So I am starting to get back into my writing mood. I'm really going to focus on finishing this story up. I know a lot of you have seen the final episodes of the season. Since my story kind of follows the same ideas I am going to try to wiggle a few small similarities from the final in there. I'm not planning on straying from my original idea and I won't be adding spoilers. The rest is still going to be what I had originally intended to do, (just with a change of setting). Well, I hope you all enjoy the chapter and thanks again for reading!

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Chapter 9

Work was beginning to become routine for me. I went out on stage, did what I had to do and I didn't pay attention to the little voice in the back of my head that told me to stop. Every time I worked, I prayed Spinner wouldn't make an appearance. For a few weeks I managed to get by without seeing his face. The vivid dream had faded away in the back of my mind and I was beginning to worry less and less about everything. I was trying my hardest to stay positive about everything, but in truth. I was exhausted. Work was taking every last ounce of energy I had. By the time I got home I only felt like lying on the couch and watching television. I had barely had a conversation with the Paige nor did I care to. When I wasn't working I only wanted to sleep. I was saving enough money. Soon I would have enough money accumulated in my savings to quit. I was looking forward to the day.

I had decided to go to the grocery store while Paige was away at school. Despite my frustration, I was still trying to make our relationship as smooth as possible. Paige had given up a lot to be with me and I didn't want to think I was unappreciative. Paige did most of the shopping and I thought I would try to relieve the stress since I knew finals were approaching and she would want as much to study as possible. I was just picking up a few of our essential shopping needs. I had been browsing through the produce section when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey." The voice called from beside me.

I turned to look. I was surprised to see Toby on the other side of the oranges.

"Hi." I replied not sure why he was talking to me. I gave a small smile and returned to picking out tomatoes.

"So, what's up?" Toby asked. He seemed very tense.

I turned to look at him again, "Nothing." I said. My tone was harsh, then I went back to what I was doing. I could see Toby in the corner of my eye and he had not moved.

"How is life after high school? Is it as hard as they say it is?" He suddenly asked.

I was getting irritated now, "I guess." I replied, just wanting him to leave me alone. I rolled my eyes when I noticed he had made no motion to leave.

"Oh." He said.

"Toby, did you need something?" I yelled.

"A date." Toby replied.

"That's what girlfriends are for." I replied sarcastically.

"I know." He replied, "Be my girlfriend."

"Sorry can't." I said without even looking at him. "I'm already someone else's' girlfriend." I said stuffing a tomato in a plastic bag.

Toby was beginning to shake, "You share yourself with other men but not for me." He stated.

I almost dropped my bag of tomatoes, "How do you know?" I asked walking towards Toby directly.

"I have my ways of getting past security." He replied trying to sound as smooth as possible but his voice crackled at very word.

"Okay, whatever!" I yelled not having anything more productive to say come to mind.

Toby seemed taken aback by my sudden burst of anger but he was trying to hold his ground, "If you won't be my date, I'll tell Paige." He blurted out so quickly I almost didn't understand.

"She knows." I scoffed back at him. I chuckled to myself at the stupidity that was Toby Isaacs.

"Paige knows about you and Spinner?" Toby asked pretending to be shocked.

I could feel my stomach churn, "Nothing is going on between Spinner and I." I replied, keeping my voice to a whisper.

"But you dance for him, in the VIP room." Toby stated, his voice was stern.

"As a client!" I yelled.

Heads suddenly turned to stare at Toby and I. I could feel everybody watching. I grabbed Toby by the arm and pulled him around the corner which was less crowded.

"Look.." I started but Toby suddenly cut me off.

"No, you look. Either you are going with me as my date or I tell Paige about you and Spinner. I don't think Paige will be interested in hearing about the nitty griddy details." Toby had suddenly gotten a boost of confidence. He knew he was in control. I was trying to keep my cool. I didn't want to show any signs of worry but I feared that I was being completely obvious.

I shook my head laughing, "You don't even know how to reach Paige."

