Chapter 1 APPLE (AMANDA)

They always loved giving me a big welcome. I stood behind the red curtains as the last dancer returned, letting out a sigh of relief. Her lingerie wasn't as complicated as mine, but then again, she hadn't been here as long as I had. She was not as loved as I was. The crowd was already cheering, knowing that I was next. "And then," the announcer began as I rolled my shoulders back and placed my hands on the inside of the curtain, "The one you've been waiting for! The amazing Apple!-the curtain opened, arms raised and beaming at the crowd. The cheering grew louder.

But I played dumb, against the lights. The pole stopped in front of me and I waddled towards it with full confidence. I could care less about the crowd. The cheering and praise from him was amazing. Of course, but most of it came from men who only wanted me for my body. I do whatever it takes to get paid. That's what I always told myself. Even though my salary and tips are the main reason, I also do this because I have talent. I grabbed the pole in front of me and started my routine. One leg around the pole and then the other. My body flows to the beat of the pop song playing behind me. The crowd, within ten seconds of my entry, he had already started throwing money at me I wrapped one leg around the pole and leaned back, circling around the pole. In my last circle around, someone's hand was outstretched trying to pass me bills. I took it with my teeth with a playful smile and a crunch on my nose before sliding back against the post and making a show of putting it into my Appley white bra. My routine continued; the applause continued. The lights were brighter for me, and even though there were other dancers on the side stages, the whole club was around me. They loved me. Then I started more movements lying on the ground On all fours, I started to twerk. There was a guy in the club that night. A young guy himself, twenty years old, in a formal suit. He looked at me just a little bit, mostly on his phone. When I looked back at him, I bit my lip and winked at him. His face turned light pink and he went back to his phone. The slightly older men around me went crazy, even though the gesture was not meant for them. I got to my feet with a twist of the body and returned to pole position. I grabbed him one more time and began to dance around him. With both hands on the pole, my leg came up, making a perfect line with my other leg. By the end of the first song, there was easily a good amount, a hundred, maybe two hundred, on the floor and the larger bills that made another fifty in my bra. At the end of the day, that's why I did what I did, for money of course. but it's not that why all the girls do it? As one of the staff members collected the proceeds from my first song, I crouched at the edge of the stage. It was a provocation for the men. They shouted confessions of love, how sexy I was, how beautiful I was, how they wanted to see me without underwear. He had heard it all before. but I just waved and smiled, blowing a few kisses here and there. I loved the attention, the money wasn't bad at all, but having people pay attention to me for once was also a great benefit. I would take any kind of attention at this point, the good, the bad, everything. That's when the security guard tapped me on the shoulder, it was my last song, at the end of my night, I had enough money to pay half of this week's rent. The money tomorrow would be for the other half. While some girls used this money as extra money, to support their children, or to pay for their university studies, I only had myself. The rent was expensive in the area and he didn't have a car to travel anywhere cheaper. Besides, this place was my home, why leave? As I started to head towards the dressing room to change my clothes for the night, I heard someone call my name. What is it really called? I turn to see a man in his mid-thirties jogging towards me. he doesn't look bad, with a muscular frame and beautiful blue eyes that would make most girls run after him. "Hello, Apple," he greeted, slurred slightly. She probably drank that alcohol to get the nerve to talk to me. "I was wondering if you'd like to do a private event for me and my boys this Saturday." Oh here we go again. "Then after, maybe you could give me a private session." I'd even let you stay the night if you wanted. God. Men. they were pathetic assholes sometimes. Most of the time for me since I worked at a strip club. "No thanks," I replied with a pleasant but fake smile. I don't do private events. and I don't...fuck the abusive men. But I kept that part to myself. "I'll give you five hundred," the man begged. "Sorry, the answer is still no." -Thousand.- -No. Now get out before I call security. The man's face twisted into a frown. "Fuck you," he said before spitting at my feet and stumbling. "Fuck you too," I muttered before heading to the dressing room. "Hi, Apple," one of the girls greeted. "Great show, Apple," said another. But the rest were silent. I didn't expect much from the audience. They didn't even know my real name. But I expect more from my stripper sisters. Maybe they were just jealous and that's why they barely recognized me and just using my stage name. But I have a real name, Amanda Kennedy.