( P A R A D I S E )

–– It was a good idea at the time, but now having been FACED with her first dare – she wasn’t too sure. Swallowing thickly, the blonde scanned over the screen, rendering the ILLUMINATING words that read: KISS A STRANGER FOR FIVE SECONDS, $100, REJECT OR ACCEPT. Her knuckles were on the brink of turning white that’s how UNEASY she felt. “I can’t do it. I can’t do it.” She muttered to her friend as they tiptoed around the 24 Hour Diner, surveying the area for a POSSIBLE candidate. So far, there had been a scarce selection –– it was either a grimy waiter, a family man, an old lady or one of the five rambunctious sixteen year olds causing commotion in the back. Her mouth grew dry and before she knew it, she spotted HIM ( after her friend pointed him out that is ). She peered at her phone once more, going back and forth from the REJECT and ACCEPT until a manicured finger tapped accept. “HERE –” she exhaled a breath and passed the device to her friend, casually glancing back at them as she neared the stranger’s table. A rush of ADRENALINE coursed through her veins and all she could remember was the touch of her lips against his. Not only did it feel like the LONGEST five seconds of her life, but it had probably been one of the BEST. In fact, she didn’t want them to end. She finally pulled away and remained silent, mismatched hues gazing into his. “Uh –– I – I have to go. Please don’t press any charges.” Shadia sheepishly slid out of the booth, “BYE.” She slowly backed up and nearly knocked the waitress’ tray out of her hand on the way. “Sorry – my bad, sorry – LEAVING.” And with that she QUICKLY dashed out the door. “Hey, wait up!” She called out for her friend, several strides ahead of her, “SORRY Shay, I have a curfew – my mom’s gonna KILL me. See ya!” Shadia lunged forward to catch her phone mid-air and watched as her friend disappeared into the parking lot. God what did she get herself INTO.

–– The plush blanket her body lay upon felt like a CLOUD, the grass beneath it just as soft. She’d been laying there, tucked away in the spot they’d often sneak away to in the dead of night. Sometimes they’d watch the stars other they’d SPILL their WOES to one another and there would be even nights where they didn’t even speak at all. Just being with him, being in his PRESENCE was enough. That’s all she’d ever wanted. Despite his gaze fixated on the stark MIDNIGHT sky, hers remained focused on him. She studied his profile, SILENTLY admiring every minuscule detail from the ridge of his nose to his protruding lips –– GOD she just wanted to FEEL them pressed against her own just ONCE. But they were friends and that’s what they’d always be just FRIENDS. Caught up in her own thoughts, body pumping with oxytocin, she let the words slip and before she could grab them they’d already been said. “I’m so in love with you.” Her tone was soft, unrealized, as she let her lips press together. Despite the weight being LIFTED off of her chest just like that, she still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that she’d just CONFESSED something she’d kept to herself for so damn long.

–– The blonde strutted forward on cue, CENTER stage before the beat of the song slowly started to resonate throughout the GENTLEMEN’S club. Slender fingers slid along the stainless steel until she brought her palm to grip the pole. Movements were FLUENT, small METICULOUS steps guided her in a perfect circle allowing those around her to soak in the view of her SCANTILY clad body. All eyes were on her, like a predator STALKING it’s prey yet she couldn’t seem to pry her glances away from a particular TARGET. The girl strayed away from the pole and found herself STEERING down the runway, conquering the small set of stairs illuminated by deep RED neon lights. Hands tried to glide over her supple skin, but she’d moved QUICK enough to fight their DESPERATION. She didn’t stop until she was in front of him, MISMATCHED hues ( not so shyly ) eyeing him up before a single hand flattened against his chest, ushering him to lean back COMFORTABLY. No words were said, but it was EVIDENT Shadia’s intentions were rather, TAUNTING. She nudged his legs open until she’d welcomed herself into the open space, hands now BRACING against his upper thighs before she SENSUALLY rolled her hips until she’d been eye level to his waistline. She picked herself back up and repeated the movement, only this time her back had been towards him, GOLDEN locks cascading down her back.

–– She walked in with a fresh face and a SMILE, latched to her new boyfriend’s arm as he paraded around the place ( girls fawning over him and guys high-fiving him like he was some CELEBRITY ). What might’ve been HEAVEN for him was HELL for her. In fact, Shadia didn’t even WANT to be there because she knew the SECOND he came across his friends, he’d make some excuse to STRAY away and join them without even asking for her to tag along –– and by them, it was always HIM, his friends, and a select few of UTTERLY alluring girls. She was aware of his tendencies, his HOT-HEAD and narcissistic demeanor, but she was only with him to fill a VOID; whether she liked to admit that or not. And just as she assumed, he muttered his ‘be right back’ and disappeared into the crowd of DRUNKEN bodies. Exhaling a sigh, the blonde found her place SECLUDED from the rest of the partygoers and IMMEDIATELY took out her phone, hoping to keep herself occupied until she’d have to RELUCTANTLY carry out her INEBRIATED boyfriend.

SHADIA: word on the street is you’re havin a kegger tonight SHADIA: and by word i mean had to hear it from some dude in com class SHADIA: the real question is –– where was my invite? SHADIA: your frat bros wouldn’t do me dirty like this SHADIA: if i don’t come, zeta doesn’t come lmao bye

SHADIA: 4+ hours of press and an hour and a half of fan interaction later... SHADIA: i’m dead, i won’t make it, go on without me SHADIA: or you could come over and cuddle with me ;) SHADIA: we can watch a movie, i’ll let you choose this time!! SHADIA: and if you’re lucky we can even kiss a lil 

–– Shadia was anxious, extremely ANXIOUS, as she waited to find out who her mystery partner was. It sounded like a good idea when she first signed up. After all, if there was one thing she loved more than her profession, it was dancing. She wasn’t necessarily the WORST, but she wasn’t necessarily the BEST either; the point was, she felt as though the opportunity would be a good one for her. Granted it was going to be a FUN experience, she knew that it was a competition as well. And that meant she’d do just about anything to make her partner proud –– that is, if she got stuck with a GOOD, respectable one. Fidgeting with the microphone practically embedded into her SEQUIN dress, she waited. “Is he COMING? He’s probably stuck in traffic, right? Or are you guys PURPOSELY waiting it out just to get me going?” She teased with the camera crew that sat a few feet away from her, lens focused on her before she felt the abrupt tap on her shoulder. FINALLY the anticipation that led up to this very moment had burst through the seams, the actress shooting up from her spot on the bench, bracing herself to turn around.