"Coco you have five minutes until you perform." The "stage manager" Monica yelled at me from a few feet away.
"Yeah, okay okay I'm almost ready. I'll be up in three." I yelled back shooing her away with my hand. I was just putting the finishing touches on my makeup. It was my first night at Gem City and I wanted to do well but I couldn't do that being yelled at.
It's been seven weeks since my procedure and the bleeding stopped about a week ago. Even though I wasn't in anymore physical pain, I still haven't been able to shake the humiliation both ordeals had brought upon me. I still couldn't escape from beneath this cloud he'd created that loomed over me. I had to find something that can at least give me a distraction from my constant mental terror.
A couple of days ago I was walking through town and noticed a sign outside of one of the few nightspots we had in town. I initially thought I wasn't good enough to get the gig but when the club owner called and asked me to come down tonight I figured it was the perfect distraction. Plus I wouldn't be here long seeing as though I had to go the academy soon anyways. Twice a year for five months, the academy was running in full force. Everyone that had turned twenty one goes to the academy to train, there's a January class and a June class so your class depends on your birthday. It is at this age that our wolves are released so we are able to train with the proper strength, stamina, and speed. Hence why I couldn't adequately protect myself that night. However, it is my luck that I turn of age in just a week. Which is two weeks before the academy starts. That means I get about two weeks of adult freedom before committing to the academy and eventually my mate. Maybe then I'll feel reborn and be able to break free of these shackles, be a new Amarielle. Maybe my mate will be the person that shows me what genuine love is.. or maybe not. Maybe my life is exactly what it's supposed to be, just like the other women here.
I grabbed my face mask off of the counter, staring a it a little bit longer than I should've before wrapping the fabric around my face and tying it at the ends. I decided to go with an Indian belly dancer themed costume. With my face covered I could create whatever persona I choose and I don't have to face the stripper stigma when out in public. I looked in the mirror once more and took a deep breath. Once everything was intact I headed up the unnecessarily long flight of stairs to the backstage area. A "stage hand" named Paul had a shot waiting for me at the top. I eyed the drinking carefully before grabbing it.
"There's nothing in here right? You know, besides alcohol?" I asked loudly trying to speak over the blaring music coming from the speakers.
He chuckled, "Everything is all good baby, we don't get down like that here. You don't have to take it though. I just know it's your first night and thought you might've wanted to loosen up a little." He spoke back loudly. I examined his features closely. He was a very handsome and built man. I wonder why he works here and not in someone's office building or better yet in the field.
"You know I'm not supposed to drink yet?" I said eyeing him inquisitively.
"Who's going to tell?" he asked me as he winked. "I mean unless you're scared.. I can just take it back if you want." He continued reaching for the the glass.
"I don't drink and tell." I responded pushing his hand away and then lifted my mask. The liquor smelled repulsive but I knew I need it. After contemplating for a second I finally placed the glass to my mouth and downed the shot. This wold only be my second time having a drink.It felt like acid going down my throat, I shook my head a little trying to combat the burn of the liquid. Once I collected myself I pushed the glass back towards Paul.
It was then that I heard, "Gentlemen and ladies, the next beauty were bringing out is new to the city. So I want everyone to make sure you're extra sweet to our new gem Coco!" the DJ yelled followed by an eruption of applause.
I stepped toward the curtain but I couldn't go out before I said something to Paul.
"Hey Paul?" I called out looking back at him.
"Yeah?" he answered back looking slightly confused.
"Please don't call me baby." I said and turned around to walk out on stage.
Tonight I wanted to take things slow so I chose the song Dance for You by Beyonce. I know I have on a belly dancing costume but as I previously stated, I can create whatever persona I want. I started out by slowly sashaying to the pole honestly trying to get a good feel of the room. I had already made it the the pole and I could still feel the nerves on me . I tried to focus on the music as swayed my hips to the beats. I was trying to escape, I had gotten better at it especially with liquid encouragement. I moved hips in small circles as I began to untie my wrap skirt that would reveal my underwear. I threw my skirt into the audience and people began to applaud.
"Tonight I'm going to dance for you.." Beyonce sang.
I was letting go. I focused my attention to the pole. I first used my legs to gracefully go around it. As I did this I noticed a male sitting close to the back of the club. His presence was so alluring even from far away. I couldn't make out his features but his eyes owned mine. Usually eye contact makes me kind of nervous and jittery but this was different. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the alcohol and loud music but there was calmness in his eyes. It was like of all the men watching me dance, I could feel his gaze on me. I couldn't look away. He leaned forward a bit placing a hand on his chin and it was at that moment that I felt a rush come over my body. It was safe to say the alcohol had finally gotten to me and my moves were coming out more graceful and sensual than I originally intended for them to be. He studied my every move and I could feel it. I wanted to him to know that I was dancing for him and I had no idea why. I finally looked away, realizing eye contact is a little intense for me.
"A woman in the street but a freak in the you know what.."
The music seemed to sooth me as I began climbing the pole. By the time the chorus came around I had done a few spins and ended up in a split at the bottom of the pole. I threw my head back slowly allowing my body to follow in a smooth roll and used my hands to caress my skin as I came out of the split. It was then that I locked eyes with this mystery man for a short moment. I began some floor work, I used my hands and legs to tell the story..whatever the hell the story was. I allowed my body to do it's own thing. I had allowed the music to consume me. Popping up on my toes, I rolled my body back up and slung my hair as the song came to an end. Whatever high I was feeling had finally came down and I was now standing on stage with these hundreds of eyes on me. There was money all over the dance floor and people clapping for me, a couple men holding out money for me to grab. I glanced back over to where the man was sitting during my show but he wasn't there anymore. I began to collect the money as quickly as I could and hurried offstage.
"You did amazing Coco!" Paul said to me backstage as he handed me a bag and a towel. I noticed he knew exactly what to having waiting for us dancers, he must've worked here a while.
"Thank you Paul." I responded still trying to catch my breath. I felt okay but I didn't feel invincible anymore, I just felt like me and me just wanted to go home and shower. I headed down the stairs to locker room to count my money and gather my belongings.
"Hey Coco, Max asked if you wanted to work the floor tonight." Monica asked poking her head into the locker room. That means giving private table dances. I quite frankly was not up for it and simply shook my head no as I handed her my tip out. I had to walk home so I pulled out a sweatsuit from my bag that I had packed. Tonight was actually okay I guess. I hope mystery man comes back sometime to be my distraction. I'm not sure what it is but there's comfort in his eyes. All I know is if I can continue to find my escape like I did tonight, then maybe a month of this wouldn't be so bad.
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Hey guess so I'm trying to bring the werewolf thing in slowly. Writing a book is a lot harder than I thought. I just hope that by the end of this somebody likes it.
~XOCoco
