This Chapter has been tweaked and rewritten.

Chapter 1

Vacant Life

Chelsea

The lights dimmed, and the room was filled with applause. Along with laughter, screaming, moaning. I gave them exactly what they wanted for the first half of my act. I rolled my eyes at the drunk idiots who were throwing their crumbled up paper ball as me, phone numbers scribbled inside. "Ass holes." I muttered, turning my back to them and walking back stage.

"HEY BABY!" I heard men yelling, "HEY GET BACK OUT HERE!"

I ignored them as I collapsed into my make-up chair as I kicked off my heels. My feet hurt, my calves were tender, my lower back felt like it might snap in two, and my head is absolutely splitting from the stupid lights. I'm miserable, I wouldn't object to someone taking me out back and shooting me in the head like a sick dog. I hate it here, more than anyone could hate anything. Some people would love coming to work, getting all dolled up, having an amazing singing voice, and a killer body- but not me. I hate it.

I need to wear a dreadful amount of make up. I have so much caked on, that I feel like I'm latex. My make-up made my face look so smooth, unnaturally smooth. It also made me look plastic, with bright red blush high up my cheek bone, hot pink lipstick, very similar to a Barbie doll. And the worst are my eyes, I'm afraid to close them, in case they stick together because of the unnecessary amount of glue and glitter caked on my eyes lids. That shit never comes off; I swear that my eyes have been these colors since I walked into this place 4 years ago. As a matter of fact, all my make-up has been on my face permanently. I have even given up on washing it off before bed, what's the point? It's all going to be on again the next day. If it doesn't wash off in the shower, then it doesn't come off at all.

I carefully removed my green contacts to revel my naturally black eyes, Pitch black eyes- Except, for the tiny sparkle of super dark sapphire blue strands that work from my outer iris to my pupils. The blue is so dark, that no one would ever be able to tell. No one other than my mother has ever noticed they were actually blue. Only the people that would notice would have to pay awfully close attention and be extremely observant. My boss, Ronnie, she didn't notice the blue tint in them. The black freaks her out, that's why she makes me wear green contacts.

I flipped my head upside down and drenched it in hairspray, for my volume, curls, and bounce. My hair, I hate it more than my make-up. At least I could scrub the shit off of my face if I really had too. But my hair is just a giant mess of weaved curls. None of it is real. From what I remember, my natural hair is actually bone straight. But I can't remember what it looks like; I haven't seen a strand of real hair in 4 years. I don't even know how long it is. It's just braided under this hurricane, and it's never exposed.

I stood up, changing into next skimpy outfit. I glanced at myself in the mirror. I admit I have a fairly attractive body. I'm not super skinny, not am I chunky. I have curves where they are supposed to be, and muscle where it looks good. I do have a little bubble butt and a decent size 'rack' as Kai would call it. But it's nothing to brag about, really. They never got me the job, my voice did. I watched myself roll my eyes in the mirror. My stomach and legs were pretty fit and tight. But it's really too bad I have to get up and show it all off in the sleaziest ways… Why can't I be like any other girl and just wear shorts of something?

Sometimes I wonder why I won't leave this place to get a regular job. But then I remember, I dropped out of high school in 10th grade, after my mother died of cervical cancer. I wound up in this place a little while after, and Ronnie fell in love with my talent. I get super good pay here, mostly in tips. I can't see McDonalds competing with that.

"CHELSEA!" I heard the stage guy call, "YOU'RE ON AGAIN, HURRY UP!"

I sighed, and pulled myself out of my makeup area- probably flashing the world with my vag while I was at it. Tonight, I was some sort of 'sexy female pirate', so in other words, your typical slut. Calling me a Stripper would offend me, but I guess that's just the blunt was of putting it. I would prefer to be called an Entertainer with a large sex appeal. I guess, like a show girl? Yes. I guess that's the title I'll settle on.

