Nerd Girl (16 page)

Chapter #16

Nerd Girl Problem #116

Hear me roar. You’re never going to make a fool of me; I’ve already got that covered.

“W
hat in the world is this freaking thing?” I question Layla, as I dangle the miniscule piece of cloth from my finger.

“That’s your costume for the competition,” She answers with a laugh. Laughing, yeah, real funny.

“You’re out of your mind if you think I’m wearing this, this piece of nothing. I’ve seen handkerchiefs with more fabric.” No way! Never going to happen.

“Jenks, the costume is perfect for your song and routine and once all is said and done, it can be your new bathing suit. You’re pole dancing, for shit’s sake; sexy comes with the territory.” She stands there glaring at me, hip cocked out, eye brow arched.

“Layla, I don’t know. This…costume is...not enough coverage in my opinion.”

“Shut up and go try it on! We’ll make that determination once I see what it looks like on you.”

“Where the heck did you find this? Strippers Express?” I’d like to know that answer. With a deep huff, I acquiesce to her demand and head into the bathroom to try on the “costume.” It’s a rinky dink little thing that takes me about five minutes to figure out how to put on correctly. Once every lady bit I own is minimally covered and adjusted into this contraption, I stare at myself in the full length mirror. The black and orange tiger print looks great with my skin tone and hair coloring. It’s a complex one piece bathing suit that would look like a bikini if not for the two pieces of fabric stretching from the breast cups and connecting to the bottoms. The whole thing is secured in the back by string ties. My belly button is on display to the world and I am showing ample cleavage. Turning this way and that way, I scan my whole body and take in the seductive girl staring back. I almost can’t believe that’s me. Good thing I went back for another bikini wax last week. I have just enough time to jump back from the door as Layla knocks once and then barges in.

“What the hell is taking you so lo-?” She stops mid rant and just gives me a full body scan. “Wow! Oh, Jenks, I did good. I did really good.” Her smile is so big, it reaches her eyes. “Turn around, let me see what it does for your ass,” she instructs and twirls her finger around. I comply and slowly turn around. I bring my hand to my lips and start chewing on a fingernail. This is all very nerve wracking. It’s one thing for me to wear something like this in front of Layla or the privacy of my bedroom, but it’s a whole other thing to wear it in front of a room full of people who will be staring at me. “Oh yes, yes that’s what you’re wearing. We’ll start off with you wearing khaki shorts and a button down shirt tied at your waist. Wear your glasses for the nerdy affect.”

“Hey, my glasses are not nerdy looking, they’re studious.” I correct her.

“Ok, whatever you say. Now let me finish.” Layla, did I aggravate you? I think to myself while I mentally stick my tongue out at her. “Start the routine in the shorts and shirt and, just before the chorus, yank off your top and tear away the shorts.” Layla coaches me while pretending to yank off her own shorts. “Oh, Jenks, it’s going to be so hot!”

“Tear off the shorts? What am I, the Hulk, how the hell am I going to tear off the shorts?” The whole idea is preposterous.

“Listen and learn, my young padawan. These handy dandy little things called snaps have been sewn into the sides of your shorts by yours truly.” Oh, well that makes sense. I guess she’s thought of everything. “You got this Jenks. You’re going to do great.” I sure hope she’s right.

“Thanks for everything, Layla. I couldn’t have done all this or survived this past month without your friendship and support.” She closes the distance between us and squeezes all the air out of me.

“Sure you could have. You’re just lucky you don’t have to. I love you, girl. You’re not my sister by blood, you’re my sister by choice and that’s a hell of a lot better.”

“I love you, too. I can’t believe tonight is the competition. Do you think I’m ready? Am I going to make a fool of myself? I don’t need anyone to help with that; I’ve got it covered already.” Layla grasps my chin and stares me right in the eyes. Serious blues are clashing with unsure grays.

“You listen and listen well. I’ve seen what you’re capable of; both when you’re on your game and when you’re a terrible klutz. I have every faith that you’ll knock them dead this evening and that’s the truth.” Just as I’m prepared to interrupt her, she pinches my lips together so I can’t say anything. What am I, a toddler? “But if you have a slip up, just try and play it off as part of the routine. A little comedy never hurt anyone. You might not win them over with sex appeal, but you just might with some humor.” Finally, she releases my pinched lips and lets me speak.

