Chapter 5: Glitter and Guilt

Juliet kept walking down the hallway even though her legs felt heavy. The gossip about Adrian still rang in her ears and Mia stayed right beside her, matching her steps.

“You’re not fine,” Mia said. “You went white when those guys talked about Professor Knight. What’s going on? You can tell me.”

Juliet stopped near the exit doors. Students pushed past them. She looked at her best friend and tried to keep her voice steady. “It’s nothing, okay. It's just rumors and you know people love to talk.”

Mia crossed her arms. “Rumors about him messing up his last job over a student? That sounds like more than nothing. You had office hours with him today. Did he say something weird? Touch you? Anything?”

“No,” Juliet said quickly. Too quickly. “He just talked about my paper and that's all. He’s a good teacher. That’s all.”

Mia didn’t look convinced. She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Jules, you’re my best friend. I see you skipping meals. I see you checking your phone like someone’s chasing you. If this professor is making you uncomfortable, we report it. The memo is clear and no one gets to cross lines.”

Juliet’s hands tightened on her bag strap. She wanted to tell Mia everything. The club. The threats. The way Adrian’s eyes made her feel alive and terrified at the same time, but the words wouldn’t come.

“I’m handling it,” she said. “Really. I have to get home. Mom’s waiting for me to call.”

Mia sighed and pulled her into a quick hug. “Call me later. I mean it. No more shutting me out.”

Juliet nodded and walked out of the building alone. The walk to her tiny apartment took twenty minutes and she kept her head down the whole way. When she got inside, she dropped her bag on the couch and checked the mail on the kitchen counter.

One envelope stood out and the hospital logo on the front. Her stomach dropped when she saw it.

She tore it open and the numbers stared back at her. Another three thousand dollars for her mother’s new treatment and will be due in ten days. She stared at the bill until the words blurred.

Her phone rang and her mom’s name showed on the screen.

Juliet answered fast. “Hi, Mom.”

“Sweetheart, did you get the bill yet?” her mother asked and her voice sounded tired but warm. “I told them to send it to you. I’m so sorry.”

Juliet sat on the edge of the couch. “I got it. Don’t worry mom. I’ll take care of it like I always do.”

“You always say that,” her mother said softly. “But you’re in school and you’re supposed to be studying, and not fixing my problems. If it’s too much—”

“It’s not too much,” Juliet cut in and she stood up and paced the small room. “I have extra shifts. I’ll handle it. How are you feeling today?”

Her mother laughed a little. “Better when I hear your voice, but I hate that you’re carrying this alone. You should be out with friends, living your life.”

“I am living my life,” Juliet said and she walked to her closet and pulled out her dance bag. “Just trust me, okay? I’ll call you tomorrow after I pay it.”

They talked a few more minutes and her mother told her about the new medicine and how it made her less dizzy. Juliet laughed at the right times and said “I love you” before hanging up. Then she stared at the bill again.

Three thousand dollars and in ten days. She had no choice and this time, she knows she has to work harder.

Juliet changed quickly into workout clothes and she pushed the coffee table aside in the tiny living room and cleared space. The apartment was quiet except for the low hum of the fridge. She put on the music she used for practice, turned it low, and stood in front of the mirror.

She needed to practice the new routine for tonight. Two extra sets. Marcus had texted her on the way home. The VIPs wanted more and she had said yes even though her body already ached from last night.

Juliet started slow and she rolled her hips, imagining the pole in her hands. The movements felt heavier tonight and her legs burned. But she kept going.

In her mind, the pole changed and it became Adrian’s hands.

She pictured him behind her, tall and solid. His fingers sliding down her waist, gripping hard like he owned her. She arched her back and spun, eyes half-closed. The music pulsed and she dropped low, grinding slow circles, and let the fantasy take over.

Adrian’s voice in her ear is low and rough. “That’s it, Juliet. Move for me.”

She pressed her body against the imaginary pole, sliding down, thighs squeezing tight. In her head he stood there watching, with his dark eyes locked on her. His strong and possessive hands replaced the metal. One hand on her hip, the other sliding up her ribs, and his thumb brushing the underside of her breast.

Heat flooded her body. She spun faster, breathing harder. The fantasy got dirtier. Adrian pushing her against the wall, lifting her skirt, fingers slipping inside her while he growled, “So wet for your professor. You dance like you want me to fuck you right here.”

Juliet’s cheeks burned and she gripped the back of the couch like it was the pole and rolled her hips again slowly and filthy. Her body ached with frustration and she wanted his touch for real but not this empty practice and not this guilty secret.

She stopped and leaned forward, with her hands on her knees while sweat ran down her back. Her breathing came fast and the ache between her legs throbbed. She felt flushed and empty at the same time.

A knock then sounded on the door and Juliet jumped. She grabbed her bag and shoved the glittery corset inside it, but the silver straps still stuck out a little. She wiped her face with a towel and opened the door.

Mia stood there with two coffees. “Surprise. I brought your favorite. Thought you might need it after today.”

Juliet stepped back to let her in. “Mia… I told you I was fine.”

Mia walked inside and set the coffees on the counter. “You said that, but I know you. And I saw how you looked in the hallway. So I’m here and we’re talking.”

Juliet closed the door. Her heart beat too fast. “I really have to get ready for work soon.”

Mia turned and looked at her. “Work. Right. The waitressing job.” Her eyes dropped to the bag on the couch and the glittery corset strap hung out, catching the light and pink crystals sparkled.

Mia froze and she walked closer and touched the strap with one finger. “Jules… Why does that look like the exact costume Luna wore in last night’s viral club video?”

Juliet’s stomach dropped and the lie sat on her tongue, heavy and bitter.

Mia looked up slowly and her voice came out small. “Tell me it’s not what I think.”

The lie tasted like ash.