I nodded, opened the car door, and ran through the rain to the front entrance of my building.

I let myself into my dark, quiet apartment.

The air felt cold and empty.

I sat down at my small desk and pulled my laptop open.

I logged into my student portal and clicked on the billing tab.

There it was, in bright red text: *Balance Due: $4,200.00. Payment Deadline: October 14, 12:00 PM.*

Below it, a warning notice stated that failure to pay would result in immediate administrative withdrawal.

My phone buzzed on the desk.

I picked it up, expecting another text from my mother.

Instead, it was an automated email from my bank.

*Notice of Account Hold,* the subject line read.

I opened it, my eyes scanning the formal language.

“Due to irregular activity, a temporary administrative hold has been placed on your account ending in 4092.”

The balance was listed as zero.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.

Then my gaze fell on the thick manila folder sitting on my desk.

I reached out and opened it, looking at the forged documents.