Oh well. I stepped up to the stage, ready to perform. I try not to dwell on it too much on what I am, I'm making money. So I really don't care. I strutted up to my spot on the stage, and took my stance at the pole. Yes, like I said, a show girl. But I never strip completely naked, I'm not allowed too. I need to be 'Classy'. Of course, but I'm nothing but class- Just look at me, in this stupid pirate skirt and eye patch. It's ridiculous.

The curtains raised, I inhaled a deep breath and seized up my audience. 90% of them were piss drunk. The other 10% was just here mopping around, looking for anyone loaded enough to get home. I sighed to myself. What the hell am I doing with my life?

My music became to swell through my ears, on cue, I opened my mouth, and I roared my first note, letting my reflexes and dancing take over my body so naturally, I don't even think about it anymore.

The second part of my show has begun, for the 4th time this week. Please god, it's not too late to shoot me.

xxXxx

On my ways across the deserted parking lot to the club, I was walking across with my arm elbow deep in my purse trying to fish out my car keys. That's when I felt someone touch my shoulder "Hey Baby," whispered an attractive male voice.

"Kai!" I recognised the voice as I jumped around at him, "Kai, are you stupid? Don't you dare sneak up on girls at 2 in the morning! You might get a kick in the sack, if you're lucky."

He just chuckled. I smiled my snarky grin at him.

"You were great tonight." He complemented.

I nodded, "Yeah, like usual" I started humbly. I wasn't going to lie, the reason I'm still here is because I'm fucking good at what I do.

"Chelsea," he looked serious, "Come with me. We have to go somewhere important."

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked into his dark brown eyes. His perfect dark eyebrows furrowed a little, curiously. Whatever he wants to bring me, it must be important. Kai don't usually get serious, he has always been a clown for as long as I've known him.

I followed him to his car, his tattoo peaking behind his tight tank top. I have the exact same tattoo stamped onto my tail bone. It's my 'tramp stamp' and I regret the shit out of it. We were both pissed loaded drunk, and sick of having sex with each other, so we decided to go out and spice stuff up a little. Aka, going out and getting inked under the influence. I really wouldn't recommend it; When you wake up, you'll feel like cheap trailer trash.

Most people find it odd that Kai and I would go out to get matching tattoos. Those people don't understand. Kai and I go far back. Back when we were 14. He was my best friend, and he still is… only now with benefits. We both work at the club, he is a bartender, and I'm the star. We kind of stuck together throughout school, until we both dropped out after my mom died.

People think I'm a whore for 'benefiting' with Kai. But really, we are best friends. Actually, I'm not the only woman Kai sees during the week. Sleeping together for us is just more of, 'we are hanging out, and we are bored. We are so comfortable with each other so we have sex' type of deal. Nothing else too it, no romantic feelings attached. When it comes down to the nitty gritty, both Kai and I know that there is definitely no future for us together; So maybe the both of us accepting that is what is keeping our 'Friends with Benefits' thing strong. We are just both on the same page with it, it works.

I sighed, starring out the window and watching rain drops race down the glass. A craving kicked in, something else I'm not proud of. "Do you have any Smack?" I asked,

He nodded, pointing towards his glove department. I reached in and pulled out the container of liquid and a clean needle. Okay, I'm a user. Heroine user, it's not that I'm addicted. I use to be, but I had the sense to tone it down a little. I still like to have my shot or two- okay, three. But I don't do it often- only on weekends. And a scattered Wednesday- every Wednesday, just to get me through the rest of the week.

Fine, yes. I'm addicted to it. But I won't go insane if I can't have it, I'm not that fucked. If I can't get my fix, I'll eat chocolate and go to sleep or something. I've never robbed any banks or murdered anyone to get my hands on it yet. So I think I'm in the clear.

Besides, if I had to, I could quit tomorrow. I stuck the needle in my forearm, and injected the tar inside my veins. I could quit tomorrow, no trouble, just not tonight. I suddenly felt loose again, like the tension was taken off my shoulders. The street lights reminded me of strobe lights; I had to close my eyes because that reminded me of work. And I hate work. Everything is so much clearer when I'm on heroine. Life is more defined, and I can feel warmth in my heart that isn't there when I'm sober. It's the feeling I crave for most of the time.

