What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 41

The boys and I had just got done performing and we're now backstage. We were a little bummed at the comments we got, especially from Cheryl. She said that we don't cause enough hysteria from the crowd. We'll just have to come back next week and prove her wrong. When we got back to the house around 10:20pm, I took a quick shower and grabbed my things for work. All the other contestants were still awake as well as the boys. I knew they would eventually come looking for me so I wrote them a note that said: 'Went out for some air. Be back later.' It was vague, but It was better than nothing. I set it on my bed and quickly slipped out of the house to begin my walk to work. It was only a twenty minute walk and I did actually need the fresh air. When I got to work at 10:45pm, I noticed there was a flyer on the door. It was advertising 'College Night' every Saturday starting next week. I walked inside, went backstage, got in my sexy school uniform, then did my hair and make up. When I was done getting ready I made my way to my pole and almost had a heart attack. Just ten feet away, sitting in a chair in front of the pole next to me was Dermot, the host of The X Factor. Fuck. If he sees me I could be disqualified from the show. The only thing I can do is pray he doesn't look over here. The first twenty minutes went by fine until the men he was with seen me and decided to come watch me. Dermot was now five feet away, staring directly at me. At first he didn't recognize me but then I seen him figure it out. He stopped watching me dance and looked at the floor. He looked embarrassed. Yes, because a forty year old man going to a strip club is more embarrassing than actually being a stripper. "Dermot? You ok mate?" I heard one of the guys ask him. He nodded his head yes, but he still wouldn't look at me. This is so awkward. I genuinely liked Dermot and now that he knows I'm a stripper, and he's actually seen me dance, I don't know what our relationship will be like. He probably won't talk to me anymore. I continued dancing and shaking my body in front of the men. "She's a young one. Barely looks legal." The same guy who asked Dermot if he was ok, said. "Hello gentlemen. I see you've met Harmony. She's our newest dancer." Robert, the owner, came up to the men and shook their hands. He looked at Dermot and pulled him into a quick hug. "There's my little brother. What took you so long to get up here?" Robert asked. Holy shit. Robert, my boss, is Dermot's older brother. "Been busy with the show." Dermot answered. "Well you're here now, so what do you think about my little Harmony?" Robert looked up at me and smiled proudly. Dermot cleared his throat and said, "she looks awfully young. I didn't know you allowed such young girls to become dancers." He glanced up at me then looked back to Robert. "Yeah well, she has experience and she gives off a vibe of innocence and youth. The older guys love her." Robert replied. Dermot looked at me when Robert said I had experience and the look in his eyes was something that I hadn't missed. Pity. "Chill baby brother. She's legal. You know what? I know exactly what you need. Harmony get down here." Robert motioned for me to come to him. I did as I was told and avoided all eye contact with Dermot. "I want you to take my brother here, and show him a good time. The private rooms are all open. Take him back there and work your magic." Robert ordered. "Oh no, that's not necessary." Dermot protested. "Nonsense. It's on the house. Go. Have fun." Robert winked at us as I led Dermot to one of the private rooms. When we were shielded from everyone's sight Dermot looked at me and shook his head. "Aria, what are you doing? You know that having a job is against the rules of the show." He put his hands on his hips and stared at me. "You don't understand. I can't afford not to work. I need the money." I said, folding my arms over my chest to try and cover myself. "I'm not like the other contestants. I don't have family here who can take care of everything. I'm alone, and I have things back home that I have to take care of." I added. "Then why are you here?" He asked, referring to the competition. "It's complicated. Please, Dermot, this is my only chance. Don't report me. Nobody else has to know. Please." I begged. He took a deep breath and began pacing the room. "Aria, if anybody found out that I knew about this and I didn't report you, I could lose my job." He argued. "Nobody else will find out! Please!" I walked up to him and grabbed his arm so he would stop pacing. He sighed. "Fine." He said after a few seconds of thinking. I released the breath I didn't know I was holding, and let go of his arm. "Thank you." I said. He nodded his head then left the room.

I got out of work at 4:15am and took a cab to the nearest party store. I went inside and bought 3 Monsters, 2 Rockstars, and four 5 hour energies. I got home fifteen minutes later and went upstairs to change my clothes. Instead of going to bed, I drank a 5 hour energy and went to the game room to use the computer. I ended up checking my Facebook and noticed that I had a million notifications and friend requests, and three messages. "I should create a page for my fans." I whispered to myself. After I got done clearing my notifications and friend requests, I checked my messages. The first one was from Caden. It was sent the day after I left for the UK. He wanted to know where I was. I went to the next message. This one was from my friend Michaela. Or should I say ex-friend. I don't even know. It said: 'Aria, I know we're not friends anymore but Caden is worried about you. Let him know where you are. I'm worried too.' This was sent four days after I left. I closed it and opened the next one. It was from Jason. 'Hey sexy. I miss you. I heard you left? When you come back give me a call. I miss watching you dance for me. Especially when it's just the two of us ;) Call me.' Ugh. I can't believe I dated him. I logged out of my Facebook and opened YouTube. I spent the rest of my time watching One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer videos until it was time to get ready for the day. I turned the computer off and went upstairs. I jumped in the shower and when I came out, the boys were awake and getting ready. This 5 hour energy is magic. I'm so ready for the day it's ridiculous. I walked to my room in my towel and grabbed a pair of skinny jeans, my Daryl Dixon t-shirt, and my knee high black boots from my closet. I got dressed then put my hair in a casual side braid and went downstairs to grab a banana for breakfast. When I went back upstairs, everyone except Casey and Chris was ready. We all huddled into James' bedroom and waited. Once the others were ready, we met Yvie downstairs to go over our elimination song. We decided to stick with the one we chose last week which was I'll Stand By You. We went over it a few times to refresh our brains, then went to the studio for our final dress rehearsal. After everything was done, we went back to the house to wait.

"And the last act through based on the public votes is...Lola." Dermot just announced the last of the safe contestants and we weren't one of them. We have to sing for survival against Chloe. "That means Stereo Kicks will be going up against Chloe in tonights sing off. Cheryl, please introduce your act." Dermot said, and the boys and I made our way back stage to wait. "Ok guys, there's no time to be down about this. We just need to go out there and do our best. We got this." Tom looked at all of us and gave us an encouraging nod. All too soon, the double doors were opening and the boys and I were stepping on stage. The music started and we performed the best we could. In the end, it was enough because the judges decided to save us. Thank god. The boys and I said our goodbyes to Chloe then left the stage. Half an hour later and the boys and I were back home. It was already 10:30pm. I ran upstairs, grabbed my make-up and a Monster, then ran out the door when nobody was looking. I got to work ten minutes before I had to be on stage. I quickly got dressed, put a little bit of make-up on and made my way to my pole. I took a deep breath before I left the dressing room, then went to work.

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