My hips swayed while my hands gripped the pole. At times I'd arch my back, letting my long blonde hair fall as I lifted my chin up and turned around it. Every now and then I'd throw a sexy glance at the audience, usually consisted out of fat old men or curious younger ones. Always wearing minimal clothing and lacy lingerie but never showing any intimate parts, I left those same men breathless and wanting more.

Other girls in this modest strip club are different. They provide 'happy endings' to their dances since prostitution here is legal. Thus they often dance topless. That has nothing to do with our boss Tom, because he doesn't want to be an owner of a brothel. He knows very well what they do, but he doesn't care as long as it is out of his club. I've always been his favourite and he seems to have a crush on me. Whenever I need something he'd be there to give it. Partly it is because he likes me, and partly because he knows I don't have anyone. I live alone with no family, and my only friends are the people here. Even girls treat me nicely, we are all very close here. Tom, even though he doesn't approve of prostitution, understands that some of them have family to provide for. I never cared who does what, I don't judge.

I took a break between my dances and went to stand at the entrance to catch some breath. Clothed of course. The security guards let me out and I stood on the wide pavement, watching the passers by. Some gave me a judging look, some smiled, and some didn't pay any attention. Tom came out, joining me.

"Everything alright?" He asked smilingly. I nodded in response as my throat felt too dry to speak. Dancing is like running, it leaves you breathless. He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer earning another smile from me.

"I'm gonna go have some water." I said moving out of his hug.

Just as I was about to turn and go back inside, a tall blonde man passed by staring right at my eyes. Finding him handsome I smiled, but he kept on looking at me seriously. It all lasted a couple of seconds but felt much longer. Perhaps he got it the wrong way. Lots of men judge girls like me, probably he is one of those. I didn't smile to allure him and have him come inside, I just did it because I felt like it. Not giving it much thought, I went back inside.

___

The alarm went off at six am, but I already got up. No one needs an alarm with neighbours like mine. I live in a very old building that seems to be falling apart. The lady who owns the apartments in it, my landlord, is too old to care to repair them. But I can't complain since I don't earn enough to afford a better place. In the apartment across from mine lives a couple. The man is an alcoholic and beats his wife. Sometimes they argue all night, that is why they woke me up this morning. In the apartment next to them lives Ellen, one of the girls who works at the strip club with me, and her five year old son. He is a very sweet child, I babysit him sometimes. On the ground floor there are also three apartments, one of the landlord herself, in one lives a guy who is an addict, and in the third some poor family. Yeah, it's definitely not a nice area to live in but you get used to it.

I ate some leftovers from yesterday real quick, and then put on a pair of high-wasted jeans and a white shirt, all buttoned up. I work part time as a librarian's assistant, so three days a week I have to spend sitting in silence with Ms Heilig. She is an Austrian woman in her late fifties who is really antisocial and doesn't like talking. I must admit though, her bone structure is splendid. She looks really good, and I imagine she was once a very beautiful young woman.

I arrived to the library five minutes late and she reminded me like every single time to which I smiled innocently and apologised. I sat down at my desk across from her's and began reading a book I picked just like her. She always sits there and reads, but doesn't let me be on my phone. I can only either read or sit quietly. Sometimes I sneak into the toilet and use my phone. I don't do much work here, just put books back into their place, check them once a customer returns them and find the new one he or she would like to rent. Apart from the awkward silence between Ms Heilig and me, I can't complain about anything. Dancing at the strip club pays for my rent and other expenses including food, so the money I earn here is what I use to buy myself something nice and go out to the cinema or restaurants, and maybe save a little too. I've never been the study type so I stopped once I graduated high school. Obviously Ms Heilig and others at the library don't know about my little dancing job, because if they did they'd fire me instantly.

The best part of my working day at the library is the half an hour break during which I like to grab a latte in the coffee store near by. My life is pretty simple. I mostly just go to work and when I have some free time I either stay at home watching series or go somewhere with Ellen. I cannot say she's my best friend but she is the closest to what I have as a friend. Both her and Tom, but I don't tend to open up to them about anything. I just know I can count on them if I need to.

