He turned it in at 11:59 PM. It was messy, and he knew he’d probably get a C. But as he closed his laptop, he realized it was the first time in weeks he didn’t feel like a machine himself.
He opened a private tab. He typed the phrase he swore he’d never use: buy argumentative essay online.
The avatar was a stock photo of a woman in a headset. Leo typed his requirements. 2,000 words. APA format. Counter-arguments included. The price was eighty dollars—four shifts at the diner. He hit "Pay Now" with a shaking hand.