I'm not a Pole Dancer. I am a Performer.

My Knight in Dirty Armour

I couldn't believe it. I was being escorted to the hospital by a bloke who I didn't even know, who had appeared out of nowhere after watching me forcing my dreadful act upon a crowd of horny men. I knew a bit of self defence but I would be no good with an ankle the size of a football. 

"You know what, let me call my dad. Just leave me here and I'll wait for him to come round" I spoke quickly. I wasn't very convincing. My dad would be the last person on Earth I would call up to a strip club, especially when I would have to confront him in my oh-so-revealing outfit. The stranger opened the passenger door of his small shitty car, and placed me inside. There was a strong smell of expensive perfume mixed with the fruity scents of his car air freshner. The stranger bent down, his arm resting on the door frame.

"Does your dad even know you work here?" He asked accusingly with a smug like grin on his face. I just wanted to punch it. Either that or kiss it. NO! Punch it. Yes, I hated this freaky weirdo, even if his cheekbones were to die for and his lips looked lush.

"Err....no. But I can call one my mates, and she'll, she will be here in a...in a t...tik." I replied weakly. All this business with my ankle and super shiny sequins had put me in a bit of a daze.

"I insist. You look like you're about to...."

***

Oh God. How pathetic am I? I was supposed to stay alert just incase that stranger had tried anything on me, but I go ahead and bloody pass out. I rubbed my eyes as I felt the stinging pain return to my ankle. 

"Hey sleepyhead"

Oh God. Don't look at him. It's him. He's still here. Pretend he's not there. Who knows what he could of done to me on the way here. Dirty bastard.

"They've bandaged your ankle..."

"I can see that you twat" I spat visciously. I needed a fag. I don't think they let you smoke in hospitals.

"Would you like me to leave?" He sounded hurt. Good. Dirty bastard. I didn't reply. Just ignore him and he'll go away.

"...Somone called Kyle is on their way up. Be careful now" and with those last gentle words he got up from his chair and walked out. I looked around the room. The last time I was in hospital was a few months ago for alcohol poisoning. Happy memories. Or just probably happy missing memories. 

SHOOT. KYLE! He had said Kyle was on his way up. This was then confirmed by Kyle appearing, his fists clenched at the end of my bed. I guess I had no chance of hiding now.

"Kyle, before you start yelling, please remember this is a hospital, so indoor voices-"

"How could you?! You completely ignored me and went to that seedy strip club behind my back!" Kyle cried, looking more hurt than totally pissed off. His hair was sticking up from where he had been probably running his hands through. I turned over on my side so I didn't have to look at the hurt in his eyes. My ankle swung around painfully. I yelped like a little puppy dog.

"Piss off Kyle. You're not my fucking dad. I mean it's not like I was cheating on you" I protested as tears started to roll down my face. I didn't know whether I was crying from sadness or anger.

"You lied to me. You looked me in the eye and told me you wouldn't go back to that club, and now look what's happened." He walked to the side of my bed and sat down so he could look right into me.

"You lie to me all the time, so what's the difference? You're being ridiculous" I mumbled, my anger rising. Who the hell does he think he is?

"Says the girl in a hospital with a kids outfit on and with a broken ankle. You're lucky they didn't ring your dad" Kyle reached out and placed my grubby hand in his. A wave of guilt washed over me. "I don't want us to fight. I want another chance to work things out" I pulled my hand from him.

"Work what out? You won't let me work in a pole dancing club because you're jealous and stupid and can't trust me. End of!" There was a whole 14 seconds of silence before one of the junior doctors came in and told me I could go. Que second awkward car ride of the night. I'm guessing the first one would of been awkward anyway if I had been awake. I stared silently out at the city lights and the party goers as we dragged along the noisy streets and roads. I hesitatingly put the radio on but quickly switched it off as P!nk's 'Please Don't Leave Me' came on. We both spoke at the same time after about 20 minutes of silence.

"Go ahead" I muttered quietly, staring at my one bare foot and one bandaged foot. I can't remeber what happened to my ridiculously high heels.

"Sam text me. He asked me if I could pick Bambi up for him from the club" Kyle mumbled as though he had asked him to break him out of jail. I cringed at the mention of the club. "What was you going to say?"

I hesitated. I knew I had to tell him. "Kyle, I have no job, no future and hardly any real friends. Only ones that call me up when they want booze and fags."

"Is this going anywhere?" Kyle cut in, his hands clenching on the wheel. We pulled up to some more red lights.

Deep breath. "I want to work at the club." I wanted to carry on speaking but I didn't. I couldn't believe what had just come out of my mouth, and by the looks of things, neither did Kyle. His knuckles turned paler as he grip tightened. "You don't understand. I know I fucked up on the first night, but with practise I could get good at this! Bambi says I'm a natural, and the rush I get when people cheer for me, it's better than drinking that strong drink, you know the one that made me go crazy..." Bollocks, I was babbling. I stopped quickly and stared at Kyle, hoping he would see how much I wanted to do this. Silence. "Kyle, say something"

"Do you remember when you used to call pole dancers and strippers slags and said you would rather become a nun than end up with a job like that?" Kyle laughed menancingly, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That was before. This is now. People change" 

"You're right, people do change. So what will it be? Pole dancing or me" Kyle asked, tears in his eyes. A knife went through my heart. 

"Kyle!?" 

"Well?"

"You can't do this. It isn't fair!" I protested angrily, tears streaming from my eyes. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was willing to give up years of our relationship just because he had trust issues. I wasn't going to dignify his question with an answer. Kyle sniffed as he wiped a tear from his face.

"Is that it then? Is that your answer?" Kyle sniffed as he eventually arrived at the parking lot at the back of the club. I hadn't even noticed we had arrived. 

"Kyle..."

"Forget it. It's over" And as Kyle pulled on the handbrake I knew that I had made my decision.