A Second Chance

chapter one.

The music was shaking my eardrum when I entered the club. The only sound that I've been hearing for the past four years was the arguments of lady inmates in the cells next to mine. They're either arguing about some menstrual pads or some crap. I can finally go to a club but I cannot drink. My probation officer said that I can't drink for another six months. The club was cold, a huge turbine was blowing air violently. It was oddly shaped like a pentagon. The people on the dance floor didn't seem to mind. Perhaps, they were too drunk to care. I wasn't sure what I was doing there. I felt like a lost dragonfly who needs to renew its wings. I suddenly don't know how to live life anymore when I've always imagined how it's going to be when I get out of prison for years. A freezing breeze made my arm hair go up, so I wandered around to find a place to stay that feels at least like a lukewarm bath.

Not long after I sat on a couch near the bar, someone hooted behind me. I wasn't mindful of my surroundings so that made me jump a little bit.

"Hey." A blonde girl said as I looked at me.

"Hi," I said in a flirty tone.

The blonde stood up with a martini in her hand and sat next to me.

"I'm Allie." She tried to say loudly because of the loud, banging music.

I leaned in near her ear and whispered "Bea." with a smile and faced her, "Nice to meet you." She took a sip of her drink and slowly put it down on the table. I couldn't stop staring at her bright blue eyes, it was like she was hypnotizing me. It was like she was trying to take my soul.

"Why are you here alone?" Allie asked.

I gulped, I wasn't sure if I should tell her that I just came out of prison. Why would it matter if I did say it anyway? "I'm really not used to clubs, I usually just take care of my daughter."

"You look too nervous... don't be." She put her hand on my shoulder, "What's her name?"

"Her name's Debbie. She's eighteen." I said.

"I bet she's lovely, eh? Like her mum." Allie smiled as I blushed.

I didn't know what to say or do after that. It was the best time to have a drink because I was nervous but I couldn't. She was staring at me like she wanted to know me. I have never felt so frozen before in my whole entire life. I couldn't help but just stare at her too.

"Thanks. So what do you do, Allie?"

"I work as a stripper, actually," Allie said, looking worried what I might think. "Pretty good. No touch, just dance... good money. What about you, Bea?" She added.

"I have nothing against that." I smiled at her. "I do hair."

"I wish I was hair," She whispered. I pretended I didn't hear what she said as I blushed, "Pardon?"

"Nothing, Red. Wanna dance?" She offered her hand.

I nodded with a smile. Throughout the night, we were inseparable. Allie's hips swayed when "We're All Scared" by Tara Simmons started playing. I put my head on her shoulders. For the first time in my life, I felt safe. I wasn't scared of anything. I was comfortable. She made me remember that I could still find the meaning of my life. I've never felt that before, all I knew was to be the best mother to Debbie. My husband, Harry, made me forget that I needed to live. I'm not glad he's dead but I'm truly glad that he's not in my life anymore.

I lifted my head up and looked at the blonde's shining blue eyes, noticing that she was already looking at me with an adoring smile. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Sorry, I just think you're really beautiful," Allie cupped my cheek as I blushed still looking at her eyes.

"T-thanks," I stuttered. "I gotta get home before my curfew."

"Curfew?"

"I'm on probation." The smile on my face faded.

"Can I take you home?" She asked.

"It doesn't bother you?"

"What? That you just came out of prison? Not at all."

"Okay." I smiled.

Allie grabbed her small purse and walked first on the way out. I didn't know what I'm letting to happen but the fact that she doesn't care about me being in prison and the reason why I was in there surprised me in such a big way. If it wasn't her, they'd be running by the first second I said "probation".

The car stopped in front of my apartment.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and looked at Allie, "Thanks, I had a lovely time." I opened the door and stepped out until she lightly grabbed my wrist making me look back at her. She looked like a puppy that wanted to be noticed, her blue eyes shined like diamonds. "Am I gonna see you again?" She asked as a wide smile grew on my face. I sat back down and looked at her, "Yeah," I held her hand. "Definitely."

The next day...

Allie's POV

The shrieking alarm made my whole body jumped, opening my eyes to the bright jet black ceiling of my apartment. I sat up, stretched and stared at the window to admire the sunlight. I was feeling a little hungover from the martinis I drank last night. I didn't mind, I was used to it. I always have to be drunk to deal with the disgusting men that go to the strip club every damn night trying to touch me when there's specifically a sign outside that says "NO TOUCHING." Anyway, last night was all new to me, surprisingly. I can't wait to see her again.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand to see if I got any texts.

Bea Smith: "Brekkie?"
...
Allie Novak: "I'd love to. I'll be on my way."