It was that time again; the same time she always wished her life was different. She was in her dressing room getting ready for the show, the whole room was buzzing because of the loud music. It was a full house tonight as usual. Friday always brought in the bigger crowds with it being the start of the weekend. She faintly heard a bang on the door which was the signal; she was on stage in 10. With a sigh she raised her head and looked in the full length mirror and fought back the tears that threatened to fall. This was her life now and it had been for the past three years but it still didn't make it any easier.
Everyone had always expected her to excel in life from the minute they met her and she couldn't blame them she used to talk a good talk. Out of everyone in her high school she was the one that was going places but ever since that day she was the one that got left behind. No one knew this though, that was her main goal to make sure that anyone who had ever known her had no idea.
She was almost ready she just had a few essential things to do before she went on stage, essential things that got her through this night after night. The vodka didn't burn anymore she could drink it straight without a single flinch. The two glasses on her table were empty within seconds as she downed them. She looked at the final item that makes her night go easy, the white powder was cut up perfectly just waiting for her. One sniff and she would no longer feel the shame and heartache she was accustomed too. She took the rolled up note, sniffed, tilted her head back and smiled, this is her, and this is her life now. Rachel Berry has become a star but not like everyone expected, she was a star, the star of a strip show.
"Everyone welcome to the stage Star"
The coke had kicked in immediately and that's what she loved and hated about it. She loved how it helped her to get through the night and she even loved the feeling however she hated that this is what she had become. The lights were blinding and that's what she liked she didn't want to be seeing the sleazy faces of the customers. Her body took over automatically swaying to the music, she closed her eyes and just let her body take over. Her set normally lasted between 20-30 minutes depending on how good her buzz was. She could hear her final song playing and smiled knowing she would be finished this part of her night. The crowd applauded her and were very generous with the dollar bills with a final wave she exited the stage.
"Star, wait up" a voice called.
She turned round with her best fake smile; he was the boss after all.
"I need you to go back out there in 30 minutes, forget about your privates the new girl hasn't turned in again" Jeff her boss was a middle aged man that ran this classy establishment. He scouted Rachel out when she came here one night asking to bartend.
She knew she couldn't refuse; after all she would make a lot more than her privates. She nodded and made her way back to her dressing room to prepare for round 2. She never got nervous anymore the drugs helped with that but tonight she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach. The same feeling she used to get when something big was going to happen.
"Thank you" she heard as she shut her door and made her way to the couch, opening the vodka and wishing the next few hours away.
Three girls entered the club laughing and swaying already clear they were intoxicated. The VIP booth was booked for them as they were celebrating a birthday. The booth was equipped with more alcohol which made the girls scream with excitement and sit down.
"Its my birthday, bitches" a Latina shouted.
"To Santana, the biggest perv around" one of the blondes toasted.
"That may be true Q but don't pretend you're not going to enjoy this as much as me" Santana retaliated with a wink.
Quinn blushed and just shrugged while clinking her shot glass with the girls and downing it in one. The three girls had been best friends ever since they could remember, finishing high school together and even moving to the same city attending colleges that were near each other. It was Santana's birthday and they had all come home to celebrate it with her family. This was a girl's night and Santana wanted to do something she would enjoy, alcohol and half naked woman dancing around for her pleasure.
"I hope the next acts hot" the other blonde Brittany stated.
Santana hit her arm playfully and scowled at her, they had been together now for three years but she still got jealous even though she knew Brittany would never cheat on her. Brittany leaned forward placing a soft kiss on her girlfriend's lips causing the scowl to disappear. Quinn watched her friends lovingly and smiled at how far they had come. They had gone through the journey together just like they always did, they were the unholy trinity.
"So Q you feeling this place yet?" Santana questioned.
"Well I don't know if it's the alcohol but I'm excited to see what's next "
"Oh come on don't act as if you don't like the ladies"
"Yeah Q, we definitely know you like them" Brittany laughed.
Everyone was surprised with Quinn's journey as well as her two best friends. In high school she was very uptight and reserved in certain ways but finally when she graduated her became the person she wanted to be. She had a great job and most importantly her two best friends to help her through everything.
Meanwhile Rachel was sitting in her dressing room applying the finishing touches to her make-up and wardrobe change. She changed into a black bra which sparkles every time the spotlight hits it, her pants matched and she had stilettos on to finish of the full outfit. The bang on the door came for the second time that night and she repeated everything she did an hour ago. Vodka, coke, smile and make some money.
The feeling hadn't left Rachel ever since she finished her first act and she had no idea why but she didn't like it at all. She let her feet lead her all the way to back stage, she made one stop to the DJ before she went on.
"Hey Star, what we going for this time?" he asked
"The usual, hot mess" Rachel smiled sadly.
The DJ was called Reed and he was the only real friend Rachel had in her life, they had met round about a year ago when Jeff hired Reed to be the main DJ. He was the same age as Rachel and had moved here to look after his Grandma who was sick. They both hit it off straight away as they had a lot of things in common. He was the only one who really knew Rachel's story and the only one who supported her through her shifts each night.
"Go smash it" Reed said with an encouraging smile.
The stage was blacked out so Rachel could sneak on ready for her entrance; the spotlight was lined up so as soon as the music started it would be on her. She took a deep breath and gave her signal to say she was ready.
Quinn, Santana and Brittany were in their booth right at the end of the stage. They were chatting away and enjoying each other's company when the room went silent and then music started playing immediately. They couldn't see much of the dancers face as the lights were too bright but they could see her body perfectly.
"Wow" all three of them said in unison.
"Now this is what I'm talking about" Santana said.
Rachel was used to the feeling off all eyes being on her but this time felt different. She felt like eye were boring into her body all the way into her soul. She knew that there was a birthday in the club as she could see the bright balloons floating above the booth. She sauntered her way forward making sure she still gave each side of the stage attention. She made her way to the end of the stage and dropped down reaching for the stash of vodka. This was her thing for birthdays; she would pour the vodka down her chest and let the birthday boy or girl lick it off if they were feeling brave enough.
Rachel could make out that there were three girls and that's when the feeling in her stomach deepened. She lifted the vodka and poured it down her body walking straight towards the table and stiffened as she recognised the three girls in front of her. She was always professional though and put on her game face and turned away to carry on the rest of her performance.
Rachel ran off stage to her dressing room ignoring anyone who was trying to talk to her. She slammed the door and couldn't stop the tears from falling this time; someone had seen her, someone from her old life. The door slowly opened and Reed entered giving her a questioning look and she just broke down even more.
"I know them girls" she sobbed.
"Its ok, its all going to be ok" Reed said while encircling his arms around her, comforting her the best he could.
On the other side of the club three girls were sat frozen, shocked at what they had just seen. They were admiring the dancer and talking amongst themselves until she got closer and that's when they saw her face.
"Was that?" Santana asked
"Yeah" Quinn replied.
