Sierra
Chapter forty-six
Today sucks! It sucks big fat monkey balls!
The only good thing to even come from it is the potential to have my name cleared and be able to see Sam.
I’m sick of the whispering, the lude comments and the stares. The condescending looks, not only from the students but also the staff.
Wesley tried to talk to me all day. Thankfully the guys have been great barriers when it comes to him, and well the others as well. But they can’t be around all the time.
I was able to get out of gym, thank god. Mr. Stevenson let me use his office to make-up a major math test I missed when I was absent yesterday. But my luck has run out and I have to see him for our last period of the day.
All three of the guys walked me to the library. I kept telling them they didn’t have to. I hate that they are taking a chance of being late to their own classes, but they won’t take no for an answer.
As I step into the place that used to be my refuge from the madness of high school, I scan the massive room, looking to see if he’s here. I just want to get through the next hour without him saying anything to me.
I know it won’t happen, though.
He kept messaging me last night until I eventually blocked yet another number he managed to find to contact me.
When I don’t see him, I head straight for the desk, moving behind it and stowing my bag. There are no books on the return cart, or any new deliveries to put away, so I take a seat behind the desk, pull my literature book out of my bag, and get a head start on my homework.
Maybe if I keep busy, Wesley will get the picture and leave me alone. I hear the door open, and fight the urge to look up. I know it’s him. Don’t ask me how, but I do.
When he moves behind the desk, my whole body tenses and I can’t concentrate. His hot breath hits the back of my neck as he steps behind me and I shiver in disgust.
“Sierra,” he calls my name. His voice is hoarse as if he’d been screaming all night.
I ignore him, focusing on the book in front of me, yet unable to comprehend any of the words I’m trying to read.
“Sierra, I’m making sure my dad pays for what he did to you,” he whispers in my ear. “I had a copy of the flashdrive and I turned it in.” He leans in closer, his lips almost touching the side of my face, and I want to puke.
Still, I don’t acknowledge him. He just confirmed what we already knew. He turned the video in, yet again putting one of the most terrible days of my life on display for all to see. I’m pissed.
He pulls a chair over, the metal legs scraping across the tile floor behind the desk.
“Talk to me, Sierra. I’m trying to prove to you how sorry I am. That I was wrong for what I did. Please, just tell me you forgive me so we can move forward.”
I see red as rage builds within me. What is he not getting?
I turn in my seat, facing him, as I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“Wesley. I’m going to say this one more time and I’m done.
I’m pissed. You turned in a video of one of the worst things that’s ever happened to me to the police.
You had no right. Not only that, you allowed your girlfriend to spread it around the school for everyone to see.
You’ve made my life a living hell, not once stopping to talk to me about why you were doing it.
” I pause for just a moment and he sees it as an opportunity to speak.
“Sierra—”
“No! I’m not finished. There may have been a point long ago where we could move past everything you had done and be friends again, but not now.
I can forgive you, but I will never forget how you’ve treated me since that night.
Friends is something we will never be again.
So, don’t talk to me anymore, unless it’s absolutely necessary.
And for the love of god, don’t help me. Because of you, my life is shit and I can never forget you are the reason why. ”
I close my book, grab my bag and stand, moving over to another table facing away from him.
I feel lighter, like a weight has been lifted. I stood up to the boy who I once thought was the love of my life, then became the worst person in the world to me, other than my aunt.
I stood up for myself. Something I should have done from the beginning.
Walking into the club, I pull the brim of my hat down, shielding my face as I make my way through the tables to the back. My eyes see movement off to the side. It’s the guys from yesterday sitting at a table, all with a beer, as they watch one of the newer girls on stage.
I look around but don’t see Rico. When my gaze falls back on the table of guys, I notice the two older men aren’t with them. Neither is Arizona. Is Rico with them in his office? Has something new happened?
The need to know takes over and I head straight for his office. The door is closed, so I knock. We still haven’t let anyone at the club know we’re related.
At first there’s nothing. I can hear deep voices on the other side, but they’re muffled so I can’t make out what exactly is being said.
This time I knock louder.
“Who is it?” is shouted from inside. Rico. I’d know his voice anywhere.
“Me!” I yell back, ready to walk in, whether he says come in or not.
“Come in,” he finally hollers. I turn the handle and push the door open.
Rico is seated at his desk with the older guy standing behind him, hand on Rico’s shoulder, as they look at something on the laptop. Arizona sits in Bash’s lap on the couch.
“Hey, girl. Rico said you were dancing tonight. I’m excited to see your moves.” She smiles brightly at me before giving the gruff man a kiss on his cheek. His demeanor changes instantly as he angles his head toward her and smiles.
“Yeah. You’re going to watch me?”
“You bet I am. In fact, I might just give all these yahoos in here a treat and do a little dance myself. Give them a little Arizona.” She winks at Bash and I notice him pull her body tighter to his.
