The Vampire's Sugar Baby

Moving to a new city seemed like a dream come true, but now all I felt was fear. My carry-on bag rolled behind me as I stepped off the plane and followed two fraternity boys through the passenger boarding bridge. They kept glancing back at me, making me feel as though I were some sort of freak. I still wasn’t used to it. The stares I mean. As I stepped off the bridge and into the crowded airport, I heard a high-pitched voice coated by a Texas drawl yell out my name. “Charlotte!” I turned toward the voice and saw the beautiful bouncing red curls of my friend Alison as she came rushing towards me. All of a sudden, my fear was gone, and I was filled with excitement. She wrapped her arms around me in the biggest embrace I’d ever felt. Her energy was radiating. I can’t remember the last time I had that much energy. I hoped she would know I was just as happy to see her as she was me. “It’s so good to finally see you in person!” she beamed, showing off the gap between her front two teeth. “I know!” I tried to muster up a little more energy so she wouldn’t doubt my happiness at finally getting to meet. It was so sweet of her to pick me up from the airport, and I was happy to have a friend already. “I’ve been looking forward to us finally getting together!” Alison looped her arm in mine and walked me down to where we could pick up the rest of my luggage. It was nice having someone so excited to see me, especially someone so beautiful and sweet. Don’t get me wrong, I have friends who are girls and they’re all wonderful people, but there had always been something about seeing the pretty popular girls giggling and hugging one another that made me feel like maybe I’d missed out on some aspect of womanhood that revolved around female friendships. The truth is, I grew up "the fat girl". I wasn’t terribly unattractive, but I was fat, and boys in school didn’t want to date me. I’d only had one boyfriend in college named Jackson, and it was a total nightmare. Don’t get me wrong, I dated some after college, and tried Tinder and Bumble, but nothing came of it, aside from a few regrettable hookups. So I put the bulk of my time and energy into my passions, primarily photography. After graduating, I started a studio out of my apartment and focused on shooting boudoir. Ironic, that I spent 4 years making other women feel sexy when I myself hadn’t loved my body in years. Photography is how I met Alison. We met online in a group for models and photographers. She’s one of the most popular models in Dallas, and she has loved my work since my first post in the group. In fact, she left me my first comment. Since then, she’s been such a cheerleader for my work. “I just can’t wait for us to start shooting together! I’m dying to try on those fabulous angel wings you have! Also, when we get to my place I have a massive surprise for you!” Alison gushed. “Oh no, Ali, you’ve already done so much by letting me stay in your home while I find a place.” “Well, I’m not going to lie, it’s really something for me, but you’re going to love it.” I could only imagine what Alison had in store. As we stepped out into the humid Texas air, and the sounds of people hurriedly getting into their Ubers hit my eardrums, I noticed those same frat boys staring at me and Alison. “I’ve already ordered a ride. It says it’ll be here in 7 minutes. Do you have the app?” I was too focused on those frat boys to pay attention. They were at least 5 years younger than me. What was wrong with them? Alison realized what was happening. She laughed. “Ugh, younguns’, they take one look at a beautiful woman and get so hot and bothered they don’t know what to do with themselves.” I scoffed. “I highly doubt they’re hot and bothered over me.” Immediately, Alison grabbed my shoulders and turned me towards her. “Girl, have you looked in the mirror lately? You are a goddess. You look amazing since your surgery. You need to stop with all the negative self-talk and enjoy yourself. You’ve got a whole new life ahead of you.” Alison was referring to my gastric sleeve surgery. After about 2 years in business as a boudoir photographer in Tampa, my business was voted the Best of Florida and became a 6-figure studio. I’d put away about $50k in savings, paid for some dental work that was desperately needed, and had done something that had been on my mind for years: I got the gastric sleeve. I’d lost over 150 lbs, and my next goal was to travel. I wanted to not just visit but live in different states all over the country. Experience new places. As a single woman nearing 30, it seemed like something I should do for myself. Hence, moving to Dallas. “I know, it’s just that, I didn’t think I was really treated so differently before, and now… men constantly stare. I guess I expected things would be different, but I still feel like the same person I was.” “Listen to me, you have always been worthy, you have always been beautiful, but now you have a rockin’ bod too. It’s time to let yourself love yourself. Don’t let those boys' wandering eyes bother you. You’re hot, and it’s time you owned it.” I told you Alison was a cheerleader. Our Uber pulled in, and we got in the back seat. Off we went, up and down on the Dallas highways. We continued to drive further and further out. Eventually, we were outside of Dallas, and our driver took an exit that led into a quaint neighborhood and stopped on the curb of a cute little house. I looked at Ali confused. Her hands went up and she smiled. “Surprise!” Ali hopped out of the car and grabbed my luggage from the driver as he pulled it out of the trunk. “I thought you had an apartment.” “Well, I recently upgraded.” Ali laughed, “But wait until you see the inside.” As soon as we walked in, my jaw dropped. The house was like a palace. Pink walls, giant mirrors, chaise lounges. It was the ultimate dream studio. “Ali, how did you build this?” I asked. “I didn’t. It was a foreclosure. Nobody wanted it because anyone eccentric enough to buy it wants to live in the city, and anyone who wants to live out here is looking for something more practical. The couple who lived here before put 50 years of work into designing it.” I was in awe. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “Come on,” she said, “I’ll show you your temporary room.” The room she had me in had ornate wallpaper, giant curtains, and gold bedding with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The adjoining bathroom had a hot tub in the shape of a heart, and red wallpaper with gold sconces. “Once your bed comes in I have a bonus empty bedroom that most models use for changing. Until then, I hope you don’t mind that the house is primarily set up for shooting and not living. Of course, the fridge is stocked with food,” Ali said from behind me. “No problem!” I said, smiling. “I can definitely work with this for the next few weeks.