Strap on

A few weeks past, your band blew it big, and Scarlet's incident spread fast. So you can only focus on the books and the music. But every night during your long shower before sleeping, you let Kelly out again while singing. And before sleeping you traded silly messages with Lola. Mostly her talking about her life with Eddie, and how much they miss you.

Eddie was now playing solo at a bar to pay the rent, Lola was dancing at a club when she was not performing on the street. Both had such different music styles that was impossible to combine them. Leaving together with such opposite schedules was hard for them, and for several times Lola invited you to spend the weekend with them.

But you mind was fixed on a single goal. Graduation. The only thing that was stopping you to go full artist mode. When it finally came, you celebrate with a quick bite with Lola and Eddie.

" Darling, you look sad ... Is everything ok ? Or are you just thinking that my famous deer is over ? " Said Lola preparing herself to go to playing on the street, while Eddie was washing the dishes.

" My parents told me that ... if I prefer music to university ... I need to face the real world ... " You said remembering that good grades, and graduation marked a decision point on your life.

" They ... kicked you out ? " Says Eddie looking at both of you.

" Not yet ... I can stay a couple of months until I find something ... affordable. But I must leave soon for sure. I don't know what to do. The rents are so expensive, and sharing a room with someone ... My music equipment is not premium, but ... " You say sharing your doubts.

" I know that feeling Chris ... I had the same problem ... until I met Lola. Leave your gear on the media room. " Says Eddie smiling to Lola, before returning to washing the dishes.

" Thank you ... truly ... But I don't know if can afford a room on this neighbourhood yet, you have the subway just outside of the door, so I'm sure it's expensive. Traveling from whatever job I can find to here to practice, and go somewhere else to sleep ... Even with the subway ... Maybe I can get lucky, but is best to plan ahead. If things change I'll call you. " You with a polite tone, trying to think about getting a job.

" Silly, doll ... The media room as a mattress. It's not much, but it's yours. " Says Lola pulling you by the hand. Lola's house is not big. One room with a bathroom, one kitchen, and a small storage space near the door that Lola is opening. Inside you see a table with a computer, and a chair. And near the wall a mattress.

" Eddie uses this space to work on his music, I use it to try some dance moves ... It's not big. " She whispers like if is telling a secret

" It's ... perfect ... But I don't want to steal your space ... " You say thinking that you don't want to impose your presence.

" Truth is ... We are planing to rent this space ... To help to pay the rent ... You are right, living near the subway is expensive. " Says Lola looking down.

" But we don't want a stranger judging us on this house. " Says Eddie only with his boxers hugging Lola.

" Please darling ... think about it. " Says Lola hugging back Eddie while she adjusts her wig. you can feel how heavy the air is now, and make your decision.

" Let me find a job first, Lola ... To see if I can afford ..." You begin to say, but you are interrupted.

" First month free, food I can grab from the bar sometimes, and Lola brings leftovers from the club often. Cheapest deal ever. You can't say no. Going to bed now. " Says Eddie talking fast before kissing you on the cheek, and Lola on the lips. Before you can say a word, he walks away a few steps closing the door of the bedroom.

" Eddie ... kissed my cheek ... " You say surprised to Lola.

" One time only, doll. And for the same reason he stripped to his boxers. His way to show you that on this house we live free. And that includes clothes and ... Kelly, if she wants to be herself here once in a while, or all the time. Don't think about it. I walk you to the subway. Ok ? " Says Lola grabbing your hand again, but now leaving the house.

" Eddie knows ... about Kelly ? " You ask Lola before entering the subway.

" Of course not, dummy. It's on the vault remember ? He knows about the hot Christy that stepped on the stage for a historical, and vanished. Knows how hot she looked, and has no problem in having two sexy bitches walking on the house. And if some day you want to invite Kelly in, I'm sure if he will be happy to know her. " She says adulting the step of her bag.

" No promises ... I need to go. " You say stepping away to enter the subway. Part of your secret unspoken code. Chris and Lola do not hug in public. You find a seat on the subway and think how perfect would be to feels free like them, and you receive a message from Lola.

