The Dancer, Part Four
Part Four
I wasn’t sure which was louder—my heartbeat, or the thumping bass from the vague club music the DJ turned back up for my ‘performance.’
Nervously, I began moving my body to the music. Despite years of dancing experience, my moves all felt a little bit rigid and awkward as I tried to match the pounding club music. I could hear a few laughs, no doubt from old classmates in disbelief that I would be doing something like this, but Autumn was quick to grab the microphone and tell them I was just warming up. The relief didn’t last long, as Autumn added on, “Just give her a minute. Bella is a stripper. She knows what she’s doing!”
The reminder of my ‘profession’ made the heat rise to my cheeks, but that paled in comparison to the pressure the last sentence added. I’m supposed to know what I’m doing. They’re paying me all this money, and I did practice for two full days before this. Somehow, I needed to push past the doubt and awkwardness.
Little by little, I allowed my movements to get more fluid, though the self-conscious thoughts persisted. By the end of the first song, things finally started to feel more natural. I managed to tune the crowd out for the most part, the same way I did for recitals, and instead focused on feeling the music in my body. I was a good dancer; it was a natural talent I had honed. Sure, I didn’t like being the center of attention, but at least I was doing something I excelled at.
“When’s she going to strip?” A girl in the front row asked loudly. Her question set off a chain reaction of voices that were quickly directed more towards me than to each other. Cries of “Strip!” and “Take your clothes off!” came from a number of horny boys and amused girls in the crowd of the college party.
As the next song started, I reluctantly obeyed. I ever so slowly began to lift my gray halter top, revealing the smooth skin just above my waist. What was I doing? But it felt like I had no choice. I was a stripper, at least for the night. I was annoyed that Autumn hadn’t been more specific on the phone, but I also partially blamed myself for not calling back to ask about those specifics.
What could I do now? Every little motion was a mental battle with myself, though my body somehow knew to keep dancing throughout the whole experience. Thankfully, the crowd was on my side. They were cheering me on. The strangers were merely enjoying the show, though I definitely caught a few faces of former classmates that were relishing this surprising side of the somewhat reserved girl they knew in high school. Even so, they all seemed to appreciate what was coming.
Keeping a shaky grip on the hem of my top, I finally willed myself to pull it past my breasts. Realizing I was about to lose my nerve, I quickly yanked the thin fabric over my head and completely off my body before I could stop myself. Not the most smooth motion, but no one seemed to care. The crowd grew ecstatic as my black bra came into view. Glancing down, I realized just how much cleavage the undergarment was showing off as it held my full C cups together. Oh my God, and everyone was going to see how they moved once I started dancing again!
“Keep your skirt on, Bella. For now!” Autumn’s voice boomed out over the music again. I glanced back to see the blonde still confidently standing next to her DJ friend. It wasn’t lost on me that she and I were dressed the same now. Black bottom layer and a bra, the rest of our skin available for everyone to see. “We still have plenty of time until midnight. Who wants the first lap dance??”
Once again, cheers filled the room, and a number of hands shot up into the air. The beginning of the dance and the act of stripping my top almost made me forget the rest of the things that I agreed to. It wasn’t just 45 minutes of dancing. It was giving dances to people, and not in the way I initially interpreted when I signed up for this.
“Looks like Luke is the only one who knows how this works!” Autumn exclaimed. I turned in horror to see a guy from high school who had asked me out at least ten times before graduation. Cocky, annoying, and incredibly persistent. I was 100% sure he only wanted me because he took my ‘prudish’ nature to be a challenge. Excuse me if I wanted to be with guys who I actually had a connection with. But now, the dark haired college freshman was sitting there with a grin and a green bill held up in his hand. “For those of you who don’t know how this works,” Autumn continued, “You don’t ever hand the money to a stripper. You find a more . . . creative way to give it to her.” It felt like the blonde was partially saying it for my benefit as well, considering I wasn’t actually what I was pretending to be.
I wanted to run, but I felt trapped. Topless, committed to the ‘job,’ and really wanting that $500 for next semester. It was just a dance. It didn’t mean anything. At least, those were a number of things I told myself to justify it. Stepping down from the table, I sauntered over towards the cocky boy in the leather chair.
As I lightly let my legs straddle him to close the distance, I gave him as much of a smirk as I could handle. “Hey, Luke.” I said it in the most seductive tone I could manage, trying to suppress the vomit at the same time.
“Bella,” he gave me a knowing smile back. Obviously not much had changed. But this time, I couldn’t refuse his flirting. He held up the green bill, and I was a little offended to see it was literally just a $1 bill. “This is about how much you’re worth to me,” he said. Nice and quiet, so no one else could hear. And then, before I could think of a reply, he reached forward and stuffed the money in my bra.