Vivid Lies Read Online Free Page A

know the song is coming to an end, I go to wait at the steps. Even with my nerves fried, my hands are surprisingly steady. On the outside, I look confident and ready.
    The lights dim and I feel the dancer before me brush past me as she exists. I take the three stairs to the stage and face my back to the audience.  
    Raising both hands above my head, I grab the pole. The silver pole holds my spine straight and separates me from the men watching me. I'm still in the darkness as the first few beats of the song fill the room. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes as the red spotlight hits me.  
    Catcalls and whistles come from behind me but I concentrate on the music. My body slowly slides down the pole and I spread my knees. The men yell because they can't see what I'm showing off. It drives me to keep going.  
    Straightening, I twirl around and hold the pole in front of them. I bend over, giving them a view of my ass and their calls drown out my music. Adrenaline rushes my veins as I spin myself around the pole. My boots hit the floor and I smile when I don't fall.  
    Feeling the power, I move like I practiced. I tease them. I flash them. I make them want me.
    I spin and dance as though I have done it a thousand times before.  
    The leather jacket hits the floor, landing with the dirty paper money. I'm relieved to have the weight off, and I cool down. I'm more exposed to the floor than I have ever been since I started working here. Strangers have never seen so much of my body before.  
    Working the crowd near the stage, I let them touch the boots and slip bills into my thong. Bouncers hover nearby, ready to pull off any touchy ones.  
    I swallow my nerves and drop the bra slightly later than I had choreographed.  
    They love it.  
    More money hits the floor and I prance by it all to back the pole.  
    My hands are sweaty as I grab pole high and spin around. Locking my ankles together, my legs hold me up as I drop backward. Upside down, I hold the bottom of the pole and my back arches. My bare chest is facing the audience but I close my eyes as blood rushes to my head. The boots make it hard to feel my grip.
    Panic sets in as my ankles break apart. I tumble down the ground and nearly smash my face.  
    I still, face down on the stage. My sweaty body is sticking to the floor.  
    The room goes dead silent.
    The blood rushes back to my legs and I scramble to my knees. I look back at the dropped jaws and wide eyes.  
    I don't even bother to grab my tips before pushing to my feet and rushing off the stage. I slam through the door to the dressing room and grab a robe to cover myself. At my vanity, I bury my red face in my hands.  
    That was the single most embarrassing moment of my life.  
    I fight tears when I hear the music change. Candy quietly comes into the room and places my discarded clothes in front of me. My tips are neatly stacked on top.
    "It happens," she says, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
    "Not to you," I mumble, on the verge of crying.  
    She laughs and sits on the stool next to me.  
    "My first dance actually went perfectly. My second was a disaster. I ran for the top, jumped and missed."
    I stare at her with wide eyes. I've never seen Candy be anything less than amazing. She must have been doing this a long time, but with all the makeup and wigs, it's hard to tell her age.  
    "Yep. I flew through the air and landed in the crowd. Gave a guy a black eye in the process."
    I can't help it and start laughing. Candy laughs too and shakes her head.
    "We all have a mistake when we start. Don't be too hard on yourself, kid."
    She winks at me and leaves me alone in the dressing room. I stare back at myself in the mirror. My hair is a mess, my eyeliner is smeared and I'm still shaking with nerves.  
    I sulk until more girls enter the dressing room. Some look at me and laugh while others look at me with pity. Bitches. I can't take it anymore.  
    I dress quickly, pulling leggings and a tank top over the outfit I