My name is Jasmine, but everyone always called me Silva.
I'd started dying my hair when I was sixteen, and three years later, I still loved the look of it.
It made me look young and wild. That's what I wanted to be. I go to the gym and got tattoos as soon as I could, and I keep my hair looking perfectly maintained.
Why though? Why put so much effort into looking like I do?
When people look at me, I want them to think that I look like a porn star. The first thing that enters their thoughts should be, 'Holy smoke, this girl looks like a porn star'.
That's just who I want to be. I want to have that sort of power.
I live with my older sister, Violet, in her uptown apartment in Seattle. It's always raining here, but I like it. She's not around much, since she travels for work as an air hostess, so I mostly have the place to myself. Of course, her husband, Rhett, is here too.
He's an architect and works from home most days. I don't like him much, but he's good company when things get lonely.
I love my life, but there's one thing that always gets to me, and it's money. I always need money. Which begs the question; what should a girl do in the big world when she's short of cash?
I was sitting in the cocktail bar, alone, while waiting for my date to arrive. He was a running a little late but had promised he wasn't standing me up and that he was just caught in traffic. I wanted to believe him, since this man was absolutely smoking, and had the sort of cash supply that I needed.
It's hard to find a rich fella, since you can never be sure if they're a dodgy sort of rich, like drug dealers and pimps, or a comfortable sort of rich, like real estate agents and lawyers. I know which ones are better for you, and I know which ones are more short-term fun.
While I waited, I studied my reflection in the window. Wide, round blue eyes and plump lips, I still had that youthful cheekiness about me. I loved looking like this.
I see him enter across the room, and his eyes scan the faces, looking for me. I wave, winking at him, and his face lights up as he sees me. He looks dashing, in casual clothes that still managed to look expensive.
"Hi," I say, getting up from my seat to greet him.
I reach for his hand to shake it, but he takes mine with both of his and plants a light kiss upon my fingers.
"Why, hello. You must be Jasmine?"
"I am, but please, call me Silva," I say, tilting my head to the side slightly, my chin raised up.
I want him to see my face, to see me. He'll have to want me. And under the bar lights, I must look seductive and illuminated.
"Silva, sure. Like your hair."
I smile wide but can't help but think, obviously, like my hair.
"And you're Matt," I say, trying not to think anymore.
"Yes, I am. Would you like a drink?" he asks, smiling. His teeth are white and perfectly straight, and I can't help but think about how much it would cost to keep them so pristine.
Hopefully a lot.
"I'd love one. Vodka sunrises are my favourites."
"Oh, so you're a vodka girl?" he teases.
"Everyone's a vodka girl at some point in their life, Matty. I just haven't moved past that yet," I joke, waving my hand to dismiss it. I'm alright at holding my liquor so hopefully he doesn't think I'm a lightweight.
"Very true. Have you had the shots here before?" he asks.
"Shots? At dinner time? No I haven't, but if you have then you're very brave."
Matt chuckles.
"Oh no, but I've been here late before, with some friends. The wet pussy shots are to die for."
"What's in them?" I ask, curious.
Was he being cheeky?
"Peace schnapps and vodka, cranberry juice and lime. I'm not usually into fruity stuff, or shots really, but when you're getting ready for a night out it's necessary."
"And if it's early you can actually still taste your drinks," I say, thinking back on my own bad experiences.
"Exactly. And who doesn't like peach schnapps?"
I laugh and sigh. He's so dreamy, with his cute smile and neat hair and kind brown eyes. His jawline is so sharp I could practically cut cheese with it.
I can't wait to get him home.
We order dinner and he tells me about his life. He's a director at an advertising company but is thinking of branching out on his own soon, eventually hoping to be good enough to direct movies.
"I just don't have the confidence in my skill yet, and I'd like my first film to be a good one."
"Why doubt yourself so much?"
"It's not doubt, Silva, it's pride. I've got to be the best."
"I used to think like that, but I can't seem to live up to my sister's expectations, so my own aren't that high."
"What does your sister expect you to be?" he asks me, and he seems genuinely curious.
I stir my drink with my straw, thinking. How much should I tell this man, before I take him home? How much is appropriate?
"I did pretty good in school and I think she thought I'd go to college and keep studying and get a degree and stuff, you know? I just haven't though. I live with her, but she's away most of the time."
"Oh. Why didn't you keep studying?"
"To be completely honest, Matt, it's boring. There isn't anything that tickles my fancy that much that you can study."
"But you've got interests?"
I grimace. My only interest is really just maintaining myself, but I can't say that. He'll think I'm crazy.
"Ever since I was a little girl, I've just wanted to be happy and find my place in the world. If I'm meant to get a degree, I'll find the inspiration and I'll do it. Until then, I'm not worried."
"You've got a lot of faith in the universe," he says, surprised.
"When life has treated me so well, why wouldn't I? I'm out here, on this lovely evening, with a lovely man, having a lovely time. I think it's fair to have some faith in everything."
He seems to like that, so maybe I should try to compliment him some more.
"Well, I'm glad you're having a good time. I am as well. This is really nice."
"Isn't it? I haven't had such a good conversation with someone in such a long time. When I saw you walk in here, I was so excited. I knew immediately you'd be a good talker. Plus, you're gorgeous, so what isn't there to like?" I say, before biting my lip.
Matt blushes a little and looks at me with a soft gaze.
After a while, he says, "So, you just want to be happy, Silva. What makes you happy?"
"I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it all out, you know. I'm only nineteen."
"Oh, really? I thought you could have been older."
"Oh, no. I'm still a baby, aha," I say, in a cooing voice.
"Yes, aren't you. You're the youngest person I've ever been out with," he says.
"Do you go out a lot, Matt?"
"A little. Haven't quite landed on the right girl to stick with, until now."
"Am I the right girl?" I ask seductively, in a low and lusty voice.
I'm trying to work my magic now, channelling my desire through my face and body language. I can feel his eyes dart between my face and my breasts, which look heavy and fit in my red dress. I'd kicked my sweaty, stiff heels off a long time ago, and now gently touch his shoes with my toes, initiating that first touch.
I can smell his beautiful cologne from across the table, and it just makes me want him more. All I can now think about was getting back to my place, or better yet, his, and taking my clothes off, putting on a little show. Surely he must want the same thing?
"You might be. You're better than the others," he says slowly, looking at me curiously.
The waiter interrupts us, and quickly puts the food down on the table.
We eat and chat away, the conversation not reaching that same level of intensity as before. I'm worried that I scared him off a little, until he asks if I'd like to move to a booth seat after dinner, to have a few more drinks before we left. I naturally accepted, and we moved onto the comfy cushioned booth seats. Matt takes the seat next to me instead of beside me this time, and we position ourselves close, our bodies leaning against each other.
Matt's talking quietly into my ear, and I was trying my best to listen but all I could think about was how much I wanted him, now. I ached for his touch between my legs, his beautiful lips on my breasts and his hands all over my body.
Please, Matt, take me home tonight.
"Silva?" he interrupts my daydreaming.
"What? Oh, sorry. I was thinking."
"It's okay," he says, cheery, "What were you thinking about?"