“Ok, I’ll do my best to make you proud.”

“Don’t have to, I already am. Now let’s start with your make-up. We only have three hours until the curtain drops.”

“Ha-ha, very funny. Alright, drill sergeant, let’s do this.” Layla leaves me in the bathroom and comes back a few seconds later toting a huge square case full of cosmetics, a curling iron, and a basket full of hair products. Okie dokie, well if she feels she needs all that stuff to make me beautiful, who am I to question the professional? For the next two and half hours, I’m left to the ministrations of my friend and the result stuns me. I’m ready to compete. In the words of my BFF, “Let’s do this.”

*****

Well, it’s almost do or die time. I’m seventh in the lineup of 25 contestants, and number six is on her way to the pole. I glance around the large studio and see three sets of bleacher’s filled with people shoulder to shoulder. Sure enough, Layla and Riven are sitting front and center with Barb on the bench behind them. They’re all smiling and waving at me. Ah, my support system. It’s too bad GG and Pops can’t be here to show their support. I just figured watching their granddaughter dance on a pole, would be a little much for them. After all a man’s job is to keep his daughter or granddaughter off the pole, right?

Cara neglected to tell me she advertised this contest with the local radio stations. The DJ and MC for the contest are well known for their popular morning show. A lot of the crowd was drawn for that reason and the large $5000 prize. So far, the first five girls that have competed are from my beginner class and another one is from the intermediate class. I guess Cara scheduled all of us newbies early so we could get it over and done with before we lose our nerve. As contestant number sixes’ song comes to a finish, I give myself an internal pep talk. I’ve been over this routine multiple times in the last few weeks. I know the song backward and forward and should have no issue going through the moves. The only thing that makes me doubt my ability is the large audience. I look out at Layla and she sees the uncertainty on my face, she makes a gesture with her two pointer fingers tracing her bottom lip on either side. It makes me smile because the gesture means
turn your frown upside down
.

Nervously, I sit and wait for my name to be called. I’m so deep inside my head that I almost don’t hear the MC call my name. Mechanically, I stand up and walk out onto the floor. My hands are sweaty, so I rub some gripping powder on them and take my place next to the pole. My starting pose is in a squat, with my back to the pole, and both hands above my head. The music starts and I stiffly begin my moves around the pole. I’m still learning, but the moves I do know, I perform well. Just as Katy Perry sings the first chorus to “Roar,” I rip my khaki shorts off my body, tossing them into the crowd and yank off my glasses, dropping them to the floor. Completing a full fireman down the pole, I untie my shirt as I straddle it slipping the sleeves off each shoulder, teasing the crowd and toss it at some oblivious guy sitting in the bleachers. He sends me a flirty a wink. Clad only in my tiger print bathing suit, I swoop and twirl around the pole.

As the song plays on, my confidence is gaining and it must show in my performance. I can hear Riven whistling through his fingers and Layla screaming words of encouragement at me. Their enthusiasm is contagious as the rest of the crowd starts cheering me on. I feel like I’m flying like I’m on top of the world. Who would have thought dancing on a stripper pole would bring out the sex kitten in a nerd girl. Just before the end of the song, the crowds on all three sets of bleacher’s stand and start clapping to the beat of the song. Holy cow, no, they’re clapping for me. My routine and song come to a close as I perform my last pose “the angel.” I swing my body up into a reverse inverted positon, so my head is toward the floor and my legs are wrapped around the pole above me. I easily drop off my right leg in a bend and reach for my foot with my right hand. Once the move is complete, I rewrap my leg around the pole and slide down for my finish. I land on the cushioned and floor and get up to take a bow for the roaring crowd.

I can’t believe all these people are going crazy for me. It’s such a great feeling. This must be what Derrick feels like with all his adoring fans. Bowing one last time, I grab my glasses off the floor where I dropped them and push them back up my nose so I can see better. Cara comes running over with a robe for me and wraps me up. I smile my thanks and shrug it on, tying the belt. The first thing I see when I look up are my friends; they look incredibly proud of me, and I notice Barb wiping a tear off her cheek. I’m glad I could do that for them.

