I threw one look in the mirror, quickly brushing through my hair. I wasn't a big fan of make-up, but I knew what was expected of me, so I grabbed the make-up bag. I didn't have time to do it now, but I would have sometime before the show began to put it on. I dumped the make-up in my bag, quickly putting a change of clothes and some deodorant in there as well, before running down the stairs.
"Bye." I screamed to Oliver after quickly putting on my shoes and running out the door. The sun was shining down on me, warming my face. It truly was a beautiful day, but I didn't have any time to enjoy it. I brushed past the people that were busy talking on their phones, the men and women in suits, never smiling, not appreciating the life they had, the college students, complaining about the financial hardships they were facing. My jaw clenched as I heard two friends talking about how broke they were, as they were sipping their 8 bucks Starbucks coffee and carrying their 100 dollar bags. I tried to ignore the annoyance and jealousy that was rising deep inside me. It wasn't their fault they had always had an easy life. I should be happy for there not just being injustice and hardships in this world, yet I couldn't. I knew it was petty, but I was extremely jealous of the life they lived, the life they didn't value as they should. What I wouldn't give to swap places.
One look at my own phone, the cheapest model I could find, told me I was running late, so I sped up my pace, doing my best to avoid any collisions with the other pedestrians.
After fifteen minutes, I finally made it to Mrs Johnson's establishment, 'The Hopping Bunnies', which was a terrible name if you ask me. I got a few dirty looks as I walked up to the door, and I simply looked back in defiance, challenging the woman who was looking at me with clear disgust in her eyes to say something. When she finally looked away, whispering something to her friend, I entered the building. Immediately, the musky scent of arousal, sweat and alcohol washed over me. I never did get used to that smell, nor will I ever I expect.
"Ahh, Destiny." Mrs Johnson walked up to me, using my stage name, "You will start in 10 minutes, go get ready." Her grey eyes clearly disapproved of the lack of make-up on my face. Mrs Johnson was an incredibly stern woman expecting nothing but perfection from the girls in her service. I didn't doubt she made tons of money, as the club was always packed every evening. Although she pushed hard, she was as fair of a woman as could be expected, giving us relatively high wages for the work we did, hiring good security guys and always taking our side whenever a client went too far. On the other hand, she did hire underage girls, catering to her audience that preferred teenagers over older women. She hired me a year and a half ago, when I turned sixteen and was in dire need of a job. No one ever checked our age, though. No one cared enough. I nodded to her and made my way to the dressing rooms as I had done a dozen times before. The three other girls I would share my shift with were already there. Natalie, whose stage name 'Raven' referred to her jet black hair, was currently in the process of putting on her bra. Sophie, known as 'Tiffany' in this establishment, was doing her make-up without any clothes on, not bothered by the rest of us seeing her body. No one really had any shame anymore, I suppose. We had seen each other naked quite some times by now. Meanwhile, Lily, coined 'Crystal' by Mrs Johnson, was struggling with her costume. She looked up as I entered, offering me a smile before returning to her task of lacing up the tight corset.
I told myself I was grateful for the job, which was true, but I couldn't help but feel a certain emptiness as I got ready for three hours of being looked at as if I was a piece of meat. The sneering comments of the men always got to me. I reminded myself of why I did this. I had to take care of myself and Oliver. Besides, tonight wouldn't be too bad, I was assigned to the pole, which was my favorite. It was like a work-out, with a sexy undertone I suppose. It made me feel better, as I worked my muscles and could use my strength. It made me feel more confident than when I would have to give private dances to someone.
"Good luck today," Sophie and Natalie left the room and went upstairs as I finished my make-up.
"You want me to wait," Lily had finished lacing up the corset and smiled kindly.
"No, it is alright, I'll be there in a minute." She nodded and left the room as well. I put the fake lashes on and gave myself a look-over. The lingerie I was expected to wear was a burgundy red, contrasting starkly with my pale skin. Mrs Johnson had also given me a flowy, mostly see-through jumpsuit this time. I tied the straps loosely around my neck, as to ensure I wouldn't have any difficulties taking it off during the dance. The neckline plunged all the way to my belly button, exposing most of the bra I was wearing underneath, yet also leaving some to the imagination.
'Always leave some to be desired,' Mrs Johnson would often say, 'If you give them what they want immediately, they lose interest.' And men losing interest meant bad business. I forced a smile on my face before walking up the stairs towards the main stage, where I would be performing for most of the evening.