When I finished work I had time only to eat something and get ready for the next one. All of us girls have our lockers and a dressing room at the club, but I prefer to get ready at home. I leave there only a spare outfit and some makeup to fix mine if I sweat too much. For tonight I picked black thigh-high stockings with a lace top, and a black corset. All my dancing heels are really high because I'm not tall myself.

I wore jeans and a t-shirt on top and grabbed my bag containing everything I need before I left. Since I don't own a car, Ellen gave me a ride because she also works tonight. When we arrived Tom was pouring drinks behind the bar because clearly the bartender didn't come on time. Seeing him busy I just waved and went into the dressing room to undress. I spent a couple of minutes chatting with the girls, then proceeded to the stage.

The song playing is sensual so I moved in the rhythm with it. I danced slowly, focused on the pole. Despite many gross man who come to watch me dance, I love my job. The pole feels like a part of me and when I'm dancing nothing else matters. I forget about all the people around me, space and time. That is how I have a stomach for it.

Men began arriving, rarely with a woman among them and I began receiving the dirty looks. Luckily, Tom is a very nice boss so whenever someone pestered one of the girls, he or she would be escorted out. He tries to make us all feel comfortable, but of course in order to keep the custom we have to be nice and sweet to everyone. Only if someone overdoes it we can be feisty.

Since all the songs they are playing tonight seem to be slow, I have a chance to look around. To my surprise a familiar face walked in. The same tall, blonde guy I saw last night. The one that didn't smile back. Watching him with curiosity, I couldn't help but notice that he took a seat on one of the comfy black leather chairs in front of my stage. The lights tonight are red instead of purple, they often changed between these two colours. Nobody ever makes me nervous while I dance, but this man has something in him which makes me feel slightly insecure. I gave it my best shot to ignore this feeling, the need to impress him only increasing. I have my lingerie on but his eyes make me feel completely naked. With every glance he gives me he takes a piece of my clothing off. No dance has ever felt this intense, not even my very first one here in front of everyone. I decided it was best for me to take a break, wondering why he had the power to make me feel so nervous.

I went over to the bar and ordered a shot of tequila from Tom who gave me a questioning look. But I didn't pay much attention to it since sometimes I take tequila shots here. Well rarely, but I do. I poured it all down at once, feeling the burning sensation in my throat. I bit a lemon enjoying its sour taste which seemed to help the burning taste of tequila. Right after I walked over to one of the chairs in a deserted corner to relax a little. The blonde man approached me. Every step that he took closer to me gave me shivers.

"How much does a night with you cost?" He spoke in a deep raspy voice, watching me from above. I really hope he sits down, it makes me nervous. My hands gripped tightly the chair I was sitting on and he noticed, looking at them for a second. I let go immediately.

"I-I am not a prostitute." I hate myself for stammering right now but for some reason I can't gather myself. He gave me a stern look and I swallowed. He is at least 6'3 inches tall so even if I stand up he'll still look down at me. "But most of the other girls are." I continued trying to cheer him up a little and send him over to someone else who can handle him.

"I'm not interested in others." He replied shortly after looking at them briefly. It honestly confuses me because all those girls are tall with super long legs and I am so petite, basically a gnome.

"What about a lap dance then?" He smirked as the idea came to his mind. I swallowed nervously since I am very well aware that I can't refuse. Tom lets us reject if the man asking is really gross or for some other really good reason, but right now I don't have one.

"Fine." I nodded getting up from my chair nervously and leading him into one of the rooms slightly larger than a changing cabin in clothing stores.

We entered and he sat down on a semi-circular red sofa with heart-shaped pillows. The speakers are making the current song loud enough so I have everything I need to begin. I closed the curtain behind me and as I did it, I saw Tom looking my way with what seemed like jealousy on his face. I sighed and began...