We were driving for what felt like forever, "Kai?" I asked, "Where exactly are we going?"

Kai grinned, "I have a surprise. I am about to change your life around forever."

"I wouldn't mind something life changing right now." I mumbled, closing my eyes. When I think 'life changing' I think of the Blue Ocean, sand, and cocktails. I hear birds chirping, and I see mountains and row of green meadows. I don't think that's where Kai is bringing me; we are probably just going to go a sketchy whore house to pick up some more venom for our veins.

We finally pulled up to a giant glass building. I could feel myself coming down from the high, and honestly, I was half hoping that we were going to some kind of dealer because getting high was the only satisfaction I could get anymore. But, this place looked too fancy for anything like that.

I looked at Kai suspiciously. He just grinned, "Just wait for it" he muttered.

I flicked one leg out of the car, balancing my weight onto my giant strappy heels. I attempted to get out of the car without showing the whole world my pussy. That would be impossible with the type of shit I'm forced to wear, it's impossible to keep your privates to yourself. That defeats the whole purpose of being a stripper.

My heels click loudly on the granite floor. "Ugh," I groaned, feeling out of place in such a fancy smancy building. The floors were black, and the walls were silver mirrors. I could see my skeety appearance from every angle, this made me want to smash my head against the mirrors, and hopefully the glass would puncture my brain and kill me.

Kai didn't seem to mind, her had his chest puffed out like a tough guy. He isn't fooling anyone; he's a glorified hippies, peace and love.

He pressed the button to the elevator and we silently waited for it to open, we then stepped inside like two robots, and he pressed the button for Floor number 15. The ride felt forever, but I was occupied. The elevator was glass, and we could see all New York City. A lot of people would kill to see this right now, but I don't see the big hype. New York is sickening; it's only a giant surge of electricity. I'd imagine that it's not very good for our environment. Not that anyone cares about that anymore. I look like I wouldn't care, but I do. I reduce, re use, and recycle, and all that shit.

"Oh! Chelsea Davis!" an old flamboyant man swooped down and kissed my hand, I could tell he was gay from the way he had his bow tie match with his shoe design. "It's so fabulous to meet you! Finally!"

I pulled my hand away from him. "Personal space" I muttered, pulling my hand out of his grip. With my occupation, I try my best to avoid physical contact at all cost. After all, it is unprofessional to have old men swimming all over you. Plus, if you're too friendly, someone might slip you a 20 thinking they will get a blow job. That's a business I've never been a part of, my dignity it too high for that, whatever dignity I have left.

"Sorry," He cheerfully laughed, "Baby, I heard you sing every night since you started that job. I finally got our record deal to cut that boring Lanna. She was such a drag, she just couldn't take direction." He rolled his eyes, and pulled my up a chair to sit in. As I was sitting he continued, "You have talent, Baby. I can see you now. Your huge green eyes, and your signature giant curly chestnut hair. You could be huge you know. You can make millions, travel the world. Meet new people. Baby, this is everything a girl could ask for-"

I started ignoring him. That's right. I'm known for my huge GREEN eyes, and my GIANT CURLY hair. Too bad none of that is me. Too bad my eyes are pitch black, and my hair is bone straight. If I accept this record deal, I will be fake for te rest of my life. That would make me extremely unhappy. And no amount of money is worth my happiness.

I hate my hair, I hate my contacts. I hate my spray tans. I hate my shoes. I hate my corsets. I hate pole dancing. I hate wanting to get high. I hate this 'friends with benefits' thing with Kai. I'm sick of all the selfish people in this city. I'm sick of the sirens and the smog. I'm sick of that stupid club, with its stupid lights and drunken idiots.

I don't want this. If I keep heading down the path that I'm headed, I'll be a nobody. I pray every day that some 'unfortunate' event would take my life, I'm usually joking but I wouldn't care if something did happen. Is that a way to be living? If I take this job, I'll be used. I'll have more money to spend on drugs, and I'll be a burned out pop princess- like Lindsey Lohan.

