Night: Harry Styles

Chapter One

Heavy bass thumped through the speakers, making the floor vibrate. The club staff was sweeping the stage and making sure the lights were all working. The air was busy, everyone was running around and getting ready for the oncoming night.

"Carmen," a voice called from behind me. "you need to be ready in ten."

I turned around, nodding, and began to walk back to my dressing room that I shared with five other girls. Upon opening the door, I saw the girls picking out their outfits, doing their make-up, and stretching in front of the mirror. I smiled at Leslie, the only one out of the 5 who I got along with, as I walked by to the rack of costumes. Frowning as I rifled through the selection, I chose a black bralette and a pair of leather short-shorts. I slipped on some red heels before making my way over to the vanity to do my hair and make-up. I left my auburn hair in its natural waves, applying red lipstick and mascara.

"Girls, we need you out on the floor." A burly man we called Seth told us through the closed door. One by one we filed out of the dressing room and went seperate ways- some to the bar and some to the door. I stood behind the bar and waited for the night to begin.

***

People had been coming in for about two hours now, and the need for drinks was never ending. I was kept constantly on my feet, running back and forth between the liqour shelf and the counter. Men made deraggatory remarks about my chest and back side, but I was used to it and didn't expect anything else from the scum that showed up at these types of places. But I was here wasn't I? What did that make me? 

"Hey, babe," a drunken voice called to me, pulling me from my thoughts. "How bout another round over here?" 

"Coming right up!" I began to fill several shot glasses full of tequila, mumbling to myself. 

"Check out the ass on that chick." I heard behind me. I spared a glance behind me only to see two men staring at me. I frowned slighlty, torn between saying something or just ignoring them. 

"Carmen," Seth tapped my should. "you've been requested to go on stage." 

"I have?" I was shocked. This had never happened. "Can I even do that? My dancing shift doesnt even start until twelve. Its only 11:40 now." 

"I'm sure one of the girls wouldn't mind taking over bartending for you." he shrugged. 

"O...kay." I gave the man his shots and took off my apron. Following Seth backstage I quickly wiped under my eyes, fixing my smudged mascara. 

"Just wait here till the songs over. You'll take over Melissas pole." Seth told me. 

I watched the other girls dance on their poles, their audience watching them intently and calling out praises. The lights caught the face of a stranger. He had a taut and defined jawline, his unusually tan skin pulled tightly over it. His lips were delectiably full and pink. His curly hair was pushed back, allowing his deep green eyes to burn holes into mine. I quickly looked away when I realized he was staring at me. 

The song that was playing ended, and I walked onto the stage. Melissa saw me approach her and smiled. 

"Seth told me to take over." 

She looked confused. "Am I doing a bad job?" her voice was full of worry, as she was new to the job. 

"Oh, no. Someone just requested I come on stage, and your shifts over in five minutes anyway." I explained. She visibly relaxed and her lips picked up in a smile once again. 

"Oh. Okay." she sauntered off stage, saying goodbye as she dissapeared. 

A couple silenced moments passed before T.I's "Blame It" began to play. I gripped my pole, working myself up and down it, a routine I had grown accoustomed to. I had never danced before in my life when I showed up at this club and they almost didnt take me. But Leslie offered to teach me and said I could work the bar until I learned. She taught me well and I became one of the best, the only reason I kept my bartending job was because it was extra pay.

When I danced, I would pick a spot in the distance to look at until the song was over. Leslie taught me that trick because she was in the same position as me and was just as uncomfortable with it as I was. I'd grown used to people seeing so much of me, but I'd never be used to some of the looks they gave. 

As we transitioned songs, my eyes caught the gaze of a strangers. He was the man from before, the one I had only seen briefly before the lights moved. I could see him more clearly now, and saw he was wearing a white shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His forearms looked powerful underneath his few black tattoos. He wore black skinny jeans over his long legs. His large hands were folded in his lap while he leaned back in his chair, observing my movements. I began to think he was the one who requested me on stage. I was so caught up in his stare, I hardly noticed the next song began to play. Looking away quickly, I resumed dance, but not before I saw him smirk. 

After the song ended, I looked for the man again but his seat was empty. I looked to the entrance and saw the back of his head before he dissapeared into the night, leaving me to my thoughts of who he was.

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Okay so I rewrote this, I hope you like it! Please give me some feedback and if you shared it, that would be really, really cool. Thanks for reading, I love you!