What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 49

I had just gotten to work when Robert came over to me with a strange girl by his side. "Harmony, this is Star, our newest dancer. Do me a favor and take her to the costume rack then show her to her pole." Robert smiled before leaving me with 'Star.' Obviously that's her stage name. At least I hope it is. She was a pretty girl with dirty blonde hair that came just below her shoulders, with bright blue eyes. Like I said, she's pretty. "Hi, I'm Aria." I extended my hand as a greeting. "Layla." She shook my hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you. I  have a private in five minutes so let me show you to the costume rack." I gestured for her to follow me. When we finally got to the costumes I asked, "so how old are you?" I only asked because she looked young. "I just turned twenty. What about you?" She asked as she dug through the outfits. "Nineteen." I said. "Is this your first dancing job?" She looked up from the costumes and asked. "No, I've danced before." I replied and checked the clock. Three minutes. "So what's your M.O?" I asked as she pulled random pieces of clothing from the rack. "I don't really have one. I just wear minimum clothing and dance. What's yours?" She asked while grabbing a sparkly thong. "Innocence." I stated. "Aahh. I bet the older men eat that up." She winked. "No. There is no eating anything." I giggled. One minute until I need to be in the room for my private dance. "Ok, so once you get your four outfits picked, you're going to walk down this little walkway and take the second to last stage entrance on the right. I have to go now. Good luck, it was nice to meet you." I smiled before turning and leaving for my first dance of the night.

I just got home. It's 4:15am. I have to be up at 6am. I walked over to my closet and grabbed a five hour energy from my hidden stash. I swallowed the whole bottle before quietly walking into the bathroom and taking a quick shower to get all the gunk off of me. And when I say gunk, I mean spilled alcohol, sweat, body glitter, and even cum. Yes, some poor old guy came in tonight and I was the lucky one who got to give him his private dance. Apparently he hadn't been touched in a while because he actually came in his pants. It was thoroughly disgusting. After I scrubbed myself clean, I quietly got dressed in a pair of black leggings, and a T-shirt that said 'sometimes I ask my boyfriend to get me ice cream, but then I remember he's a cat.' It made me miss my cat. I brushed my hair into a side braid and then went to my bedroom. I quietly shut the door behind me and was turning to sit in bed when I almost died of a heart attack. "Jesus Christ!" I whisper yelled. "What are you doing up?" I asked as I came face to face with Casey. "I could ask you the same thing." He whispered. We stared at each other for a few seconds before I replied. "I just...couldn't sleep." I lied. "Bullshit." He didn't break eye contact with me. "Aria, what are you doing?" He asked a little more gently this time. "I'm getting ready to lay down." I said as I tried to walk past him but he grabbed my arm and stopped me. "No, I mean why are you leaving every night in a cab, and returning just hours before our day starts? I'm not an idiot. What the hell is going on with you?" He demanded. "Nothing." I said as I forcefully pulled my arm from his grasp. "If you're in trouble maybe me or the other boys can help." He said. "No! You can't tell the guys. And you can't help me. Just drop it Casey." I sighed. "No. Not until you tell me what's going on. There's something going on, I know it. Ever since the show fucking started you've been sneaking off and not coming home! What's going on!" He almost yelled. "Shut up!" I hit him in the chest. "Aria, I just want to h—" "you can't help me. Nothing is going on Casey. Just forget it." I said, whispering again. "You know what? Fine. But when you need help don't come crying to me. I tried to get you to tell me but it's fine. It's your life. Try to get some sleep. I'm not gonna have you ruin this opportunity for us guys because all you want to do is stay out all night." He said before storming out of the room. I took a deep breath and sat down on my bed. Part of me wishes I could tell Casey about what's going on but the other part, the more dominant one, knows that I shouldn't. I took another deep breath and just sat in bed thinking about everything until my alarm eventually went off.

Soundcheck and wardrobe fitting went by seamlessly. This is, if you count Casey not looking or talking to me the entire day, as seamless. "I can't wait to see you guys perform!" Caden exclaimed as he plopped down on the bed in his motel room. I decided to come hang out with him for a few hours before I go to work. We are currently watching re-runs of Pawn Stars and eating chinese take out. Just like back home. "I know. I'm excited. I think it's gonna be our best performance yet." I smiled. Half way into the episode my phone went off.

N/A: Hey Aria, it's Layla, the new dancer at the club. Robert gave me your number. I was wondering, is there any way you could give me a ride to the club? We have the same schedule and I can give you gas money. Just let me know xx

Me: Hi Layla. I actually take a cab to work every night. I'm sorry :/

I pushed send and then saved her number in my phone.

Layla: Oh that's ok. Do you think we could share a cab? We can split the cost :)

Me: Yeah that's fine. I just need your address to give to the driver :) do you want to start tonight?

Layla: If we can that would be great. And my address is 324 Tomlinson boulevard x

Me: Alright, I'll see you tonight. I'll be there around 10:30pm :)

Layla: Ok. See you tonight gorgeous x

I put my phone down and returned my attention to the TV. "Casey knows." I blurted. "What?" Caden looked over at me, confused. "Casey. He's seen me leave almost every night. He confronted me last night after I got home." I admitted. Caden turned the TV off and sat up next to me. "What did he say? Did you tell him anything?" He asked. "Of course I didn't tell him. He just asked me what was going on and I told him to ignore it." I said. "You need to be more careful." Caden said. "No shit Sherlock. But there's not much I can do. They were bound to see me leave by now. I'm actually surprised I've made it this long. It's been over a month since I started working there." I stated. "I don't know what to say." He sighed. "Me either." I groaned and closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes I noticed it was already 9:50pm. "Shit!" I yelled and jumped off the bed and called the cab company. Twenty five minutes later and I was on my way to Layla's house. We pulled up outside her house a few minutes after 10:30pm. My phone suddenly went off.

Casey: At it again I see. Have fun. We'll be here getting sleep preparing for tomorrow.

I sighed and clicked my phone off. There is no point in replying. Just then, Layla got in the backseat next to me and we made our way to work together.

SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT AND ANY MISSPELLED WORDS. I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO PROOF READ! I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT! AS PROMISED, THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE CASEY IN THIS CHAPTER :) I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT HOLIDAY <3