Title: Dignity
Author: Mandy

feedback: Fireangel2740@aol.com
Rating: PG-PG13
Category: WIP
Type: Alternate reality/Angst
Summary: Jason helps a girl (Courtney Matthews) he just met through her emotion pain and sad times and terrible job

Chapter 1

The street lights were beaming down on the side walk at Courtney Matthews. It was her fourth night in port Charles. She'd work and then go home and cry if someone didn't stalk her. She hated herself and her job, she would think back to what had caused her to do this job. Her father left when she was a teenager and her mom needed support and money. Courtney had to do this overnight for her. Her mother stopped talking to her and now there was no way out of the business. Her abusive boss and snotty co-workers made things a lot worse.

She made more money then she could handle. She would stare blankly at the street and watch speeding cars with drunken teenagers whistling from the inside at her. She and co-workers would wait till a rich guy willing to pay would buy their time. She needed the money but barely new the men. And the worse part was almost every time they were drunk and sometimes abusive. She learned to take care of herself that was the only way to get through her life. She would listen when people around her would call her the most beautiful thing but she didn't feel that way.

She thought about suicide a few times but had no intention of actually doing it. She made a few friends and fell in love but always got hurt. She learned to trust her instinct but she had to learn self-respect. She needed to be loved for who she is. She wanted to be treated like an equal and not some trophy to brag about and not some toy to use and use then break it or get tired of it and throw it away. She felt as if her world was falling apart every night she worked. Every night she slept with someone she didn't know made her want to die. She hated it but learned to leave herself at home and be that person at night. She knew the dangers of doing this but she always used protection every time. She got HIV tests done monthly and always they showed she was healthy as a horse. She was healthy but didn't feel healthy. She wanted to laugh and smile like a normal person and have friends and true love.

She was taught to always do what was told. But she was tired of always be told who to talk to, who to see, what to wear, and how to act. She wanted at least on day to be herself around people. She didn't want to be an image anymore. She wanted to be loved. She would ask her self why she couldn't be loved and then answer herself by saying because you are who you are. She didn't want to be alone anymore. Tears started rolling down her cheeks the more she thought. She made up enough excuses and taught herself to push people away before they go to close. It was better that way so she didn't get hurt.

Everyone would tell her how attractive she was. They would tell her she could get any guy she wanted. She could fall in love with anybody and make anybody fall in love with her. But she didn't want to make someone love her she wanted them to love her themselves. She would think to herself if that could ever happen. Or if she had to use her looks to get somebody. She just wanted self-respect and maybe someone who cared about her would teach her one of these days.

She walked over to the bench on the docks after her shift was over. She had to sit for a minute before she got herself over whelmed. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't here the footsteps coming towards her. The man was watching her and walked over to her. When he got to the bench he stopped. Courtney slowly turned her head to look at him. He was the most gorgeous thing she'd ever saw. And he thought she was the most beautiful angel. He finally spoke, "What are you doing out here by yourself, it's late"? He asked with concern. She stared into those beautiful blue eyes and said, "I have to be out here, I'm a hooker".

Feedback appreciated-it makes a writer write faster!

Note: I know there wasn't any Jason/Courtney stuff until the very end but this chapter was too start off the story and there will be Jason/Courtney in the next chapter!!!!