Adversity ~ H.S.

Chapter 2

I wait at the bar, sipping my vodka and cranberry while Zayn goes to find the room where the meeting is happening. He was right about it being packed, my body is covered in a layer of sweat purely from the amount of heat radiating off the people around me. Whoever this singer is, they must be really good for a turn out this big.

I cross my legs and lean my back into the bar top as I take in the room, looking for easy exits and anyone who looks like they're from some kind of gang. People in high-vis jackets start hauling speakers and microphones onto the stage, setting them up for the performance. I kind of wish I could sit and watch it.

I finish my drink and put my glass down on the bar top before standing up and walking towards the bathrooms. The hallway that connects the club to the private rooms and bathrooms is filled with smoke as various people stand sharing joints.

I walk past a small group of men smoking, one shorter guy with shaggy brown hair stands to the side with a cigarette in his hand while scrolling on his phone, bingo. I slip past him and take the cigarette between my own fingers and swiftly keep walking as I hear him shout behind me. I bring it to my lips and take a long inhale, my face screws up instantly. What kind of cheap shit is this?

I carry on smoking it anyway as I pass a couple making out right beside the women's restroom. I make sure to nudge into them as I open the door and the woman scoffs while muttering a simple 'bitch'. I smirk to my self as I walk into the bathroom and stand by the window. That's what they get for PDA.

I put my cigarette out in the sink and grab my lipstick from its place in my bra (I hate carrying bags). I reapply a thin layer with my right hand as I fix my hair with the left. When I'm happy I look more put together, I lean against the cold brick wall for a second.

I have to take on the persona of a clueless stripper tonight, yes I have training for this particular role but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. I salute the women who can flawlessly dance so sexily and have fun doing it but I do not salute the people that watch them. Men. They sit in their comfy chairs, smoking and drinking while thinking up disgusting things about these women and then treat them like shit just because they think this job isn't something useful. It's stupid really but aren't most men just that anyway.

A fist pounds aggressively on the door so I yell, "one minute!" The person only bangs louder, "I said one fucking minute you douche!"

I hear a familiar voice through the door, "Maddison they're all in there waiting, you don't have one minute."

Zayn. I huff and walk to the door unlocking it, as soon as I do he opens the door for me and I slip out. "What were you even doing in there?" He asks me as he leads me to the room we need to be in.

"What do you think I was doing?" I ask sarcastically from behind him.

"God knows when it comes to you." He retorts before he stops in front of a bright blue door labelled 'for private use only'. He straightens his posture and then reaches for the handle.

I wipe the small smirk off my face and keep my eyes on Zayn's back as he enters. I approach the speaker and set up the music I need as Zayn apologises to the men I have yet to look at to keep up his role of being a club employee, "Sorry to keep you waiting gentleman. Your entertainment got lost on the way in."

Time to put on the best show of your life Maddison. I step up into the small stage, adding an extra sway to my hips for effect. I wrap my hands around the cold silver pole in the centre and Zayn gives me a nod from the corner of the room as he starts 'preparing their drinks' aka searching for the intel we need.

The beat drops and I throw my hair over my shoulder. I shut my eyes and let my body flow with the sound, I loosen my muscles and limbs, taking a deep breath as I start to wind and contort my body around the pole. I make sure to make every move sexy and distinct.