What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 62

Work was uneventful. Layla and I are getting closer and closer. I really like talking to her because she knows what I'm going through and she doesn't judge. She actually plans on coming to one of our shows, but I think that's to see Casey more than anything. Still, it would be nice to have a friend in the audience.

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Thursday happened like any other day. It's the last 'normal' day we have before the crazy weekend starts. Vocals at 10am, choreography at 1pm, home by 3:15pm. When we got home, we all shuffled into Casey's room and just chilled for a bit. I couldn't help replaying in my head what Layla said the other night. Are the boys really ok with my job? I don't know. "Guys?" I broke the silence and everyone looked at me. "Are you ok with me being...you know, a stripper?" I looked around at all their faces. "Why do you ask?" Jake asked. "Well I was talking with Lay--" I quickly corrected myself. "One of my co-workers the other night, and she said that once her friends found out, they acted fine with it, but then they started to distance themselves and after a while they just weren't friends anymore." I said sheepishly. "Yes, but you have a good reason to be doing what you're doing. Really, I'm more worried about Caden." Tom said. "Me too. Believe me." I sighed. "Aria, none of us have a problem with it. We understand why you're doing it, we just don't like the situation, that's all." Chris surprisingly spoke up. "The situation?" I asked. "You not having a choice. If you could quit right now, would you?" Tom questioned me. "Of course I would." I didn't understand why that mattered. "Right. But you can't, because you need the money. You don't have a choice. And that's what we hate, not the fact that you strip." Tom assured me. "Thank you." I smiled and then I became the center of a huge group hug. "We love you Aria." Charlie smiled from the group. "I love you guys too." I smiled and pinched his cheeks playfully, like that annoying aunt who, no matter how old you get, always pinches your cheeks when she sees you. "Ok, well now that that's covered, I need your help." I said to all of them. "I have to work Saturday night. If I call in again, I'll get fired. But I also can't miss the party. If I'm not there, people will ask questions." I seen the looks of concern on their faces. "But you're his best dancer, he won't really fire you will he?" Jake asked. "Yes, he will. It would be a dumb idea, but he's not the brightest." I stated. "Can't someone else cover your shift? Do things work like that at strip clubs?" Charlie asked. "Mmm, I don't think so, but I can ask." I said as I pulled out my phone and dialed Layla's number. "Hello?" She answered. "Hey. I have a question." I was careful not to say her name. "Yes?" She asked. "What's your schedule like on Saturday?" I asked. "Oh, I have Saturday off." I could hear the smile in her voice. "Can you do me a huge favor? Like, a life saving favor?" I asked. "Depends. What do you need?" She asked. "Can you cover my shift for me? There's a stupid X Factor house party and if I'm not there then I don't know what will happen." I begged. "Sure." She said. "But how are we going to convince Robert that I'm you?" She added. "If he notices it's me and not you, he'll flip out." She was right, we don't look alike. "A wig." I thought outloud. "A wig?" She asked. "Yes, that's it. We can buy you a wig, one that looks like my hair, and then he won't notice. He doesn't ever get close enough to see my face. Usually. Just as long as you look like me from a distance everything will be fine." I assured. "Ok. But I get to keep the tips." She negotiated. "Of course." I wasn't going to make her work for me and then take all the money. "I'll see you tonight though right?" She asked. "Yup. I'll be at your house by ten thirty." I smiled, feeling a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. "Alright. I'll see you later then. Bye." She said, then hung up. I let out a huge sigh of relief once I was off the phone. "Well, we have a plan, I just hope it works." I said as I ran a hand through my hair nervously. "I'm sure it will be fine." James smiled reassuringly and grabbed my hand. "Yeah, that's sweet and everything, but you two know that you're still under scrutiny right? We all are. You can't be seen making googly eyes at each other or anything like that. You'll be cut from the competition if they figure out you're together." Tom said, looking from us, to our interlocked hands. "He's right." I let go of James's hand. "We need to be more careful from now on. If anyone finds out we're still together, especially after we were told to end it, we'll definitely be thrown out." I said to James. He didn't say anything because he knew I was right. We continued to relax until I, of course, had to go to work.

SHORT, BORING, AND UNEDITED. SORRY, BUT NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE BETTER! :D VOTE AND COMMENT ♡