My Brother’s Best Friend

I looked in the mirror, my eyes searching over myself. This was the first time I was going out to party with my best friend. My adult life up until this point has been riddled with pain, abuse, and misery. I have been in therapy for the past two years, and now that I was beginning to feel more like a human being, I decided that I would let Charolette take me out for my 26th birthday. I was anxious as I waited for her to show up. I had carefully curled my hair, pulling the top back and into a half updo. I left out my curtain bangs and curled them back away from my face. My hair was long, reaching down to the top of my butt. It was the color of a dark chocolate bar. My skin was pale, and littered with light freckles. I was still in my robe, getting ready to go pick something out to wear when Charolette walked into my bathroom. “You look amazing Maisy!” She smiled brightly. “Your Smokey makeup will look perfect with this dress I bought you for your birthday!” She thrusted a bag into my arms and grinned from ear to ear. “You didn’t have to get me anything Charolette, you’re already taking me out for my birthday!” Smiling softly I opened the bag, and quickly slipped on the dress she got for me. This dress was stunning, but definitely not my style. It was a skin tight black dress. There was a slit that went from my mid thigh, up to my hip. The front was a deep v neck, that went down to my belly button. It was basically backless, with some pearls that draped across the back from side to side. I studied myself once again, I looked different, more like a woman than I usually did. I smiled, and turned to her. “It’s beautiful.. but I can see my bra and panties..” I chuckled. “Then ditch them!” She laughed, her eyes snapping to the back of my dress. She turned me around undoing my bra. “Take it off, and ditch the undies for one night! I will too!” She smirked, removing her own underwear and tossing them into the bin. I giggled, and decided to go along with it. Charolette had a way of making you want to follow her lead. She had her pale blonde hair tied in a high pony, and she wore a short, tight dress, that was the color of bubblegum. She grabbed a container from my bedroom and opened it up, showing me a pack of Jell-O shots. “I got us a six pack! So two now, and four in the limo!” She opened up two of the shots, handing one to me. I downed it quickly, and laughed. “Alright, now let’s go before I change my mind!” I said practically running for the door. I grabbed my strapped black high heels and tossed them on, lacing them up my ankles. I grabbed my bag, and we made our way out of our apartment and down to the limo that was waiting for us. Once we were in, I turned to Charolette. “How did you even get us into this nightclub?” I asked. “Isn’t tonight the grand opening, and isn’t it supposed to be highly exclusive?” “I know a guy who knows a guy!” She laughed, shrugging me off. “I wanted to make tonight extra special for you! This is the first time you’ve gotten out since Phillip..” she whispered softly. “I don’t know exactly what happened in your relationship, but I do remember how broken you were after. You’ve stuck with therapy, and taking yours meds.. I want tonight to be special, but also safe for you! This place is super exclusive, and it has a great security team! You’re going to be safe, hopefully feel comfortable, and have a great time!” She smiled brightly. I smiled softly back to her, I love her for trying to get me out of my bubble. It’s true that I’ve stayed indoors mostly throughout these past two years. I’ve not seen much of my family, mostly because they’re overbearing and super protective. I know that if I were in a room with them for too long, and someone asked what happened, I’d probably tell them, it would be a bloodbath. I couldn’t allow my family to know my shame, or to try to take justice into their own hands. I left Phillip, and I got help for my trauma, it’s what I needed to do, and I did it. The last thing I want, or need is my parents, or my big brother Ethan taking matters into their own hands. “I’m glad you brought me out.” I looped my arm in hers and smiled brightly at her. “You’re an absolutely amazing friend and I am beyond grateful for you!” “Awe! May May!” She grinned. “I’m so glad you’re letting me do this! I’m so happy that we’re finally going out together! Especially going clubbing, this will an absolutely amazing night! I promise you’re going to have a blast!” I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the two of us together and sent it to my brother. “Finally going out, this outfit gives me anxiety, but Charolette is definitely on top of things!” I sent the message and smiled at my phone as he quickly replied. “You two look great, but way too much cleavage! Don’t show mom or dad, they’d want to stitch it up for you!” He sent back, with five laughing emojis. “Always the overprotective parents!” I sent back, with four laughing emojis. “I’ll text you when I make it home, love you E” “Love you too sis! Have fun, stay safe!” He wrote back. I put my phone away into my bag as we pulled up in front of the club. The door opened for us, and flashing camera’s zipped around us as we made our way to the door. “Names..” the bouncer said coldly as we walked to the door. “Charolette Green, and Maisy O’Neil!” She jeered. The man checked the list, before smiling up at us and opening a velvet rope. “Have a wonderful time ladies!”