Her Choices

It was Cammy’s first day back at school after summer break and she was excited. She was starting senior year and she was hiding the biggest secret from everyone around her. She’s gotten herself a new job when summer started. Being a quiet girl who loved books was an easy cover to hide her new job as a stripper. The money was great and it gave her the confidence she needed to go to college next year, even if it was super hard explaining the extra cash to her four older brothers. Yep 4. As the youngest Cammy knew what would happen if the boys found out, she’d been the surprise baby for her parents and her mother’s dream. But her mother had disappeared and she’d been helping keep them afloat with her dad turning into an alcoholic and all the boys having moved out to go to college. Pulling off last nights false lashes, stripping off the makeup and hiding her heels she made sure she had the money she made last night, she couldn’t risk her father finding it or it’d be gone on who knows what, probably booze or weed again, she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Sighing to herself Cammy dressed in her usual leggings and oversized jumper. No one would believe she was Dallas Dream at Charlie’s sports bar. Known for the sparkly body contour and revealing dances. She was even on some of the flyers around town but thanks to some heavy makeup and some curls no one had any idea. Cammy wore her usual glasses and her long dark curls piled into a bun or braid, she didn’t think any of the boys had ever seen her in a dress let alone makeup. She was pretty but she could hide it, meaning even when her brothers closest friends walked in no one recognised the youngest May child. So long as one of her brothers didn’t try it then she was safe thanks to Kayla and Brandy. Grabbing her handbag and slipping her work makeup bag inside she dropped a message to the manager at Charlie’s. The woman was amazing and Cammy loved her, Brandy was hard working and she knew Cammy was only 17 but she trained and practiced and worked whenever she could. Brands Hey boss lady I’ll be by after school to practice and cover that shift tonight x Dropping her phone back in her pocket she plugged in her headphones just as her eldest brother called, walking past her father and wrinkling her nose at the familiar smell of stale booze and weed as she walked from the house she knew he’d be gone drinking by the time she got back that night way past her curfew. She couldnt help the resentment sometimes, the bubbling anger that her brothers got to disappear and she was left with him. ‘Hey sis’ ‘What’s up Q?’ ‘Can’t a guy check on his baby sister before her senior year?’ ‘You were here yesterday and I know already no boys, no s*x and no drugs. Connor, Mack and Dylan already gave me the speech.’ ‘Well definitely no drugs, not that you would Mila but maybe dating wouldn’t be the worst thing for you.’ Cammy nearly dropped her phone in shock, was Quinn actually telling her she could go on a date or at least something. God she couldn’t imagine their faces if they all knew she’d gotten $500 from a guy they all knew last night for a private dance. And that was just the tip of the iceberg from the summer. Kayla hadn’t recognised her when she’d had to call last month for makeup help. ‘Mila?’ ‘Sorry Q, just anxious I guess.’ ‘Look I’ll swing by with the boys later...’ ‘No don’t stress we’ll see you in a couple days anyway I’m working tonight’ ‘Another library shift sis?’ ‘What else?’ Cammy knew telling them she worked closing shifts at the library would hold them off for now. ‘Almost at school Q, I can see Kayla, love you bye.’ Hanging up the phone as quickly as possible so he couldn’t hear the guilt in her voice, Cammy found her bestie Kayla resting against her locker, the redhead and brunette had known each other since their first week at primary school, Kayla was gorgeous and she knew it, waist length curls and blue eyes made everyone stare whereas Cammy always saw herself as plain. Kayla was the only person who knew about her job because Brandy was her aunt. ‘Hey Mil, how was work last night.’ Letting a little of her confidence slip into her body and voice Cammy couldn’t resist shooting her bestie a wink and patting her shoulder bag. A playful wink and smile tugging at her lips. ‘A lot of fun, you know me I work hard and I love learning’ Both girls bursting into a fit of laughter as Kayla’s boyfriend found the girls. ‘Hey Kay, Mila. What’s going on?’ ‘Just gossip babe.’ Rolling her eyes at the couple she fished her buzzing phone from her bag as her group chat with her brothers filled with messages, rolling her dark eyes in irritation. Kayla shooting her an amused look when she looped her arm through her boyfriends, looking past him to look at Cammy. Heading towards where their classes would be. ‘Trouble at work?’ ‘The brothers and the same promise they’ve been making for years.’ ‘Let me guess.’ ‘No boys, no s*x and no drugs.’ Both girls laughed as Max just shook his head. ‘They’re gonna have to let you grow up sometime babe.’ Cammy’s soft laugh and expected eye roll at the teasing making Kayla laugh loudly as Max chuckled. Kayla was glad Max sometimes saw the other side of her best friend. She’d been with Max a while maybe they could tell him? Cammy’s bright laugh snapping her from her head as her best friend looked at the guy walking between them. ‘You try that Max, cause Kayls been trying since we were 12.’ All three laughing as the girls shared a look. ‘Study period?’ ‘Details then, I need a favour too.’ Waving goodbye to her best friend and Max, Cammy finally decided to open the messages from her brothers. May Gang ‘Mila, have a good day, we’ll see you soon Q x Remember no boys, good luck Milly-Dyl x Mila doesn’t need luck she’s amazing but Dyl is right NO BOYS!!!- C xx Boys behave yourselves, let’s not stress Mil on her first day- Mack I got it last night boys yawl made yourselves real clear. And boys aren’t interested in me I’m YOUR sister remember and everyone knows you lot. Even if they didnt theres a constant reminder Con.’ Huffing at the immaturity she switched off her phone as she finally got to her first class of the day, she couldn't let the boys ruin the hard work she put in despite the work hours, her body and brain on auto pilot through her classes. It was just before Cammy couldn’t wait to escape her algebra class, especially since the resident bad boy and her brother Connor’s best friend Alex was sat behind her trying to tug on a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her bun in her rush that morning. ‘Hey Cam, pssst’ ‘What Alexander? And it’s Camilla’ ‘Why do you have glitter stuck to your shoulder?’ He leaned forward and pulled the edge of her sweater further down the shoulder it had slipped from, exposing more of her back which was still covered in glitter and baby oil from her last dance. She could feel the shivers rippling down her spine as Alex revealed more skin than she’d ever let anyone outside the club see. ‘Let go of my jumper now Alexander.’ Hearing the tone made him smirk. Realising the classroom has gone totally silent made Cammy flush bright crimson as all eyes turned to look at her, feeling the rush of tears she blinked back before anyone could see. She was used to the attention just not outside of the bar and outside of Dallas Dream. There she had a facade and the guys loved the confidence she had. Right now she needed her fake confidence or something to keep her from breaking. Cammy knew exactly why and she shook her head at her own carelessness. Leaning to sink down in her chair and get Alexander to release her jumper to tug it back properly. ‘Oooo do I have to tell Con your being a bad girl?’ ‘Grow up Alexander. It’s Kayla’s she wanted to try something out on me.’ Praying for the bell to ring, Cammy got her wish for once as she bolted from the room on the hunt for her best friend and the nearest bathroom immediately. Finally finding her and Max with half of the football team including Alex she shuffled up next to her closest friend. Leaning up to whisper in the redheads ear she gave their code for emergency’s. ‘112’ Max spotting her as he wrapped an arm around Kayla. ‘Woah Mila you alright?’ Kayla spinning to look at her best friend who’s eyes were beginning to go red and glazed from unshed tears. ‘Milla talk to me. We always ‘112’ ‘Right sorry Max but this is important I’ll find you later.’ Rushing Cammy away from the big group and everyone else around them Kayla gripped her hand and shoved her into a cupboard. ‘Milla talk babe what happened? You were okay this morning? Is it the boys? Brands?’ ‘Alex saw glitter on my shoulder, pulled half my jumper down, I must’ve forgotten to check with my client late last night. He totally embarrased me.’ ‘Babe it’s okay, did you say I used you for a makeup thing like we talked about?’ ‘Yeah but what if…’ ‘No Alexander doesn’t get to take the power you feel at that job away because he saw glitter if one of the boys asks I’ll deal with it. You’ve been a totally different person since you started its brought out a side of you I haven't seen in so long and I'm so proud of you. We’ve got this.’ Nodding Cammy relaxed her shoulders as the girls made their way to the gym showers. ‘Go take a shower and change into my spare leggings, you’ll have a jumper in your locker, I’ll get Max to bring them.’ ‘Thanks Kayls, just thanks.’ ‘Always Mila, I have your back this job is so good for you. Don’t let any guy take that away.’ Drying her tears Cammy prepared herself for another few hours. Maybe she could get dropped at home. s**t she had training after school, she knew she’d feel better once she practiced. Kayla appearing with her things the duo waited until Cammy was ready before slipping to head to their study period. Feeling her phone buzz against her thigh she reached for it and rolled her eyes. She’s should’ve known that Alexander knowing meant Connor wouldn’t be far behind especially if he thought she was having fun or doing anything she shouldn't. ‘Connor’ ‘Hey girl.’ ‘What? I’m at school’ ‘Lex texted me, said something bout baby oil and glitter all over your back.’ ‘Really? Kayla was trying a new beauty hack out on me, she got me from work last night is all. What exactly do you think shy and quiet Camilla is doing? I'm hardly the party type.’ ‘Milla…’ ‘No Connor maybe call me back when you aren’t accusing or letting Alexander s**t stir. And when you want to grovel let one of the boys know. Bye.’ Hanging up the phone she dropped it onto the desk and squeezed her eyes shut as Kayla leaned her head against her best friends shoulder. ‘Very impressive Cammy, they have no clue.’ ‘It’s gonna stay that way, they all left and I stayed. I’m dealing with dad.’ ‘I admire you babe I really do, you’re badass. But he's their dad too it can't all be on you.’ Smiling softly Cammy leaned her head forward into her arms. ‘Can I come watch practice again after school?’ ‘Like you have to ask Kayls, what did Max say?’ ‘Asked if you were okay and if he needed to call any of the boys. He’s pissed at Alex I think he’s told Dylan too.’ Getting to the end of her school day before her brothers bothered her again, this time Dylan’s ringtone blasting from her backpack as the girls headed out the school doors. Sighing heavily Cammy was just done with the day today. Ignoring the song she pulled her phone out and texted the group again. May Gang ‘Connor knows what he’s done and I’ll talk to him and all of you when I’m ready. Dyl tell Max thanks for looking out but I'm good. I’ll be at the library working a late shift. Dads out.’ ‘I’m sorry Mil please. C x’ ‘What’s he done now? Are you okay? Q x’ ‘No I am not and I’m allowed to be PISSED. Gotta go. Call later or 2morrow.’ Dismissing all the beeping and snips of songs she climbed into Kayla’s car and the girls blasted their getting ready playlist. Ignoring the noise from Cammy’s phone as Kayla reached and switched it off. Tossing it into the depths of Cammy’s bag for later. Pulling into the parking lot the girls slid in the employee entrance. ‘Auntie B!!’ ‘Kayla, Dallas lovely to see you both, Dallas your practice room is all ready, shift is a short one only till 11.’ Brandy winking at the girls as they slid into a the regular practice room, slipping her jumper over her head and stripping her leggings off Cammy got to work stretching as Kayla plugged her phone into the dock. ‘What’s tonight’s playlist?’ ‘Wicked Wednesday so Dallas dream is everyone’s nightmare. So sexy and sensual.’ ‘Love these themes. Leather, reds and blacks?’ ‘You know it Kayls, now let’s get Dallas prepped and ready to pounce.’ Smirking at her best friend as she let the confidence take over, an hour later she was dressed in a red bodysuit and her stilettos, draping a black kimono over the look she fluffed the bouncy curls and popped her cherry red lips. ‘Milla, I don’t even recognise you, it’s just wow.’ Lifting her eyes from her own reflection she curled her lips into a smirk. ‘Dallas Dream has arrived.’ Both girls bursting into laughter as Cammy threw her curls over one shoulder. ‘Have a good show Dallas, I’ll wait in the practice room.’ ‘Should try and catch some of the show with Brand.’ Kayla couldn’t help shake her head. Peeking out of the practice room half an hour before closing she went to the office to find her aunt. Dropping into a chair she turned to the cameras, ‘She’s dancing to her final song watch.’ Cammy adjusted her earpiece as she spoke to her audience. ‘It’s Dallas Dreams last dance of the night and it’s by far the best.’ Hearing “take it off “start up Kayla watched her best friend body rocked against the pole and spun herself into an upside down split. Watching the amount of money men and women were stuffing into her bra and panties Kayla couldn’t believe this was her best friend. ‘She’s such a natural. The flirting the dancing and those costumes she loves them.’ ‘The boys are stifling her Brands.’ ‘I know Kayls, that’s why I asked her to cover tonight, she needs out that house and I can monitor her here. She loves being who she wants no hiding.’ Cammy couldn’t help the laughter spilling from her lips as one of her regulars came over with a large vodka lemonade and a blinding smile. ‘Dallas, as always can I ask to take you home?’ ‘Mitch, your lovely wife would have something to say.’ ‘She loves your dances herself you know that.’ Winking at him she accepted the drink and let him lead the way to her private dancing booth. ‘Talk tonight or dance?’ ‘You gonna let me see under that?’ ‘You know it costs extra’ ,That’s all good darlin.’ Switching on a new song she slid her straps down her shoulders as she revealed her bare back, stick on bra and tiny little thong covering her she gyrated to the beat thumping from the speakers, spinning from the pole she used her hands as a bra and flipped her hair to smirk over one shoulder. Collecting her earnings from the shift Cammy and Kayla walked out the club. Cammy was dressed in her bodysuit and leggings from school that day. Stopping dead when they saw Max leaning against Kayla’s car. A shocked but smug look on his face. ‘If it isn’t my girlfriend and Dallas Dream or should I say Mila?’ The girls froze as they looked from the club to Kayla’s car. They were in deep s**t if anyone found out.