"Chelsea? Baby? Will you take it? Will you take the record deal?" I snapped back into reality by the man who was practically begging me to be his new 'It Girl'. I shuttered at the name Baby What a piss off. It's my show name at the club. They don't go by first names. I'm Baby, because I got there was I was only 16. I know that's illegal. But I had what they were looking for. All they had to do was stick some padding down in certain areas, and no one would ever dream of questioning my age.

"Will you take it? You will be on billboards, magazines, TV shows, runways, everything you can imagine, it's everything you can dream of. It's what you love the most."

What I Love the most? I don't know what I love. These few years have been nothing but an unemotional roller coaster. I've been just living, but I haven't felt a live. It's why I resort to Heroine, which opens me up. I don't want to get high off drugs anymore; I want to be high on life. If I stay here, I'll burry myself in a deep dark hole that I'll never escape.

"I don't want your record deal" I sneered, "I want nothing of it. You can the record deal, and shove it right up you're as-"

"Chelsea!" I felt Kai's strong grip grab my shoulders and drag me out the door, he looked back to the nervous record producer, "Uh, one second dude" Kai Muttered, Then he turned to me and he growled, "What are you doing? We can use this opportunity to leave the club and travel the world. It's our dream. You can sing, you will be HUGE Baby, You will be famous, and have anything your heart desires."

I know what I want. Well, that's a lie. I don't know exactly what I want, but I do know that this isn't it. "No Kai," I shook my head, my curls flopping around my face, "I'm sorry, I don't want this." I exaggerated more, "Any of it."

He Huffed out his chest and furrowed his perfect eye brows, "Chelsea," he whined, "You're so talented. Don't waste it."

That's it. I can't take listening to anyone else anymore. I'm always following orders, but not anymore. I'm breaking away from my ties in the city and there is no stopping me.

I growled, "Listen here. I'm 20. I'm young and free. I'm not running away with you." I was losing my cool, maybe a joint would calm me down, "We have nothing together of value, other than memories and the tattoos." I poked him in the chest, "We're nothing but fuck buddies. We are best friends, you're like my brother. And I know more about you than I know about myself. I know that your dream is to travel the world. You can't use me to get that."

I sighed, "I don't want to travel. My dream is to find a comfortable place away from the bustle of the city- away from all the lights and TV's. I want to fall and love, and maybe shit out a few youngsters a long ways down the road."

I smirked a little, starting to dream too much. "I love singing, but I hate all these bullshit that comes along with it. I want to get rid of all these itchy costumes, and finally wash the make-up clean off my face. Although I may need a power washer to rip through it" I chuckled at that, and Kai did too. I continued, "I want a job that I love, something I will want to put my whole heart and dedication into. I want to wake up with a smile every morning, not a hangover. I want to make a difference somewhere, even if it's just a small difference."

I just don't want this, I only live once, and this isn't how I want to do it. I can't waste my life. I want something in my life that is worth fighting for, and I haven't found it yet. I'm leaving tonight.

Kai stepped forward, and he took my body in close to his for a hug. "I'm sorry, Chelsea. I didn't know you felt that way."

I hugged him back, taking in the scent of mint. Kai always smelt minty, it was cool and refreshing. He's so chill and relaxing, maybe that's why I like hanging out with him so much. Like I said before, we have quite the history together. And I'm going to miss him quite a bit when I leave this place.

"Kai, I'm leaving." I announced into his ear.

He nodded. "I figured." He said, "But I understand. But I'm going to miss you like crazy."

I hugged him tighter. Feeling somewhat guilty about leaving him behind like this, but I have to. There is no way he can come with me and start over. I need to leave his crazy life style of partying and sex. I need to quit it cold turkey. And I wish so bad that he would grow up too. "Can you promise me something?" I asked,

"Mhmm." He breathed in my ear.

