Used. (EDITING)

Opening Day

A/N: Yeah, I know, pretty rare for me to make authors notes (actually the first time in this book) Buuut, I just wanted to thank everyone whose read my little ol' book here! Because I haven't updated in a LONG time, to all of the faithful readers out there, I'm going to make this one a long one! Okay here goes!

'"Okay, ladies rise and shine! We have a big day ahead of us!" Ms. Emeralds announces, making a booming clang noise with something. I shut my eyes, trying to get some extra shut eye, but the sun hits my face and the noise that Ms. Emerald is making confirms that I won't.

I grunt as I open my eyes which have been sealed with crust. I rise from my bed and stare at the other beds, trying to see if everyone has the same feeling as I do. Apparently not. Zayna, Wesley, and even the Queen-of-Laziness Fiona is up, alert and making their beds quickly. I get up and try to do the same. I make up the piece of cardboard (that's how my bed feels, literally) as the others have moved on to Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who gets in the bathroom first. Zayna wins. Wesley curses. Fiona grunts. "Dibs on next!" Fiona says so fast that Wesley didn't even get to open her mouth fully, so now it's in this sort of small circle.

"Shit!" Wesley curses again. "Alright fine, but Evelyne's last."

"Oh, well good morning Sleeping Horror." Fiona sneers.

"Lay off, fatass." I say crankily. I'm in desperate need of a coffee. Super dark and strong, the way I like it. "And what's the big thing about today?" Wesley answers automatically, being that since I've been here she's been my tour guide. Showing me the ropes and all while Fiona sleeps or smokes the cigarettes she got from God knows where, and Zayna sketching something breathtaking with her true love: the #2 pencil she managed to find 5 months ago, and she never tires of telling the story of how she took it out of Ms. Emeralds purse while she was in the shower.

"Well, today's the big day because-"

Fiona cuts her off. "We get to share our lovely bodies with old, dried up pervs for money! Only we never get-"

Wesley steals her explanation back, after shooting a glare that says don't-fuck-with-me to Fiona. Fiona smirks. "To keep the money, They pay Emeralds at the front. The customers pick which one of us they want though, so we get dolled up." Wow. Who would've thought that just when I started thinking that everything was going to be okay, and escaping Caterpillar lip was the end of my forced sex life. Apparently not. I guess I have a scared shitless expression on my face, because Fiona comforts me.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine, trust me. I've been doing this for two years now. And when you're a good girl for your customer, they become your regulars always give rewards. You think Wesley showed you the basics?" She gives me a smug smile. "Those weren't even close to the basics. Those were how to maneuver around this house. Wait until the dogs come barking. Better pray you don't get bit." With this, she pulls out her worn out New Port box and lights one up. I've never admitted it, but I've always loved the smell of a freshly lit cigarette. I don't know why, but the first puff of the cancer sticks is always the best. I inhale it deeply with my eyes closed.

"Oh my god, if that wasn't the best shower I've ever had! The water's steaming. Not that lukewarm almost hot. No, it's boiling!" Zayna's voice snaps me out of whatever spell the smoke put on me. Zayna has to be the prettiest of us all. Her blond hair is so straight and fine that putting curls in it would be pointless. She has interesting hazel eyes that can turn a light green when she's embarrassed. She's average height and curvy with bow lips. She walks with confidence, yet has a face that's humble. Whenever I compliment her, her eyes turn slightly green and she stares at the floor, mumbling a silent thank you. I wonder what her story is..? Anyway, I don't have time to find out because Ms. Emeralds is back in the room, asking for me to follow her. I know something is definintely up because she never, and I mean never calls for one of use unless we're in serious trouble. Like that one time last week when Wesley stole one of her lipstick tubes.

Big day? It just got bigger.

* * *

Sitting in the small office with Ms. Emeralds is dreadful. I squirm around in my seat, and lookign around in the bare office. Like, nothing's in here besides a small window to my left, the battered desk with fake lilies in a plastic green bucket-like thing, and the two metal fold up chairs we sit in. She clears her throat and rubs her hands together before putting both elbows on the table and using the backs of her hands to support her chin as she looks me over.

"Okay Evelyne. Well, here's whats going to be happening in the next few days. Have the girls told you about 'Opening Day?'"  I shake my head, even though I got the faintest explanation from Fiona and Wesley. "Okay, well 'Opening Day' is the first day of spring where we open our little business. You will report to the budding room and wait behind the curtains with the other ladies. Remember, get as many customers as you can because when you earn 10 thousand, you are released. Understand?" I swallow and nod stiffly because my tongue is in a really tight knot. Ten freaking grand!? How am I going to earn that much! Fiona's been here for a year or two now that I think about it... How much has she earned. I hear there's a strict policy about releasing any information about our location. Where do they take us? Do they gives us any money to help out? What if- "Ms. Booker?" Ms. Emeralds snaps me out of my waist deep train of thought. "It's Broker, but yes ma'am I heard you."

"Okay, great. You have about..." She checks the small golden watch on her wrist. "3 hours before Opening Day officially begins." She presses the button on the white microphone-thingy on her desk, which I'm guessing she uses to make announcements on the intercoms. "Zayna! Come down to the office and escort Evelyne back to the bedroom." I sit patiently and still in the chair, waiting for my escort, mind working like the nerds I seduced into doing my projects for me. Opening Day, huh?