Burlesque

"He is going to kill me if we don't make curtain call." I hiss to Kitty. The yellow cab is getting stuffier by the second and its making my head spin. Her manicured, jewelry covered, hand takes mine that are desperately rubbing each other.

"it will be fine, Roxie. We have time." I turn to her, the street lights glimmer outside of the cars windows, the night was well among us at this point. Her curled barbie hair was dazzling. Her eyes covered in the expensive glitter eye shadow, lined with a thick, black, cat eye. I nod and swallow the nerves. But I knew him.. And I knew how he was. And I didn't want to get hurt tonight. Not ever.

The cab pulls in to the neighborhood and eventually pulls up to the club. We jump out in three seconds flat, tossing a twenty at the driver before running through the front door, the doorman waving us through, telling us to hurry for the show was going to begin.

Climbing the metal staircase in our heels we reach the dressing room, already tearing our clothes off. The other girls are already dressed. I look around and find him already in the room, doing roll call. His eyes meet mine and I feel sick to my stomach. His glare deadly.

The atmosphere of the club was dark. There was a little of glitter, old music, smoke, people and pretty girls. People came from all over Los Angeles to feel the magic of the old fashioned Burlesque dance bar. It wasn't magical for me though.

It was a living hell.

Cussing as I rip my dress over my head and pull my first costume on.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=138619602

The other girls wore plain black tops and black shoes, me being the 'star' of the first number.

We were late.

I would pay for it later.

"Girls, there will be a group of very important men here tonight. So I need you to be spectacular."

We all nod and head backstage where Lucas comes up to me, taking my upper arm roughly in his grasp, pinching my skin, I whimper and plead with my eyes.

"You'll fucking be your best. If you would have not been here in time I would have fucking beaten your ass. Tonight is everything. Don't fuck it up, Roxie." He growls. "I'll deal with your tardy later." He growls in my ear before pushing me away. Fear rolls over me, sweat builds on my brow. I didn't want to think about later. I couldn't.

I feel Kitty behind me, taking my hand in hers. I squeeze back. Trying to get my hand to stop shaking.

"I'll make sure he gets drunk, he will forget all about it. Don't worry, honey." She whispers. I nod but don't look at her. The other girls finally stop squealing as the lights in the club turn off and Lucas steps on stage, microphone in hand. Starting the introduction.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. I welcome you greatly to the greatest show on earth. Performances by the hottest singers and dancers around town. The most swinging club you'll ever find. Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to Burlesque!"

He gets off stage and the applause is thunderous. The spotlight hits the stage and I give my brightest smile before walking on before the other dancers behind me.

The crowd knows me. Hell, this neighborhood knew me. I was the only solo performer here. This clubs fame depended largely on me.

Despite how my life has turned out.. I knew I had that to be proud of. I knew I always had the joy of performing. I just wish the other aspects were not so treacherous.

I hit center stage and the music starts. (Start it at 23 seconds the music begins.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK2OZm9ScIA

Once done, the lights turn off and I quickly get up from the small couch and make quickly back stage to prep for the next number. Praying to god that Lucas will not chew me out; I missed a beat on the second chorus line. Biting my lip he meets me back stage, taking my upper arm, ripping me back, pulling the blonde wig from my head, tossing it at Kitty before dragging me away. I still had a few numbers to do before close so I was a little confused as to why I was being pulled off towards the audience.

"We need to say hello to the guests. You will not speak unless spoken to and will not disrespect me." His voice is low and I merely nod in reply. I dared not to ask questions. The other girls head back up to the dressing room and we make our way through the back hallway, taking my arm tighter he yanks me up the stairs. "Hurry the fuck up." He groans, pinching me again. My heels rubbed my feet raw but I kept up the pace as we took the back staircase up to the balcony which was the VIP area.


Opening the door he goes in first. I come in quietly behind him, closing the swinging door. Five men stand up with smile and hold out their hands, one buff man stands in the back, he doesn't look as we come up but he keeps his eyes scanning the audience.

I look back at the greeting of Lucas and the five men.

"So glad you guys could make it tonight. Tell me, did you enjoy the first act?" Lucas asks.

"Oh, of course, it was spectacular. We have never been in somewhere like this. it's so hot." A British accent chuckles. The boy speaking is tall with mousy brown hair. A few tattoos ink his skin. These guys look fairly familiar to me. They must be celebrities for Lucas to haul us both up here. "I'm Louis." The same one shakes his hand.

"Lucas, nice to meet you."

"I'm Liam." A tall, muscular one shakes his hand.

"Zayn." One with dark black hair.

"Niall." His accent is Irish.

They are all extremely attractive and well dressed.

"I'm Harry." I turn to view the last.

His stature his tall, his black shirt nearly see through. His eyes are not on Lucas though. They were on me.

Harry's POV

"So what is this place called?" I question as we drive towards the club we were supposed to be visiting this evening. I was not in the mood. I really fucking wasn't. I was not fond of LA and I just wanted our break to be over so we could finally go back to London.

"Burlesque, remember? The live singing and dancing girls? It's supposed to be real cool." Liam shrugs, gazing out the window. With a huff I look out my window too. I zone out of the conversation. I really just wanted to be home right now. I wasn't in the mood to party. I will give the boys credit. They really were trying to help me. Help me lift my spirits. I haven't been the same for a while and we all know that.

But the fact they thought a strip club would make me feel better just felt like a bigger slap in the face.

We pull up and I take in the club. It's tall and brick, in the busy part of down town. The arch over the door says Burlesque in bright red and yellow bulbs. The list of the numbers performed under it. I knew all of these songs were older. Interesting. The line out front was huge but we get in right away as one of the workers comes out to greet us.

We of course, as always, had to call ahead to where we wanted to go, just so we could have a private are where we wouldn't be harassed by the paps. They didn't know we were in LA yet so it would all be okay I think. But you never know.

Coming in I ignore the gawks and people calling for me. The boys frown at my behavior but I don't really care. I don't care about a lot these days.

The inside of the place is actually really cool. It's dark and smoky and the drinks are good.

The boys chatter about shit but I don't listen.

This man comes out and welcomes the audience and I find myself more and more entranced by the energy of the place. It felt like I was back in the 1920's.

The lights turn off and a girl steps on stage.

And god damn she is beautiful.

Instantly I lean forward in my seat, trying to make out the details of her face. I know the guys are looking at me, confused about my actions but I block them out. I instantly wish I was in the front row to see her better.

Then she starts singing.

I don't take my eyes from her the entire performance. I can feel a stupid smile on my face and I actually laugh at the message of the song. This 'innocent' girl with a dirty secret. It was cute yet sexy.

Her vocals were amazing, her voice just mesmerizing.

I don't watch a single other girl because she is stealing the entire show. I swear everyone is watching her. Her attitude and spark demand everyone's attention. She was really something else.

I needed to meet her.

Once it's done I stand and applaud. That was rare for me. But I applauded. She was just spectacular. I really really did need to meet her. Everyone in the building did the same. Some called out the name 'Roxie' and whistled.

I was going to meet her

I had to.

Notes