" Miss u ... Just kidding, or maybe not. Need you to go grab me a strap-on, Kelly. No questions please. Gong to begin my performance so there is no need to answer back. I'm sending you the money. " You read the message several times trying to understand if it's a prank, until you receive the money transfer on you app, showing that Lola was talking serious. For a moment you think it's another present for you, and Lola wants to take things several levels above your comfort zone. Then you remember that Lola is not like that, so this is an emergency need for a friend ... Makes sense. Someone send her a message asking to buy this kind of toy for some reason, and Lola can't go because she is beginning her performance. For several times Lola said that if you start late, someone steals your audience on the street. And by luck, the mall is on the next stop, and you reserved this afternoon to go hunting for a job and a place to sleep. Thinking about the promise of having a free bed for one month, you decide to help Lola.

According to the instructions on the message the sex shop is on the parking lot of the mall, a discrete place for a discrete clientele. Or maybe a drive-thru fast sex items without your partner living the car. The possibilities are endless. You think that you will waste one hour at least to check all the corners of the underground parking lot, and enter the elevator. Because you don't have a car, you need to enter using the ground floor door, and go down one level, or more if you can't find it.

All your fears vanish when you see the bright sign calling your attention as soon you exit the elevator. It doesn't screams sex shop, but the lingerie on the window is not proper for a store ... or maybe it is, since you know almost nothing about female underwear, except the bikini panties you are using now.

The door closes behind you as you step into the shop. A girl with blue spiky hair gives you a once over. "Can I help you?"

You glance around. There's nobody else here. "I'm looking for..." you start to say before catching yourself. Do you really want to tell a stranger that you want a strap-on? Do you have any alternative. The shelves full of sex toys show you that on the right place, but you don't see a strap-on.

"Yes?"

"I'm looking for a strap-on," you tell her, blushing. Trying to rush things. "Do you know where I can find one?"

"I didn't take you for that type," she giggles for a moment looking at you. Cargo pants, and hoodie are enough to hide your fragile body, but not your face. That she nows for some reason grabs her attention. " Or maybe I do. " You look down, blushing even harder.

"I'm just messing with you, cutie. This is a friendly space for all. Please Follow me." She says shifting gears from teasing to professional with impressive speed. You follow her down one of the aisles. She bends over and hunts through the lowest shelf. You have an excellent view of her ass from this angle.

"Here you go, we don't sell many ... That's why you can't see them on the shelves." she says, straightening up. You look away quickly, hoping that she didn't notice that you were staring at her.

"Thank you," you say, taking the strap on from her hands and heading for the door. Already thinking in call Lola.

"Aren't you forgetting something, cutie?" She says with a teasing tone again.

"Hmm?" You look at her confused

"You need to pay for that." She says walking towards you

"Oh." You say blushing while running towards the counter, and making her smile.

" Ah, you were nervous. First timer ? I Was thinking you were going to ... Please forgive me. " She says handing you the payment machine, and then you remember that this might not be the type of strap-on Lola wants.

" I'm sorry ... can I make a dumb question ?" You say to her.

" All you want, cutie. " She answers caressing her hair. From her posture you could even think she wants you to ask her number, but you don't feel confident for that now.

" This ... object ... Is single style, or do you have ... different ones ? " You say, making her smile.

" Ready to graduate already, cutie ? Yes, we have several styles according to ... sizes." She says pointing to the dildos on the display behind her. " But for a beginner, this one is perfect. " She says leaning in forward, enough for you to see the tip of her sexy bra.

" Thank you ... I'm just going to confirm if I have the right thing. " You grabbing you phone, and messaging Lola saying that you are on the sex shop. She answers back sending you the reference of the product. You look at the box, and can't find anything.

" Can you tell me ... if this box ... has this reference ? " You say showing your cellphone to her, she smiles and with a quick glance, flips over the box to show you the bar code on the bottom.

" Some have it on the top, others on the bottom, and others somewhere between. Please confirm it. " She says pointing with her finger to the reference. You check it carefully, then you take a photo, and send to Lola.

