Ink (being edited)

Chapter 10: He's Here

^^THE SONG CANDII AND HIBISCUS USE IS UP HERE^^

ETHAN

"You guys said I only have to stay for this Glittery Gumdrop girl right? Then I can go back to the hotel?"

"You wont want to go home after you see her perform." Travis insisted. 

I rolled my eyes as we walked into the large convention hall. The lobby was dark, only lit by black light and lazers. Everywhere I looked, I  could see women in barely there costumes and sky high platforms. Normally I would be excited to be here, but now I just wanted to gag. It didnt feel right.

"When does she even go on?" I asked, fidgeting with my fingers.

"You are really trying to go home aren't you?" Ralph chuckled, "That girl back home really does have you under lock and key."

"So what if she does? Are you mad because you dont have one?" I retorted. 

A loud ripple of laughter erupted from all of us as we turned to corner. The stage was set up with multiple poles  and many girls were up there stretching and spinning.

"She's set to go on in a couple minutes, ok? Shes going up against a Hawaiian native." Travis slapped my back, "After we watch them battle it out, you and Nate can go back to the hotel."

I nodded and took my seat. The horde of girls walking around the floor seemed to disappear. I didn't notice them leave to go backstage.

"HELLO HAWAII AND WELCOME TO STRIP CON!" A loud voice over the intercom announced, "OUR FIRST BATTLE IN THE BRACKET IS THE ONE IM SURE YOU ALL CAME OUT TO SEE. CANDI SWIRL VS HIBISCUS!"

The crowd of people in the audience cheered as the lights went down and the stage lit up. 

Let's get this over with.

***

SAGE

"This convention is kinda like a battle royale. There's a bracket, and the last two strip teams compete for the money." Jazz explained. 

I adjusted the strap on my platform heel and looked at myself in the mirror. I decided to go with a gummy bear theme for my preformance tonight. I was wearing a bright green pair of shorts, a strapless bra and sheer crop top with gummy bear print. My knee pads were fuschia and my heels were coral in the black light.

Adjusting the mask on my face I turned to Jazz.

"Who am I going up against?"

"A girl who goes by the name 'Hibiscus'. The natives love her, so you might have to show out a little bit."

"HELLO HAWAII AND WELCOME TO STRIP CON!" I heard the announcer over the intercom.

"That's your cue. Blow her out of the water." Jazz smiled at me as I strode out on stage. 

Lets get this over with.

***

ETHAN

The two girls strode out on stage and I could easily tell who was who. The first one, who I assumed was Candii, was wearing more than Hibiscus. Seeing Candii was unerving because she had an uncanny resemblance to Sage. Even Nathaniel noticed it.

"Is that Sage, or am I just crazy?" He whispered to me as they took their places.

"It cant be her. She said she was going to Wisconsin to visit family. And she never said anything to me about a stripping history."

"She's not entitled to tell you everything." Nate gave me a pointed look. 

The music started and the girls held onto their respective poles. Candii moved first. She was graceful and calculated, like she had more experience. Even with a mask on, her facial expressions made me fidgety. She was good. Much better than Hibiscus.

The beat of the song dropped and Candii ripped off her mask. The hair she had up in a bun was ripped from its secure place and cascaded around her shoulders, a bright blue in the black light.

She spun around the pole and we locked eyes.

Sage.

I knew she recognized me, because her eyes widened, but she continued her performance like nothing happened.

Every dip of her hips and flutter of her eyes now did something to me. She moved with such precision and care, like she wanted me to see her and feel it in my groin.

My hands gripped the seat until my knuckles were white. I couldn't contain myself at all. The hardness in my pants was becoming unbearable and she knew it. I could see it in her eyes. She was enjoying herself.

"It is her isn't it?" Nate asked and I could only nod with a clenched jaw.

One last beat of the song and the performance was over. Sage collected herself and sashayed off the stage, hips swinging with every step. I had so many questions , but I couldn't articulate them. Words refused to form as I gazed at her retreating form.

***

SAGE

He's here. He's in Hawaii and he just saw Candii Swirl perform. My whole relationship with him is over, if there was even one to begin with.

God, how could i be so stupid.

"Sage? What happened out there? You killed it and beat Hibiscus , why are you so upset?" Jazz asked.

"He's here. Ethan. He's here in Hawaii and he just saw me, ok?"

"How is he here? Why- who? You're kidding me."

"No I'm not. He's proabably coming backstage to see me right now."

"You're right about that one." A deep voice cut into our conversation. I looked up to see the one person I was avoiding my entire time here.

"Sage, we need to talk."

WELP. Sis wasn't as slick as she thought, and she got found out. How do you think her mans will react? You think their relationship is gonna go any further than what they have or die altogther? I cant say, but you'll find out eventually.  I know this chapter is a little short, but some things are gonna go down and I need to get my shit together. PLUS I think I love Sage's outfit in this chapter so much I might attempt to draw it and post it! Thanks so much for reading, and have an awesome day!