"Promise me," I announced, "That you will leave the city too. And you will travel the world. Live your life" Kai rolled his eyes, but I continued, "Stop womanizing. Meet a beautiful girl, someone who is fun, cute, and bubbly. Just like you" he smiled, I added in, "Oh, and someone that is naïve enough to put up with all your bullshit." I smirked while he shook me playfully, like a rag doll.

He grinned, "I've always wanted to be a bartender on a cruise ship." I rolled my eyes at him. That's exactly what he is doing now- only he is on a boat. But it's an improvement. "Now you have to promise me something."

I tilted my head, what could he possibly want from me?

His face grew serious, "You're an amazing singer." I nodded, "But. I don't want you to sing again. You're trying to run away from this. Before you EVER consider singing again, make sure you've already found what you want. I don't want your gift to lead you down the wrong path. It could screw up everything for you."

I snickered, "Don't be ridiculous. No one could want my voice, not where I'm going anyway."

"Don't be so trusting, Chelsea." He warned, "I almost used you. And I love you. Imagine what someone who didn't care about you would do!"

I smiled, not because I was happy that people would use me, but because Kai cared. He was right. It's only for me to screw up, and then end up back on square one. I have to watch what I tell people about my past. I can't let anyone know who "Baby" is, that I was a stripper, that I am- well, staring now, was, dependent on Heroine, or that I have a voice worth a million dollars. These things would make others jump to conclusions about me, it would make be stick out like a sore thumb. All I want is to be average, to just blend in.

I pulled Kai in for a quick good bye kiss, then I twirled around like a ballerina in his arms, leaving him behind in the fancy room by himself.

"CHELSEA!" I stopped in my tracks, but never looked back to my best friend calling for me. "Where are you going anyway?" He questioned.

Good question. Where am I going? I want change, but where? I don't care. Just somewhere. "I don't know." I shrugged, "Wherever faith takes me."

xxXxx

Kai

The rain pounded against my windshield. There is defiantly a storm on the way, and I hope Chelsea finds her way to wherever it is 'faith is taking her'. I snickered, that girl is a character. She is a mystery. I could never truly understand the way her mind works, and I've known her for the past 5 years or so.

I swear, if anyone ever tried to figure her out, they would go insane.

She is saucy one second, than the next she is like some sort of wise old man. She HATES her job, yet she has done it for 4 years. She claims she wants love and romance, yet she spent most of the past 4 year's loaded drunk, rolling around in bed with me. She loves to sing, but she hates to perform. She hates her make-up, but she's afraid to take it off. She doesn't know who she is, and she is afraid that exposing her true skin will be a letdown.

I'm worried about her. I don't even think she knows what she wants, or where to even start looking. I don't even think she knows who she is; she really got to figure herself out. Or maybe, being weird is just who she is.

And what the hell am I doing with my life? The club is going to go bankrupt. She was the only reason people came, everyone came to watch that tiny, sex bomb with the booming voice. Man, Chelsea could sing. I can't deny it, no one can. She really could have made millions for sure.

I pulled up into the parking lot to my apartment. I pulled open the doors to be greeted by the typical plain boring apartment. One picture caught my attention, the only one I own. I picked it up and slouched on to my ripped up couch. It's the one that was taken of me and Chelsea last year, she was sat to a bar stool in her sexy red dress and heels, looking into her drink with a smile. She must have been laughing something I said. High as a kite probably, chasing dragons. I was standing behind her, casually looking down at her with a huge smile on my face. Man, we use to have awesome times together.

I looked around my apartment, and there is nothing. No decorations, no colors. The thing that adds character in my living room is a lime green bra slung over in the corner; I can't even remember who owns it. It isn't Chelsea's; her boobs are must smaller than that. Back to the bra, it's pathetic that I can't remember what set of tits that it came off. Do I really want to be a bartender for the rest of my life? Or bring home whatever hot drunk chick came on to me?

Chelsea is right, like always you only live once, and you have to do it right.

Review Question: Do you think Chelsea and Kai will cross path again?