C R I M S O N | ✓

1. "Be safe Crims."

I get used to it eventually.

The disappointment.

The hurt.

The pain.

It's all I've known my whole life.

Never depend on another to help you. Try your best to help yourself.

Dancing on this pole right now is what I enjoy.

Men here should be home with their wife and kids, some are absolute creeps who should be locked up in prison and others, who I've seen actually looking for love.

Whole new meaning for looking for love in the club.

They think I just do it for the money, which is true, but dancing is the only thing that I know how to do right.

I've been doing it my whole life.

Mom had taught me from a young age and then sent me to dance camp every year since I was five. I had to stop when she... left.

So I don't do it for them.

I do it for me.

My shift is ending now so I slide through the back curtains and make my way to the changing room. I gather up my money and change into blacked ripped jeans and my oversized black hoodie. I go to Serash's office, my boss and get my cut. He looks up from behind his desk, "Be safe Crims."

I smile at him, "I will."

To be honest, Ser is a serious man that shouldn't be messed with but he treats all his dancers like his daughters. I respect him, and besides, he's the closest thing I have to a dad right now.

As I step through the back doors, the cold night air hits me harshly across the face. I zip the hood up higher and check the watch on my hand. 2:32. I go into the parking lot and get in my car. I need to get home as soon as possible so I can get some rest for school tomorrow then my shift at the cafe after.

I open my car and get in. I start the engine and make my way out. I live approximately fifteen minutes away so it doesn't really take long to get there.

I feel kind of hungry and I remember there's a 24 hour Build Your Burger close to my home.
Maybe I could use some of my money to get one, I did make a little extra tonight anyway and there's nothing wrong with spoiling myself.

I drive in and park my car. I get out and make my way inside, taking fourty dollars with me. I walk up the small incline and push the doors open. The bright white lights make my eyes hurt a bit and I stand there for a couple seconds to let it adjust.

I start to look around and realize there are only a few people here. A guy in the far back-left catches my attention. His eyes, cornflower blue, are piercing through my skin, I almost feel naked though I'm fully clothed. His hair, light brown curls reaching just below his shoulders, sharp jawline, almost as if it would spilt my fingers if I were to glide them across it, his vanilla complexion, pink plump lips, straight nose. Pretty attractive, yet he screams trouble. And I don't need that right now, nor ever.

So I look away and proceed to the cashier, "Goodnight, what would you like?"

I faintly smile at her, "I'd like my burger to weigh half pound, at least two layers, two beef burgers should be inside, five slices of ham, add a few nuggets please, lettuce, tomato, only mayo, no ketchup. A lot of cheese also and add more ham with some bacon and a cup soda, thank you."