Page 28 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

Tears coat my eyes because I know my days as a dancer are over.

But these girls. They’re in their prime.

There’s an unfamiliar stirring in my heart as I watch the teacher, a kind-faced woman with graying hair tied in a chignon bun. She glides along the floor with her young students.

Remembering back to when I first danced. The teachers who inspired me, helping me to become the dancer I became. A sense of longing fills my heart as a single tear rolls down my face.

I was like these dancers once, dreaming that one day I would be a prima ballerina. I’ve always loved ballet, but being told you no longer have the right body shape is a bitter pill to swallow. But now, I see my way forward–as a dance teacher.

That’s what I’m going to do. Though I know my father will pressure me to continue with my accountant training. But this is what I want, and losing my cousin has made me realize I’m letting my father dictate my life.

The smile on my face widens as I slip out of the studio with a renewed purpose invigorating my steps. I’m going to start a new chapter in my life. At least once the threat to my life is gone.

There’s a zing in my stride as I continue to Café du Monde. I bypass jazz bars to souvenir shops, lots of restaurants with boards outside showing the traditional cuisine they serve. But nothing is as good as the sense of excitement I feel.

Finally, I arrive at Café du Monde and order beignets and a café au lait in a souvenir archway mug. While I wait, I pick up the newspaper left on the next seat by the previous occupier and flick through the news.

I get to page seven when a server delivers my coffee and pastry. “Thank you.” I tap a lot of the powdered sugar off the beignet and then break open the pastry and take a bite. It’s crisp on the outside but fluffy in the middle and tastes similar to a donut.

“Bella made thirty-five thousand selling her virginity,” a girl says as she takes a seat at the next table.

I glance to my left as two more girls take their seats.

“She must have found a way to grow her hymen back because that girl is not a virgin.” The girl with black curly hair shakes her head. “She must have taken a vial of blood with her.”

The third girl with red hair chuckles. “Thirty-five thousand dollars.”

The girl with fair hair leans into the middle of the table and says, “The men in New York are prepared to pay over one hundred thousand dollars.”

Wow... Wow...

Should I disappear to New York?

“Apparently Bambi sold herself for two hundred thousand here in New Orleans,” the fair-haired girl says as the server arrives at their table. “Who wants to sign up?”

They give their orders as my fingers slide into my back pocket, take out my cell and pluck out the temporary membership card I have for Club Sin. After opening the browser on my phone, I tap the edge of the card on the table.

“I haven’t seen Bambi since term started back,” the red-haired girl says.

“Probably at a boot camp, getting ready for her nuptials.”

Two hundred thousand dollars...

Twenty thousand would be enough.

Will Beau make another play for me again? Will Atty? Or will Jove stop anything from happening?

This way is easier. Where no hearts are involved.

I need to forget about the three men and do something for me. I take a moment and wonder if what I’m about to do is crazy or the perfect plan.

Maybe this is a better plan.

I won’t know the men.

I’m in New Orleans.

I can let myself go.

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