" Professional, you are a box of surprises cutie. " She says impressed. Lola answers with a thumbs up emoji.

" Here is our card, and your discount coupon. Don't be a stranger. " She says while you walk away. The brown bag is discrete, but while leaving the store you place it inside a supermarket bag that you take out from your pocket. Another reason for you like cargo pants so much is the amount of stuff you can carry, including bags, cellphone, wallet, a fitness bar that someone gave you while exiting the subway, and space for a lot more. And a new message on your phone from Lola.

" Job opportunity, Chris. Come now to this address, and bring the present. " You read the message, and instead of entering the subway to go home, you just need to walk a few minutes to arrive your destiny. Even if it the interview doesn't work well you still get to deliver the present.

The location is a bar, and you wonder if Eddie is behind this. The bar is open and you can hear music pumping from past the door, but the big line of people waiting to enter makes you change your mind, until you hear someone calling your name.

" Chris, this way. " Says the bouncer waving at you, and making everyone on the line think that you are someone important. You feed for attention once more awakens. You slip through the line thanks to the bouncer calling you, and when you go near him, he let you in.

" Welcome. Sorry for waiting, we have a party tonight. Go to the third floor." He says after checking if your face matches the photo he has on his cellphone. For a moment you wonder if this is how a VIP is treated. The first floor is the quiet floor of the establishment. Tables line the walls, and you can order half-decent food for less-than-decent prices. You walk fast to the stairs focused on your job, while ignoring the waitresses dressed in revealing Halloween costumes.

You arrive at the second floor, it's a bit more wild than the first. More bars line the back walls, and the tables are all high tops for friends and strangers to gather while drinking. Dance music plays from the speakers, and once in a while there'll be a live band jamming on the stage. There are even a few stripper poles on the sides of the stage, but you've never seen them used. Live music concert with strippers sounds a marketing strategy for some crazy product, and for a moment you wonder if you could perform here. But you mind is focused, and you go for the next stairs. It looks a bad idea not having the stairs all in one go, and a nightmare if something bad happens, until you see on the wall in the middle of the room the emergency escape, and understand that this is a way to make the clients go from one floor to another. A few party-goers are dancing, but most are just hanging out, drinking, and generally having a good time. This looks a good floor to grab a drink and relax. Booze is on the house for staff.

The top floor is a total rave. The music is always blasted so hard that you can't hear yourself think, and the crowd is so thick it can be hard to move. You think it's a fire hazard, until you see a bouncer coming near you.

" Thank you Chris. Can you go hang out a little on the second floor ? The place is a little empty. Drinks on the house." He says in a polite way after checking your face on his cellphone, while receiving grabbing the bag from your hands.

" Discrete package inside a supermarket bag ? You're a natural. " He says walking away praising your effort, and making you feel once more special. So you decide to go for the second floor again, because you can't refuse a free beer from a fan. You are still using the subway, but you already have a driving license, so while spring your drink you imagine if is time to get a car.

A pretty girl in an witch costume asks you to take a picture of her and her friends. After obliging her request, her vampire boyfriend tells you to fuck off. You promptly do, but overhear the witch girl whisper, "What? Are you jealous of that cutie ? "

As the beer runs out, and the crowd begins to thin enough to see that mostly are only couples dancing, you decide to end the night. Getting drunk is pretty easy for a light weight like you, so is time to go home. Giving the good news sober is a plus. And then you see a woman outside the bar, looking as gorgeous as ever, and looking at her cellphone and you.

" Chris ? I'm sorry to not be able to meet you properly. I'm Katie. " She says coming closer. She is so hot that for a moment you think that she is a famous actress, a model or even a porn star. Then she smiles, and you receive a message on you cellphone app.

" $100, consider that a tip for speed, and professionalism. When Lola sad she couldn't do it I was thinking that it was all over. " Says Katie, but your attention is on the waitresses passing on their way home while counting their tip.

