Anya arrived at the club, her heart heavy with anticipation and a tinge of unease she couldn’t quite place. The air buzzed with the usual pre-performance energy, a mix of excited chatter and music filtering through the corridors. As she walked towards her dressing room, she felt the familiar stares, some curious, others judgmental, and a few outright hostiles, from the other performers. Their whispers were sharp, meant to sting, but Anya had grown adept at ignoring them.
Shutting the door behind her, she took a deep breath and focused on preparing for her performance. The room was dimly lit, with a vanity mirror glowing softly. She applied her makeup with precision, each stroke transforming her into her on-stage persona, Star, the enigmatic dancer who captivated audiences.
As she was p
