Dexter: I care? I know I shouldn't, that I should just get over it but it's easier said than done I guess.
Dexter: I know, I know. I know. Trust me I do it's just idk, it's fucking scary to me is all, alright? It's not something I go out and do because I'm just uneasy with it all.
Storm: Well, that's why I'm going to be there with you so it doesn't have to be so scary
Storm: I'll even hold your hand, so long as you don't tell anyone about it otherwise I'll have to kill you
Storm: Baby steps, you know? I know you can do this
Dexter: Because it's just weird to me now. People go out to have drinks and listen to music and hangout and all of that stuff, and I can do the drinking with no problem.
Dexter: Just the whole hanging out bit that's really a pain bc signing and all of that shit just gets old after a bit and draws attention.
Dexter: I just don't like it.
Storm: Why should your communication 'get old'? And who the fuck cares if it draws attention? Those people are just fucking assholes who have nothing better to do if they feel the need to stare
Storm: You shouldn't let being deaf stop you from enjoying yourself, you have just as much right as anyone else to do whatever the fuck you want
Storm: And anyway, if signing is the problem, then just lip read? It won't be any different to us being in my room 'cause it'll only be me and you at a table
Storm: I don't wanna go to a bar to listen to music, I wanna go and drink some cocktails
Dexter: THEN WHY CAN'T WE JUST HANGOUT??? at yours, or like idk somewhere that's NOT A BAR.
Dexter: Do I have to shave my ass for this?
Dexter: bc if so I can't be bothered
Storm: BECAUSE I'M BORED OF JUST SITTING IN A ROOM, GETTING FAT AND THEN HAVING SEX
Storm: Why don't you like them? You shouldn't stop yourself from going out for a couple of drinks
Storm: It's not like it's gonna be some club where people are grinding on each other like literally getting some cocktails and sitting on a table together
Dexter: Or shopping. Bc that goes on for like 7 hours
Storm: MAYBE I JUST WANT YOU TO HANG OUT WITH ME
Storm: just
Storm: Let me be nice because it never fucking happens
Storm: It'll be fun, and if it's not and you hate it or feel uncomfortable then we can leave straight away and just go back to mine and chill and get pizza or something
A faint buzzing on the bedside table was enough to rouse Storm from her slumber. Groaning some, she glanced down to see an arm loosely wrapped around her and for a moment grew confused, that is until her gaze settled on the dark hair combed over a tattooed face. Usually she never stayed the night with Dexter, but tonight was an exception- if anything because she felt somewhat guilty for him to return to his dorm room where his roommate would probably give him an earful over the eveningâs events. Did she feel bad? Of course, deep down. Storm had never wanted for Elliot to become hurt, but she couldnât help to run her mouth which she knew made her look like a terrible person. Another part of her just wanted to prove that she was good enough to get the other man back into her bed, and there was some sort of satisfaction about having him sleeping beside her right in this moment.
Her phone continued to buzz, and thatâs when she realised it was one of those phone calls and she knew she would have to answer otherwise⌠well, she didnât want to think of the consequences. Despite knowing Dexter was deaf and the chances of him waking up were slim to none, Storm still took herself into the bathroom of her motel room, closing the door behind her. âHello?â She answered, voice husky from sleep. âHi, princess. I know itâs late, but thereâs a guy whoâs wanting you right this moment. Said heâll pay top dollar, Iâm guessing heâs drunk and just needs a little something but I couldnât turn him down. Even with the fifty-fifty cut, youâre looking at three hundred bucks. Sound good to you?â Storm barely had time to register those words, but she clung to the amount of money that was being offered and whilst she knew she could never turn a job down regardless, at least it meant she had enough money to maybe even treat herself to something special. âGive me twenty minutes, okay?â She whispered, keeping the phone to one ear as her other hand opened up the cupboard in front where her collection of makeup lined each shelf. âI need to get ready, tell him that itâll be worth the wait.â She said, and the man on the other end of the phone chuckled some, before giving an address to a hotel, explaining which room to go to. âOkay, got it. Iâll try to be as quick as I can.â
Storm sighed as she hung up the call, placing the phone onto the edge of the basin in front. Staring at themselves in the mirror, she shook her head at the reflection. She couldnât believe that this was what she had sunk to, just to earn a little scrape of cash. As she dabbed foundation across her cheeks and forehead, she wondered how different her life could have been if her parents hadnât decided she was disgusting for just being who she was. Maybe sheâd even be in school, studying for something worthwhile, living in an actual home with dinner cooked every night, filling the air with gorgeous smells. Instead of staring at the same four walls with peeling wallpaper, a damp smell and the sounds of couples arguing and kids screaming. How did she end up like this? And yet, as she powdered her face and begun to circle her eyes with a burnt orange eyeshadow, the moment her mask began to take shape, the less she cared. The confidence she grew when she turned into someone else, this gorgeous powerful woman who didnât care, rather than the timid, shy boy who thought very little of themselves. Storm added a spot of black in the centre of her eyelid, smudging it some for a grungier effect that quickly added some depth to her face. Her brows were still intact from earlier, she never bothered to rub them off and only a quick little touch up was needed. A few swipes of contour on the cheeks, a little dash of sparkling highlight and she was ready to go. Well, almost. Quietly, she padded back into the room where her wig sheâd worn the day previous was hanging over the back of a chair. Fetching a little glue, she rimmed the edge of it before securing her own hair back and tugging the faux hair on. She couldnât be certain that it wouldnât be pulled, so she needed to be sure it would be secure. As she fumbled around, looking for a change of clothes (as she doubted turning up in a Motley Crue t-shirt was going to go down well), she heard Dexter stirring from the bed. Fuck.
Storm quietly tiptoed over to where Dexter was lying, perching on the edge beside him. Softly, she combed her fingers through his hair to try and coax him back into a deep slumber, and when satisfied, she leant over to press her lips against his cheek. She could only hope that sheâd return before he woke up, and then she could slide into bed and act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Maybe even tease him for staying over and make a joke that they werenât a couple. Yeah, something like that.
Pulling on a coat over her skimpy outfit, Storm quickly organised for an Uber to pick her up â it was far safer than a standard cab â before sliding into a pair of six-inch heeled boots. A check over in the mirror and she was satisfied, just a little swipe of red lipstick and she was out the door. Clambering into the cab, the journey was longer than sheâd imagined it to be but she knew the end goal would be worth it once she had the cash in her hand. She thanked the driver, before making her way inside the hotel and giving a small nod to the person on the desk. The elevator took her up to the thirteenth floor and before she even relayed the door number back to herself, she realised she neednât have done because the sound of drunk men laughing and jeering made it obvious where she was heading. This wasnât just the one man. This was⌠hell, she didnât know how many. But, she was here to do a job. Pushing all fears aside, Storm strut her way down the hall to the room, taking a deep breath before knocking against it several times. The door swung open, a balding man with shoulders three times the size of her stood directly in front, and Storm just smiled sweetly before saying hushed tone, âYour slutâs arrived.â