" Earth to Chris. " Says Katie smiling not used to be ignored. " You need money ? "

" I'm still looking for a job, miss Katie and ... "

" And you saw my waitress showing counting their tips and compared to yours ? "

" It's not that, Katie ... Earning so much money. without doing anything was a dream ... "

" But you still want more ... Rent or drugs ? "

" What ? "

" The money, Chris. You need it for rent or drugs ? "

" Rent ... I play guitar, but I don't do drugs. " You say without thinking.

" I'm going to check with Lola, Chris. Please tell the truth. " Katie says looking at you like a cat looks into a mouse.

" It's the truth Katie. I play guitar but I don't do drugs. You can check with Lola, since I'm going to rent her spare room. " You say spilling your private life with a stranger. and her face changes.

" Ah ... When Lola said that she had someone she can trust to do the delivery I couldn't believe it, but now all makes sense. Chris, Rent is a good reason, Drugs is not. If you need Waitress tips, do it. " says Katie forming a witching smile.

" Do what ? " You answer confused

"Come to work, put on a waitress outfit, and make waitress money. No promises, but if you are good enough with the guitar maybe you can ever stop on the stage on slow nights." Katie says like if it's a natural thing, and then you understand all. You know Lola, so thinks you are ... like her. But Kelly is not ready for that.

"I'm not ... " You try to say more, but Katie stops you.

" We don't judge, I don't judge. What you are only you know. What I know is that you are Lola's trusty friend, and that's good enough to rect my hand to help you. Not going to lie, Chris. Getting a job is not easy. And with some make-up magic and proper outfit that hides your monkey hair." She eyes you up and down. "Besides, even if you wear large clothes, I know from your face and hands that you cut a figure some chicks would be jealous of."

" Thank you for the opportunity, Katie ... But-" You try to answer, and she continues.

" Isn't cash important to help Lola's rent ? Without working experience how much you think you can get payed ? Listen, Chris, Let me be perfectly honest with you. This town will eat you alive. Forget all you learn in school, forget your grades, and all the rest. On the real world the only currency is favours. If you are a musician you know what I'm saying. Being born on the right families, and knowing the right names ... That's the secret to success. But I try to play different. On this bar, we cherish talent. That's why I'm offering you this opportunity. I'm not asking you to cut your dick off. I'm offering you a chance for easy money. If you fuck up, I'm the first to show you the door... but I'm willing to give you a shot."

Maybe you're going crazy, but... it doesn't seem like the worst idea in the world. You could make enough money to help Lola paying the rent. You can only guess how hard must be for Eddie and her to offer you one month free of charge. Dressing as a girl for a few hours beats robbing a bank.

"I'll think about it." you say, shrugging.

Katie grins her witching smile. "You do that, hot shot. See you later. And one last thing, my staff can take leftovers. Nothing luxury, mostly normal food that feeds an empty stomach. It's no shame, Chris. All waitress do it, and helps to save sone money. " She says and you feel that this experience is very close to her. Maybe she also began as a waitress, or maybe she saw to many times this type of things. When Eddie and Lola said that they bring leftovers, you remembered a few stories of owners that never allowed the staff to do that. On the surface they alleged legal healthy reasons, and that's correct. But digging deeper it was clear that it was to prevent the workers from reserving some food until closure to call it leftovers.

You go home to explain the situation, and enter you bedroom for the last time. You begin to pack your things before sleeping, and see that you don't have much besides your music tools already stored on the proper boxes, and the rest fits inside a bag. It's night. The sounds fade away. You climb into the bed and receive a message.

" Sorry for not meeting you, busy, busy busy, and now on a break at the club. Katie loved you. Please think about Katie's offer, Kelly. Thank you for the help. " Lola's strange message makes you understand that she has two jobs, same as Eddie. So you consider that maybe you can do it also. You start wondering if you should accept, even it will steal all your time to do something else. You try to forget all, and focus on what you have. Free room for a month, and a few dollars for doing almost nothing. Life s good. You get ready for some deep, uninterrupted sleep. You've always had strangely intense dreams - you can't think of the last time you had slept through the night without some weird, usually lewd experience.