Chapter 1 Five hundred thousand dollars.

Meyer's POV

Tears trickled down my eyes as I sat beside my mom's hospital bed. I watched her. She looks so pale and she still hasn't been conscious. She was diagnosed with leukemia and the doctor had requested over a hundred dollars to perform on her.

I couldn't believe the cost of the operation. It was so much money, more than I could ever hope to raise. I felt like I was stuck, with no way out. How could I possibly get the money to save my mother's life? I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless and alone. I just wanted my mother to be okay. I was willing to do anything to make that happen.

Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw a man standing there. He was a stranger, but there was something about him that made me feel at ease.

Where was I going to that much amount of money? No matter what I do or sell? Even in two years, I will never be able to raise that much not even a quarter of it.

Five hundred thousand dollars is such a huge amount of money.

As I thought about the cost of the operation, it felt like a mountain of debt hanging over me. I knew I couldn't raise that kind of money on my own. I felt so lost and overwhelmed. I didn't know where to turn. I sat there, staring at my mother's still form, tears streaming down my face. I felt like my world was falling apart.

Then, I heard a voice, clear and calm, cutting through the chaos of my thoughts. "You're not alone," the voice said. I turned and saw the man who had been standing next to me.

I didn't know what to do because I was so confused.

"I can see that you're struggling," the man said, his voice gentle and kind. "Let me help you." I didn't know what to say. I was so overwhelmed, and the man's offer of help felt like a lifeline. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"I can help you raise the money you need for your mother's operation," he said. I stared at him, trying to make sense of what he was saying. "How?" I asked.

The first thing I noticed was the way he was dressing. He wasn't dressed in an outfit but in hospital wear. I studied him for a while just to see that he was mentally challenged. He didn't know what he was saying at all.

It was then two nurses came and took him out.

I turned to my mother again and I went to the doctor's office. I wanted to plead with him if he could help me.

"I am telling you, Ms. Gomez, you need to get the money in a week. Begging won't solve the problem." The doctor said.

I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of the doctor's words. He was right, I couldn't just beg for the money I needed. I had to find a way to raise it. But how? I was starting to feel like I was at the end of my rope. I had no idea what to do next.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Then, I remembered something the man had said to me. "I can help you raise the money you need." Maybe there was something there, something I could use to my advantage. But what was it?

I kicked the idea of the mentally challenged man out of my thoughts when I scurried out of the hospital to look for the money.

I went straight back to the club where I worked as a waitress. Then I saw Miley, my friend since elementary school.

"So what's up? Have you gotten the money?" She asked.

I nodded negatively.

"No, I haven't gotten the money yet. The doctor said I have only a week for the money to be paid."

"Oh no, that's terrible!" Miley said, her face full of concern. "You know, there might be a way to get the money you need."

I felt a surge of hope. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I've heard of people using crowdfunding sites to raise money for medical expenses," she said. "Maybe you could set up a campaign and get people to donate money to help your mom."

I had never considered using a crowdfunding site before, but it seemed like it could be a real possibility. I decided to give it a try.

"I will try it tomorrow," I replied to her. Then I continued to take the costumer's orders.

As I waited tables, I couldn't stop thinking about the crowdfunding campaign. Would it work? Would people be willing to donate money to help me and my mom? I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try. After all, I didn't have any other options.

The next day, I went to the computer at the library and set up a profile on a crowdfunding site. I described my mom's medical condition and the need for money to pay for her operation. I wasn't sure if anyone would donate, but I hoped that someone out there would be willing to help.

After I had created the profile, I began to spread the word about it. I posted it on my social media accounts and shared it with my friends and family. I was nervous, but I tried to stay hopeful. Then, something amazing happened.

Within a few hours, the donations started coming in. People were giving money to help me and my mom! I was overwhelmed with gratitude. But at the end of the day, the money didn't amount to anything close to what I wanted. It isn't even up to a quarter of the money requested.

I was only able to raise five thousand dollars out of five hundred thousand dollars. I have to find a fast way to do that.