1
I never listen when my mom yells at me. Her eyes are bloodshot , her thin brown hair falling over her shoulders. My aunt told he she used to be really pretty. Somehow, I have trouble believing that.
I dump my backpack on the worn, brown recliner and cross my arms.
“I’m home.” I say, “on time.” My mother mirrors my pose. She’s still mad that I came home late the other night. It wasn’t even my fault. I was working
“Good for you.” She says, “are you gonna do dinner?” I snort, grab my backpack, and leave.
I slam the door to my little bedroom, pushing my desk chair against the door. I sit on the little single bed, running a hand through my hair.
“Isabella Marie,” my mother calls, “come here, now.” There wasn’t much I could do to get out of the small town. Every girl my age was stuck in Gray, New York. Gray. The worst name for a city, ever.
“Isabella,” my mother called again. I ignore her, no longer caring what she has to say to me.
I check the time on my little radio alarm clock that stood on the plastic picnic table that stood as my desk. Somehow, it’s five-thirty. I only have an hour until my shift at the club.
I am not a slut. I just dance on poles for money. Nobody knows, because then, I’d be ‘slutty’.
My mother pushed open the door a tiny crack. Fury danced on her face.
“When I tell you to come, come.” She hissed. I gave her a look of mild temperance.
“Whatever.” I said, raising my eyebrows. She lets out a frustrated groan and slams my door. Then I stand up and head to my pitiful closet, on the wall across from my bed. I shove the normal clothes aside, revealing everything I needed for work. I grabbed a few articles at random, stuffed them into a bag, and opened my window. I look down for two seconds, then launch myself out of the window.
Delightful has to the worst gentlemans club ever. I’m called Envy, as one of the seven sins. I’m wearing the shortest skirt and tiniest top possible; my red hair is free, and hanging around my back. My eyes are made up with gothic makeup.
“Hey, darling,” the sweet, endearing voice of Lana Goodwell calls. She dressed in all white as Vanity, her huge blue eyes sparkling.
“Hey.” I say as I stash my bag.
“It’s a really good crowd out there,” Lana says, “all politicians and high-rollers.”
“Good.” I say, “I need this money. My mom and I are on our way to getting evicted.”
“Well, let’s not keep them waiting.” Lana grins and winks. She is the ultimate bad girl. She’s been able to hold this job for almost three months, work a normal job with out anybody noticing.
I follow Lana onto the stage, where Greed, Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath, and Pride where already on poles.
A tacky beat starts to gyrate through the speakers and we all begin to dance to the beat. Men cheer and throw money at us. I fight to keep my sexy smile from expanding to a grin. I love it. The most objectifying job on earth, and I love it.
It has been almost half an hour, dancing to song after song, when I notice Lana isn’t beside me. I shrug, thinking she’s been called to give some guy a lap dance. I pay no mind until I hear a gunshot. The music stops, all the girls scream and duck. Another gunshot rings through the air, and another and another, until silence settles through the air.
