Sorry that this was not updated when I anticipated. I switched internet providers for a day, and.. we didn't get along much. LOL I have to update another story before I continue with this one, but it shouldn't be too long. Thanks for reading.
Mandie
___________
Chapter 1
Courtney sat in front of the full mirror and ran a hand through her long blonde hair. She bit her lip, her eyes boring into her reflection. Her dark mascara and overdone blush disguised her from the innocent Courtney Matthews she once was. It hid her anguish and her prayers for something, anything, to save her from this; an unrequited dream. It also hid her guilt. Not from a crime, did she feel this way, necessarily, but from the twinges of regret she felt burning into her. She wasn't suppose to hide from A.J., she wasn't suppose to be remorseful over the choice she made to protect him. She told herself her choices were made out of love, but were they? A.J.'s drinking at the pure thought of stress caused her heart to beat wildly, with...what? Fear? No, no. She loved A.J. Her head told her so, but tiny whispers of doubt coursed through her heart.
The curtain entrance to the room swayed and a brunette bombshell entered, smiling. "They're hot tonight, hun," she laughed, "and it's almost your turn."
A wide-eyed Courtney nodded in response, her eyes glued to the wad of cash the woman held in her hand. 'That's what makes this worth it,' she thought to herself. 'I have to do this.'
Needlessly smoothing out her costume as she stood, she braced herself for her performance. She looked ridiculous. She felt ridiculous. And she was stuck. A pawn in the game of life.
________________
The doors of the Oasis opened and a young man entered and headed for the bar. A quick glance around the club confirmed his suspicions. Sonny was later. Again. Smirking, he figured Carly had trapped him in some outlandish scheme.
Jason glanced at his watch. He really was not in the mood to stick around here for too long. He had to get to Liz. Zander had become a frequent visitor to her and that didn't pleases him.
A man with a microphone on the center stage interrupted his thoughts. He quickly glanced up at the man, who introduced the next stripper.
"Now, here's..."
______________
"Daisy!"
Courtney's head snapped up as she heard Coleman call her 'name'. Slowly, in her nervous pace, she made her way past the silver curtain and felt the hot, fluorescent lights hit her and burn into her skin, igniting it into flames. Her dance started and she found herself gazing out at the multitude of men. She delayed eye contact, for hungry faces written with desire alarmed her. But her gaze fell upon a familiar face and with a gasp, she ran. She ran for her privacy, for her sense of security and for a glimmer of hope that she'd disappear back into the girl she once was.
Mandie
___________
Chapter 1
Courtney sat in front of the full mirror and ran a hand through her long blonde hair. She bit her lip, her eyes boring into her reflection. Her dark mascara and overdone blush disguised her from the innocent Courtney Matthews she once was. It hid her anguish and her prayers for something, anything, to save her from this; an unrequited dream. It also hid her guilt. Not from a crime, did she feel this way, necessarily, but from the twinges of regret she felt burning into her. She wasn't suppose to hide from A.J., she wasn't suppose to be remorseful over the choice she made to protect him. She told herself her choices were made out of love, but were they? A.J.'s drinking at the pure thought of stress caused her heart to beat wildly, with...what? Fear? No, no. She loved A.J. Her head told her so, but tiny whispers of doubt coursed through her heart.
The curtain entrance to the room swayed and a brunette bombshell entered, smiling. "They're hot tonight, hun," she laughed, "and it's almost your turn."
A wide-eyed Courtney nodded in response, her eyes glued to the wad of cash the woman held in her hand. 'That's what makes this worth it,' she thought to herself. 'I have to do this.'
Needlessly smoothing out her costume as she stood, she braced herself for her performance. She looked ridiculous. She felt ridiculous. And she was stuck. A pawn in the game of life.
________________
The doors of the Oasis opened and a young man entered and headed for the bar. A quick glance around the club confirmed his suspicions. Sonny was later. Again. Smirking, he figured Carly had trapped him in some outlandish scheme.
Jason glanced at his watch. He really was not in the mood to stick around here for too long. He had to get to Liz. Zander had become a frequent visitor to her and that didn't pleases him.
A man with a microphone on the center stage interrupted his thoughts. He quickly glanced up at the man, who introduced the next stripper.
"Now, here's..."
______________
"Daisy!"
Courtney's head snapped up as she heard Coleman call her 'name'. Slowly, in her nervous pace, she made her way past the silver curtain and felt the hot, fluorescent lights hit her and burn into her skin, igniting it into flames. Her dance started and she found herself gazing out at the multitude of men. She delayed eye contact, for hungry faces written with desire alarmed her. But her gaze fell upon a familiar face and with a gasp, she ran. She ran for her privacy, for her sense of security and for a glimmer of hope that she'd disappear back into the girl she once was.