The MC is calling for the next contestant, and it’s as I walk off the studio floor, heading for the locker rooms that I spot Derrick hiding in the crowd. Our eyes meet for just a few seconds or is it years? I can’t tell. His whiskey eyes are full of pride and he gives me a flirty smile. I just return a crooked grin to him and continue to the locker rooms. I wonder if he watched my performance. The look on his face tells me he probably did. Well, it was nice of him to come out and show his support. Who knows, maybe at some point we can be friends. Oh, who am I kidding? Like Mitzi would ever let that happen.

I quickly change back into my street clothes. A long sleeved, blue, t-shirt with the word “Geek” written in calligraphy across the front, a pair of black harem pants and my favorite kitty cat flats. I don’t need to give Riven a reason to call me Miss Kitty, he does anyway, so I may as well embrace the nickname. For the next hour, I sit with Layla, Riven, and Barb on the bleachers, and we watch the remaining contestants perform for the crowd. Some of these girls are really good. So far, none of them has gotten the same response I got, but we’re being judged on skill, not favorites. After the last twirl of the last girl is completed, all the contestants are asked to line up for the reading of the winners. The music pumping out of the speakers and the chatter of a hundred voices is almost deafening. The MC starts off his announcements by settling the crowd down.

“Alright, alright everybody. This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. I’d like to start by saying a big thank you to Cara Quinn, the owner of Galaxy Fitness Club, for putting this competition together.” Cara stands off to the side and shyly waves at the crowd. “All of us at KPPB appreciate you hosting.” The MC snickers a little bit and continues his monologue. “When Cara asked me to host a Pole dancing competition, I thought I died and went to heaven. I mean what red blooded man would turn down that offer? We’ve had some fantastic ladies performing today, so without further ado, I’ll read the winners.” The crowd screams and claps in support of all the contestants. I quickly scan the crowd looking for a glimpse of Derrick, but can’t find him anywhere. I guess he left after my performance. “In first place with a cash prize of $5000 is…Sherri Duvall.” The crowd’s reaction to the winner is a little subdued as Sherri prowls over to the DJ booth to pose for photos, holding a giant, fake check for $5000. She strikes a few sexy poses with the MC and DJ as promotional shots for the radio station and a couple with Cara for the gym. We all clap our congratulations for her. She did do a sensational job. I can only hope, one day, to be as good as her. Once the crowd quiets down, the MC taps his microphone for everyone’s attention.

“So, we have our winner, but there was one contestant that stole the show today. The judging was based on skill, but this, young lady put her heart and soul into her dancing and won the respect of the crowd.” Me and the rest of the girls look at each other like ‘who is he talking about?’ “Amy Jenkins, come up to the DJ booth, please.” The audience gives a load roar of approval. My eyes must be bugging out of my head, that’s how surprised I am. Making my way to the DJ booth, I’m patted on the back by strangers and acquaintances giving me thumbs up. I can’t believe all these people are happy and supporting me. Switching the microphone to his left hand, the MC wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in for a side hug. “Here she is folks, Amy Jenkins. She’d definitely make me want to roar.” His joke makes the crowd laugh and I stand there waiting for the reason that he called me up. “So, Amy, we were so blown away by your performance, that all of us at KPPB wanted to give you a prize for doing such an outstanding job.”

“That’s not necessary,” I say into the microphone when he waves it front of my mouth.

“Oh, but, Amy, we do, we really do. Are you dying to know what it is?” He solicits.

“Um, yeah, sure.” Is my shy response. I’m busy wringing my hands together in nervousness when I look out into the crowd and find Derrick leaning in the doorway to the studio, arms crossed over his chest, staring at me. He gives me an encouraging smile.

“Amy, all of us at KPPB want to give you a special participation award for wowing the crowd. On behalf of Sinful Pleasures, a local adult boutique, we’d like to present you with your very own Stripper Pole. Yes, this easily installed pole lets you dance and strip,” he says with a flirty wink, “In the privacy of your home.” My own pole. That should go over real well with Pops when I ask him to install the thing in my room. I can’t deny, it is a nice gift, I wasn’t expecting anything after the winner was announced. I graciously thank the MC for my participation award and accept the heavy box containing my pole from the owner of Sinful Pleasures. Maybe Cara needs another pole for the practice studio; I can always donate it to the gym. The radio station asks me to take a few photos with the DJ and the MC and then with Sherri. The two winners today.