I own nothing in this chapter or the chapters to come. Welcome to the universe of AU.

I look up at the flashing neon lights. I give a sigh. Everything in me is telling me to run. Everything's screaming "You're better than this!" Am I? I'm here aren't I? That must mean that I'm not better than this. I'm here standing in the parking lot about to go in.

I'm really gonna do this when I have a girlfriend that loves a me and a top school that accepted me. I have a car and a house. No Miley. Don't talk yourself out of this. You have to do this. For her. For the love of your life. You have to provide for her. You have to protect her. If you don't do this than you'll lose everything. Your car, your house, your schooling, and your girl. They'll all be gone.

I have to make this god-forsaken decision, too early if at all. I'm twenty-two. Some say I'm just a baby and others say I'm old enough to suck it up. So tell me, if I do this, will this make me a responsible adult or just a stupid child?

I look at the huge building before me. She would leave me if she found out I was doing this. But she would leave me if I didn't.

What happened to me? What happened to my life? It was perfect. I had the American dream. I had the life that knew nothing of this… this building. This lifestyle was unheard of. This was never thought of.

I was raised so much better than this. I was raised by two amazing people. Two people who were proud of me till their last breath. My mom went peacefully in her sleep after two long years of battling breast cancer. I was sixteen. I knew it would happen eventually but I still wasn't ready when it did.

I was holding my father's hand when he went two years ago. My mom always told him that smoking would be the end of him if he didn't quit. She was right. I sat with him for hours as he struggled to breathe. I could see life leaving him. His eyes were slowly losing their color. When it came down to it, I had to tell him that it was okay to let go. I told him I would be ok. I told him that I loved him. He nodded. He knew just as well as I did that it was time to go. The last thing he said to me was "Go far". I tried. And now I'm here.

It was supposed to be easier than this. I had my girlfriend by my side through both my parents' deaths. She held me when I needed to cry. She chased all the nightmares away. She took care of me. I made it my goal to take care of her after that. I have been. I've taken care of her. I bought a house and she moved in a year ago. I pay for everything and make sure she has what she needs.

She started out as my best friend. We did everything together. We were like sisters from the time we were six to fourteen. When we were fourteen, we told each other that we weren't in to guys. Two months later we we're swallowing each other's faces on my bed. A year after that I told her I loved her and she said she loved me. We were in love and weren't planning on breaking up any time after that.

We made love for the first time when we were fifteen. We were fighting about something stupid and went on about it for hours. Finally, in the midst of screaming at each other, our lips collided. We devoured each other, biting scratching, pulling, pushing. It was the best night of my life. We got promise rings and are still together today. I haven't asked her to marry me yet. I'm still working on it. I have to buy a ring, which costs money that I don't have.

That's why I'm here. All my inheritance is gone. I don't have time for a full-time day job. I don't even have time for a part-time day job.

So, that's why I'm here, in the middle of the night, for a job. The pay will let me keep my house, my car, my school and my girl. After a couple of months I'll be able to buy her a ring. I'll be able to pay for our wedding. I'll be able to support her and take care of her forever.

We'll have kids, a dog, and a yard. We'll have the life that I lost. I'll make sure my family will never be faced with a decision like this one.

Just a little while… that's all. I'll only be here for a little while then I'll be free. I'll get what I need then I'll go. I'll go back to my life and forget all about this place.

"You here for a job too?" I hear. I look to my left and see a dark haired girl looking at me.

"Maybe. Why should I tell you?" I say defensively.

"Whoa, don't get your panties in a twist… really, they'll fire you for that. You don't look like the type of person who would come here. I'm just saying, you're the fifth one tonight looking for a job." She says.

"Why does it matter if I'm here for one or not?" I snap.

"Honey, you don't got it. Believe me, they've got allot of shit going on in there and you don't got what it takes to handle it. Do you even know who owns this place? They'll eat you alive." She says then walks off.

As much as I want to prove her wrong, I know she's right. I don't have what it takes and I don't belong here. Hell, I can't even walk in. I'm just standing in the parking lot. If that doesn't say anything than I don't know what does.

I need to do this. I need to do this now. I look back up at the sign. Saber tooth Gatehouse, it reads. Here I am, Miley Stewart, standing in front of the world's biggest strip club and home to over 72 prostitutes.

…

Hello… A.Y.P. here. Slow? Yes. Short? Very. It's only the first chapter (longer chapters promised) so detail and insight will be added with the chapters to come. See? Just the introduction. For now we just know that Miley is having issues and resorts to this way of life. Tell me what you think so far.

A.Y.P.