(gentle music)
- We were randomly paired as roommates and it was fine.
We got along, but we're total opposites.
I mean, I couldn't wait to get to college and be on my own,
but Lauren,
she was homesick and stressed
and super worried about money all the time.
She had a scholarship
but I guess it didn't cover everything
because she watched every penny.
Like one of the first nights here,
a bunch of us went out to dinner, just someplace cheap.
I told her it was a great chance to make some new friends,
but she stayed back and ate by herself.
I tried to get her out of her shell, meet new people.
But then classes started and I had lacrosse...
You guys, have a great first day.
And she started picking up shifts
at a restaurant to make ends meet.
And we just didn't spend much time together
outside of our dorm room.
Then she met Mark.
- Oh! So sorry.
- I'm sorry. - Are you okay...
- Yeah. ...uh, Lauren?
Wow. What a beautiful name.
- Thanks.
- [Alana] He grew up here,
not too far from campus, I guess.
He's an entrepreneur launching some startup. I don't know.
- I hope you enjoy your meal.
- Yeah. Thanks. - You're welcome.
- [Alana] She seemed super happy at first.
- You do a little of this.
- [Alana] For months, they were together all the time.
- Here, you try it. (laughter)
Wait, hold on, hold on. I wanna record you.
- No. baby. Not yet, not yet.
- Oh come on, let me record.
- [Alana] She slept at his place a lot.
I only met him briefly once or twice,
but she said he was really smart and successful,
that his company was about to take off.
From everything she told me,
I think he made her feel cared for, you know,
maybe because he's older.
She also said she felt good because
he really listened to her, treated her like an adult.
(music fades out)
- You know how much I love being with you.
It's just been hard juggling classes and us.
And now this class just added these really expensive textbooks
and you have to buy hard copies, there's nothing online.
- Babe, what can I do to help?
- Can I like borrow $200 from you? Please?
I can pay you back a little at a time.
- Babe, you know I'd do anything for you, but I don't have it.
All my money's tied up in getting the business going right now.
- Right. Of course. It's just...
I don't know how I'm gonna pay for these books that I need.
My parents can't help me
and then the restaurant's been cutting back my hours.
I mean, what am I supposed to do? Drop out of school?
- Use your credit card.
- I don't have one and I don't think I qualify.
- I bet you would.
Come here. Bring your laptop.
I got you babe.
Give me your info and we'll apply online.
It's super easy.
(ominous piano music)
Here. What's your social security number?
- Uh, 1-3-6...
(music ends) - After a while though,
the stressed out Lauren started to reappear.
I came home one night and she was crying about something,
wouldn't say what.
And then she asked if I could lend her 50 bucks
and she'd pay me back in a couple weeks.
I felt bad for her, but didn't wanna ask a lot of questions.
- I don't understand why you're so upset.
So you borrowed 50 bucks from your roommate.
What's the big deal?
- The big deal is that we maxed out
my credit card between my school expenses
and what we needed for the startup.
And I had to borrow money
from my roommate just to make the minimum payment.
I'm already panicked about what I'm gonna do next month,
and then I get a bill in the mail about a second credit card
that's maxed out that you opened in my name.
- Babe, I'm so sorry for not telling you.
Honestly,
I didn't think you'd make such a big deal about it.
It's a short term thing.
I couldn't access the business credit line at the bank
because we've got this big investor coming on board
and it's just better not having that on the books.
But as soon as we get his funds,
I'll pay off both your cards.
(commanding voice) Look!
(tense music)
(gentle voice) You said you wanted to help me
with the business somehow.
I didn't tell you about the card because it's just
a temporary thing and I knew you'd worry.
It's all good, though.
Trust me. I love you.
(music fades out) - A week or so went by
and she just seemed to be even more distant than usual.
- Mark, please, I'm begging you.
You have got to make payments on those credit cards.
They're due next week.
- Babe, I'm sorry. I can't right now, but I will next month.
You know that with the startup-- - What am I supposed to do now?
- I don't know...
Maybe you could sell photos. You're hot enough.
(laughing) Oh, come on, you know what I mean.
Like the photos you send me?
- I take those photos for you,
not for everyone to see on the internet.
- Whatever. I mean, it's really just modeling, no big deal.
I know lots of people who do it.
Plus you're gorgeous.
You'd make bank and you know it.
Honestly, you'd never have to worry about money again.
That's all I want for you, babe.
I love you.
Hey, I know that selling photos and making sexy videos
and stuff isn't your thing,
but it's really no different
than what other people put on social media, right?
A few pics and videos a day
and all your money problems will be solved.
- And then she gradually changed.
Her stress seemed to go away.
She paid me back the money she borrowed.
But she somehow seemed sad and detached,
like worn down, kind of empty.
I can't explain it.
And then one night we had a game canceled
and I got home early.
- You're just so sweet to me,
all the videos and photos you're buying.
I don't know how I could ever thank you enough.
I mean, maybe we could meet for something more? In-person?
A private modeling session. (giggles)
The cost is $200 and I guarantee you it'll make you very happy.
(door opens loudly)
- What's going on?
- Nothing. Lauren was just making a joke video for me.
- Really?
- Yeah, really, Alana.
Didn't know you were this nosy.
So how was lacrosse?
- Canceled.
I'm going downstairs to grab some food.
Do you wanna come with? Catch up?
- No, we have plans. Thanks, though.
- Okay, well I'll be back in a bit.
- Okay, bye Alana.
- She knows something's going on.
- She knows nothing.
And besides, what is going on?
You're just making some money to support our business
and pay for school, right?
- Yeah. But not like this.
I don't really wanna do this anymore.
- Aw, babe, don't mess things up for yourself.
You're doing so great.
You're so incredibly beautiful.
And all your money problems are almost gone.
(with a firm voice) - I don't like this.
I don't wanna do this anymore.
(tense, ominous music) - You don't like it?
How do you think you'd like it
if your professors or the people in your school
saw your photos?
Or your parents?
Mom and dad might not ever look at you the same way
if they saw your videos.
(slowly draws in a breath) That would be a real shame.
All that trust in their perfect little girl, gone.
What we should do is pack some of your clothes,
go to my place, and keep this going.
(growing angry) Having a perfectly good day
and you talk to one person for one minute
and suddenly act like a victim.
Like I put a gun to your head or something.
I'm helping you, helping us,
trying to take us to where we wanna be.
And all you wanna do is complain!
(Lauren gasps)
(music grows more tense)
Hand me that.
(tense music fades out)
- When I got back that night after dinner,
they were gone, over to Mark's I guess.
I don't know, the whole thing just felt really creepy to me.
And Lauren, she just doesn't seem like herself, you know?
I mean, I know she can take care of herself,
but something's not right about their relationship
and the way she's changing.
- Yeah, I get it.
Something's definitely off.
Does Lauren seem open to talking about it?
- Sometimes, but only when Mark's not around.
(concerned yet reassuring music)
- I'm glad you told me, Alana.
You definitely did the right thing.
(deep sigh of relief) - Okay.
- I'll take care of it from here.
- Thank you. Thank you so much.
(phone rings)
- Officer Monroe, how can I help you?
- Hi Officer Monroe.
This is Olivia Thompson.
I'm an RA in South Hall.
I want to report some things going on
with one of the students in my dorm.
I just spoke to her roommate
and she thinks a boyfriend
is coercing her to do sexual things.
I thought I should call and fill you in on what I know.
- Okay.
- [Olivia] Well, she said it started a couple months ago
when the roommate got a boyfriend that's older...
(music continues then fades out)