Afterglow ❃ l.m.j

• chapter twenty six •

A long gulp of water graced my lungs as I eyed the pole in the middle of my living room. The lights were low and the intro to Partition by Beyoncé blared from my speakers in the back of the house.

A routine for the next Sacrificial Saturday was taking a bit to come to me but I knew it would eventually. I just wanted something that was different from what I'd already done. In the past I focused a lot on sensuality or the technique of my moves. I think now I want to focus more on theatrics. I want to tell the fantasy instead of just selling it.

I sighed. I currently had a playlist of songs I compiled that I thought would make good potential routines as motivation. But some were old and done already. Like Partition for example.

I put my water bottle down with a shake of my head and pressed next. Go There With You by Victoria Monet flooded the room instead. I moved my hips softly to the beat, side to side alongside the drum. My feet called to the pole, planting itself in front. I gripped the pole, walking in a 360 before giving up. Every move that came into my head didn't feel sexy enough. It just felt... blah.

I let the pole go, standing there in thought. It'd be a really good song for a burlesque vibe, but it'd have to be interactive to really have some pull. But it's also so slow that there's no soul shocking moves I can manage. It's better as a performance by the artist itself than as a performance at a strip club.

I feathered my hands through my hair with a pout. The song came to an end. I See Red by Everybody Loves An Outlaw began playing now.

I allowed my eyes to close as I really listened to the song. This... this felt sexy. I could crawl, I could command people as I wished, I could play with my hair. A wild, Wild West theme would be too on the nose. But a black trench coat with a red and black corset underneath and black pleasers? It's simple but it could work. I could curl my hair for it too. Wait... A prop. A man. I could use one of the men as a prop! I envisioned a man with a tie laying on the stage underneath my heel.

I smiled to myself. Now we're talking.

I ran to my phone to place the song on repeat. Then I opened my notes app to compile a list of ideas. I have the outfit in mind. I'd have to go around town looking but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find. What place didn't sell corsets nowadays? And I had a billion pairs of pleasers. There also should be a leather coat in my closet somewhere that would fit the vision in my head.

For the men, I could ask one of the security guards. I might have to ask Ally if it's okay but I'm sure someone wouldn't mind.

But at the same time, this idea was too golden to just be a throwaway Saturday. After that, my last dance is New Year's Eve. I'd rather leave this for that. I puffed my lips out. Which means back to the drawing board.

I rewrote over one of my lines in my notes app to remind myself to save this set idea for that show. Then I threw my phone to the side, running my hands through my hair.

Why couldn't this be simpler?

I stood back up to drink some more water, the song playing over and over. I rolled my eyes, going to turn the repeat off and pressing next.

Wrong by Zayn.

I looked at my counter solemnly. This was the hard part of being a dancer— trying to find a way to keep the crowd entertained. Because if I don't keep people entertained, I don't make tips, and no tips equals no rent. And even the best money management in the world can't make up for financial instability after a while.

At this point, a simple set with a girl or two was just going to have to do. I'll figure out the rest later.

I turned the music off altogether. Speaking of money, I still had to wash and separate everything I made over the past few days.

I walked into my room to grab the garbage bags full of money.

I had a couple thousand for a fact. I moved the bag to the laundry room, opening the washer and emptying it all in. Then I added the dish soap, detergent, fabric softener, and bleach.

I pursed my lips as I set the machine. I'll have to put this into my budget journal later to see how much is gonna go to bills and to savings. But I also still had some last minute Christmas shopping to do before I left to my mom's house. I had everyone's gifts except for Taylor's. There was one last charm I wanted to get for a bracelet I got her a few months back of a megaphone and I saw it somewhere at the mall. It'd definitely have to be a trip sometime within the next few days.

My phone began ringing from the kitchen. I went to go pick it up, seeing Valencia flash across my screen. Rosé. I pressed answer.

"Hey! Everything okay?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed. I wasn't opposed to the girls calling me but it wasn't that often since we seen each other so much.

Rosé's voice was cheery. "Hey, boo! You're not coming in tonight, right?"

"No, I have tonight off. Why, what's up?"

I could tell Stefanie was in the back just by the music alone. She always had on some damn Doechii.

"We're coming to pick you up after work! Impromptu sleepover!" She yelled into the receiver. I yanked it back from my ear with a grin.

Ro laughed. "You heard her?"

"Yes, I did. Are you guys sure? You won't be too tired?"

I could see her nodding in my head. "Of course I'm sure, I wouldn't offer unless we had the time."

"Okay! Um, do you guys want me to meet y'all there?" I looked at the mess around my living room. I lived about forty five minutes away from her so I'd have to leave a little early. I'd definitely have time to at least wash, dry, and flatten my money though.

"You can, or we can pick you up." Stef offered. I shrugged, giving it some thought.

"Um... I don't know, I think I'll meet you guys there. I'm washing my money and I wanna clean up a bit first."

"Shit, you just reminded me, I need to do that too. Okay, girl, let us know what you're going to do, okay? We'll see you later!" V said. I grinned, saying my goodbyes and hanging up.

I looked around my living room at the mess I made in such a small amount of time. Leave it to me to overload my to do list, right?