her wealth would come from? Could her wealth be some form of hidden treasure?
Both girls finished their showers and returned to the lockers. Coincidentally that day, Sandy had selected a locker next to Sarah's. She could continue her conversation with the girl.
"So, where do I find this old man?" Sandy asked as she opened her locker.
Sarah unlocked her own locker and took out her spectacles. "He's at Greassy Aunt's, usually in the afternoon, I hear."
Without taking her eyes off the other girl, Sandy started removing her clothes from her locker. "He just tells stories to anyone?"
"He expects some food in exchange. I thought I might go check him out with some friends one day." Sarah watched as Sandy reached into a locker. "Hey, what are you... Sandy, don't you look where you put your hand into?"
"What do you mean?"
"That's my bra you're putting on!"
Sandy looked at the garment round her chest. Oops!
"Honestly, this is like the second time already!" Sarah complained as she reclaimed her bra from Sandy, "I'm so not going to choose a locker next to you next time."
***
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