“Cool. I’d love to see you too. Umm, Rico, any updates? Did you hear anything about how Sam’s appointment went today?”
“No, I haven’t. But I’m sure we’ll hear something soon. So just be patient and don’t let it slip that you’re getting videos from her. Make sure she knows that too.”
“She does. Umm, and what about Mr. Johnson?”
“I’ve made contact. Now, I’m just waiting for his reply. I’m sure with the video he may be a little reluctant at first. Just be patient. He’s obsessed with you and having you dance for him, so he won’t let it go too long without replying. He thinks he’s above the law since he hasn’t been arrested.”
“Okay,” I say weakly. I turn to leave, and almost make it to the door, when a soft hand lands on my shoulder.
“Can I come with you?”
I nod, and she drops her arm, following behind me.
“How are you holding up?” she asks as we step into the hallway, the office door closing behind us.
“Okay. I’ll just feel better when I can see my sister, hold her in my arms, and all of this is behind me.
It just feels like it’s going to haunt me forever.
Not to mention I know my aunt’s out there somewhere.
I just worry she’s going to pop back up, just when everything is good and cause more trouble. ”
“Have you mentioned these fears to—” She looks around to make sure we’re alone—“your uncle?”
I shake my head.
“This is the dressing room.” I open the door and step inside, heading to my table and set my bag down..
Rummaging through it, I pull out my first outfit, before stepping over to my locker, putting my bag inside.
None of the other dancers are in here right now, but I already know how they’re going to be when they see Arizona.
They can be catty when a new girl starts. I experienced it firsthand. Some are still salty toward me, but most of them have warmed up.
“It’s nice, kind of reminds me of the one back at Hell’s Desire. Do you have any extra costumes here?”
“Yeah. Check my locker. So you’re serious about dancing?”
She gives me a wicked grin and winks before moving toward my locker.
She opens the door and begins to look through what I have.
Arizona stands there for a moment and I watch her in the vanity mirror as I put on my makeup.
She holds each item up to her body as she quirks her lip and angles her head from side to side.
Finally, she puts everything back, but a plaid skirt and a white button-up crop top.
“I’ve got it. I’ll be right back, gonna let the emcee know what music to play for me.” She lays the outfit over a chair and spins on her heel, practically skipping out the door.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh.
I never thought my life would end up like this at seventeen.
Taking my clothes off for income, living a double life.
What is turning eighteen going to hold for me?
It’s not far off. Will Sam and I still be separated?
Unable to see or talk to each other, or will luck be on our side and we get to be together again?
Arizona comes back into the room, pulling me from thoughts. Shit, I still haven’t finished my makeup. A quick glance at my watch puts me into high gear. I’ve got exactly thirty minutes to be dressed and ready to head for the stage.
“Did you get it sorted?”
“That I did. Also, if it’s okay, can I go on before you? I already told him it was, so I hope it is.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I don’t know. I’m thinking you may be next level good and I’ll look like a deer on ice when I do my number.”
“Girl, stop, your boy Cyrus, raved about your dancing. Rico even told us you had a large fan base, but that he's never seen you dance. I’m sure I’m the one who’s going to learn a lesson tonight.
Now let’s get dressed so we can watch each other, and then, once we take care of your situation, we’ll have a girls’ night before I leave. ”
A girls’ night!
“I’d love that.” I quickly work at finishing my makeup, holding back the tears. It’s been so long since I’ve had a female be genuinely nice to me. Some of the girls here have been, but with Arizona, something feels different.
Once I’m focused, it doesn’t take long to put my face on and get dressed. Arizona takes a little longer, but we spend the time with her telling me stories about her family and how she met her men. I’m eager to meet Jace. He seems like he’d keep me laughing.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” Standing, I take one final look in the mirror, making sure my wig is firmly in place. I’d hate for it to fall off during the first spin on the pole.
There’s a knock at the door, before it opens slightly and a deep male voice speaks. “Everyone dressed?”
I look over and check on Porsche and Candi, who joined us about ten minutes ago.
“Yes, you’re good.”
Bash steps in, followed by Rico and Cyrus.
“There’s my man.” She does a little spin for him, which gets an approving nod.
Cyrus comes over to me and kisses me softly, being careful not to smear my makeup, which garnishes some cat calls from the girls.
“Times a wastin’. I have two girls who need to make it to the stage, especially since we squeezed one in.” Rico taps his wrist with his watch before turning and leaving. Cyrus takes my hand and I follow behind him.
When we make it to the floor, I stand to the side and Arizona makes her way to the stage.
I’m holding my breath, waiting to see her perform, and she doesn’t disappoint. From the first beat of the Britney Spears song she dressed for, to the acrobatic spins she performs on the pole.
This bitch isn’t good, she’s fucking amazing, and I have to go on after her.