Toby reached into his pocket and took out a small piece of Paper. He flashed it before me. I scanned carefully and my heart sank when I understood that it was Paige's cell phone number.

"How did you get that?" I asked forcefully.

"I have connections." Toby replied. He was talking much smoother and more confident now.

I instinctively snatched the paper from Toby's hand and crinkled it. I felt a small feeling of relief.

"I have the number in my phone." Toby chuckled, "Plus I memorized it."

My heart sank even lower, "Everyone at that school knows I'm a lesbian." I said, just trying to say anything that would get me out of this mess.

"Not everyone. Just our graduating class really, and they graduated...most of them." Toby replied.

I rolled my eyes in despair and Toby shrugged. I knew I had lost. It was either this or risk of furthering destroying the relationship I still had intact with Paige. I brought my hand up to my forehead and through my hair.

"Okay." I said angrily, "You win."

A smile suddenly plastered itself across Toby's face.

"If you mention anything to anyone." I threatened.

"Ohh, don't worry." Toby grinned moving closer to me, "It's our little secret."

As Toby walked away he turned around to look at me, "I'll be in touch." He winked.

I wanted to smack the smile of his smug face but knew I couldn't and it drove me insane. I barely managed to finish my shopping. I was sure I had forgotten at least a half a dozen things but my mind was wandering else ware. I decided to take a different way home just to give me something new and different. The thought never crossed my mind when I walked off the bus that this was the exact street that Jimmy and Spinner had opened their business in. I could see Spinner up ahead trying to draw in costumers. I quickly turned back around to see if I could catch the bus before it left, but it had already gone. I straightened myself upright and started walking. I decided not to cross the street. I didn't want to appear afraid of him. Spinner was standing to the side, a goofy smile plastered across his face. I could here his voice in the distance and it made me quiver. I continued to walk. The sound of his voice drew closer and closer. My thoughts started going back to my dream. I could feel him breathing down my neck. His lips on mine. It made me queasy. Despite it wasn't real, the dream was so vivid. Finally, I approached him. I pretend not to notice as I walked by.

"Alex." Spinner said. He sounded surprised to see me and I could tell he hadn't meant to draw attention to me, but since he had called my name, "What are you doing here?" He asked.

"This is a public sidewalk. I'm part of the public." I replied bitterly.

In the strip club Spinner had power. Here, Spinner was defenseless.

"Oh." He replied.

The bewilderment on his face was startling. He had truly never expected to see me outside the club ever and now that he had, he was different towards me. He was awkward. Despite this, I was in no mood to be merciful. It was his fault I was in this situation with Toby and it only fueled my resentment.

"T-Shirt?" Spinner suddenly asked, "On me."

Maybe it was hatred at the moment for Spinner or perhaps his word choice, but it drove into me like jagged spikes.

"A t-shirt?" I asked angrily.

"You know, to show no hard feelings." Spinner said.

"You think the damaged you have created for me is going to be fixed with a t-shirt?" I yelled.

"I'll throw in a water bottle." Spinner said jokingly, obviously not understanding just how upset I was.

I shook my head angrily, "You're pathetic." I blurted out. The tears were swelling up in my eyes and I was beginning to shake. I felt like my entire world was crashing around me. All this, because of an oaf.

"Whoa," Spinner said, "Calm down." He reached his hand out to touch my shoulder. That was the moment I dropped my groceries, jerked forward and pushed him.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed. My voice had reached a screeching level. Spinner was thrusted back onto boxes of t-shirts and into clothing racks. I could here the clashing of everything has he feel. I moved in closer to him.

"I don't want to ever see your face...anywhere ever again." I said sternly and walked off.

I didn't see the shocked look on Spinner's face or Jimmy's as he wheeled out to see what the commotion was. The only thing there to witness the aftermath was the bags of groceries I had left behind.

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Okay, I've already started the next chapter so I'll try to be done as soon as possible! Thanks everyone for reading!