DRUSCILLA
"Oh my goodness, Druscilla! You look absolutely breathtaking in this dress!" Avery's voice bubbled over with excitement as she clasped her hands dramatically.
I couldn't help the blush that spread across my cheeks. My gaze lingered on the mirror, drinking in the reflection that hardly felt like mine. The gown was everything I had ever dreamed of—white as fresh snow, the sweetheart neckline glittering with delicate diamonds that cascaded down to the waistline. It cinched my waist so perfectly I could barely believe it, and the slit climbing up my thigh revealed just enough of my legs to feel daring without being scandalous.
It was the kind of gown little girls dreamed about when they clutched their pillowcase veils and pretended to marry their dolls. My heart swelled.
"Kaila, you outdid yourself," I turned to my cousin, who was beaming like an artist admiring her finest masterpiece. Kaila wasn't just family; she was one of the most talented designers I knew, and I had sworn years ago that she would be the one to create my wedding gown when I finally married my college sweetheart.
"You're welcome, sweetheart," she replied warmly, fingers nimble as she helped me ease out of the dress.
"Please, Cilia," Avery suddenly begged, her hazel eyes wide, her lips pushed into a pout I knew too well. "Can I try it on? Just once?"
I arched a brow. My wedding dress? Really?
"I only want to see how I'd look in it," she added quickly, tilting her head, giving me the puppy-dog face she had perfected since kindergarten. Avery was my best friend, my other half. People often mistook us for sisters because we were so inseparable.
I sighed, the corner of my lips tugging upward. "Alright. But only because you look like you'll burst if I say no."
"Yay! Thank you, Cilia!" Avery squealed, reaching out eagerly.
Before she could touch it, Kaila snatched the gown from my hands with a sharp shake of her head.
"No way. You can't wear it," Kaila said firmly, her designer instincts bristling. "It's bad luck for the bride. Don't tempt fate."
I almost laughed. "Oh, come on, Kaila. I don't believe in those old superstitions. Avery means no harm—she's like a sister to me."
"Yes, Kaila," Avery added, batting her lashes. "I promise I'll be careful. I just want to feel it on me."
Kaila groaned, but I finally pressed the gown into Avery's arms.
"Thank you, bestie!" Avery gasped dramatically, clutching the dress as though it were a sacred relic.
Kaila and I exchanged a look as Avery wriggled into it, the fabric pulling a little tighter over her figure. She spun before the mirror with all the glee of a child at Christmas.
"Oh la la! This dress looks divine on me!" she twirled, nearly tripping over the hem. "Can't you see, girls? It was made for me."
I chuckled softly, while Kaila rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might stay that way.
Avery pressed her hands dreamily over her chest. "I can already imagine myself walking down the aisle, all eyes on me…"
"Stop fantasizing, Cinderella," Kaila cut her off with a snap, arms folded. "Get out of that gown before you ruin it."
Avery scoffed, wrinkling her nose. "Yes, Mum."
"I ain't your mother, spoiled brat," Kaila shot back.
Their bickering was constant—like fire and gasoline—but it always made me laugh. Sometimes I wondered how I survived being the bridge between those two. One was my cousin, the other my best friend, and both were hell-bent on disagreeing about everything.
Avery finally peeled off the gown and handed it back to me with a grin.
I noticed Avery's pendant was exactly like the one I wore . A heart shaped pendant . The very type Isaac gifted me with a customized keyhole inside it .
"Where did you get that? I asked ,unable to get my mind off it .
Avery smiled , touching the necklace tenderly. "Oh ..I...I got it from my boyfriend", she stuttered. "After I saw it on you , I asked my boyfriend to get me one".
"Interesting". I rolled my eyes. "Are we twins now? I asked with a chuckle.
"Kinda", Avery said.
But I couldn't let it go. Why does she always get whatever she sees on me? I know it doesn't mean anything ,but it's just too much.
Ever since high school, Avery had copied everything I did. Maybe it was just friendship—but in our final year, she went too far.She dyed her hair red like mine and put on blue contacts. All our classmates were stunned. Most said she's jealous of me ? Is she truly jealous of me?
"Alright girls , stop the questions already Kaila's voice broke into my thoughts. She pulled me closer . "Come babe ! I have a surprise for you", she announced, her eyes glowing with a mischievous wink
"What surprise?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Her lips curved slyly. "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise. You'll just have to walk into it."
I narrowed my eyes, amused. "Fine. I'll play along."
She reached into her oversized handbag, pulling out three glossy cards with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"Girls!" she called, flashing the cards. "We're going to Mi Amor Casa for a proper bachelorette party."
My jaw dropped. "Oh my gosh!"
Avery practically leapt. "Yes! Let's go shake this city up!"
---
Thirty minutes later, the three of us stepped into the largest club in town.
Mi Amor Casa was alive—music throbbed from every speaker, neon lights spun across the dance floor, and laughter mingled with the bass that shook the ground beneath us.
I froze for a moment, stunned. This was my first time in a club. I was no party girl—never had been. I preferred quieter joys: books, tea, long walks in the garden. But Kaila and Avery? They were the wild ones, the sparks that could set any night aflame.
"This skirt is so short," I muttered, tugging self-consciously at the hem of the black leather mini they had forced me into. The matching butterfly blouse hugged me in ways I wasn't used to, and the knee-high boots gave me a gothic vibe I'd never dared explore.
"Stop fussing," Avery shouted over the music, strutting ahead in a scandalously tight bodycon dress that barely contained her curves. "You look hot!"
Kaila was all glitter and glamour in a shimmering red gown, hips swaying as she led the way.
We squeezed through the writhing bodies on the dance floor until we reached the VIP section and collapsed into the plush couches.
"Wow," I breathed, wide-eyed, taking in the flashing lights, the pulsing rhythm, the sheer energy of the place. My body instinctively swayed to the beat.
Kaila signaled for drinks, and soon trays of shots were set before us.
"Tonight, we drink till we drop!" Avery hollered, lifting her glass.
"To Druscilla!" they both cried in unison, clinking their glasses against mine.
"To me," I echoed with a laugh, tapping my glass before downing the shot.
The liquid burned like fire, searing my throat. I coughed violently, fanning my mouth. "Holy hell! People drink this for fun?"
"Easy, girl," Avery laughed, rubbing my back.
Kaila, already two shots in, stumbled off toward the stage, snatching a microphone from the DJ.
"Yoo, y'all!" she bellowed, her voice blasting through the speakers.
I cringed, covering my ears. Trust Kaila to make a scene.
The music stopped. The crowd froze. All eyes turned to her.
"I've got a very special announcement," she declared, grinning wildly.
My arms folded over my chest as I watched with a mixture of dread and affection.
"Tonight, we're celebrating my amazing cousin's bachelorette party!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. My chest tightened. Tears pricked at my eyes. My last night as a single woman.
"But that's not all," Kaila added. "Today also happens to be her birthday!"
My mouth fell open. My birthday. I'd forgotten. I'd been so consumed with wedding plans that the date had slipped right past me.
"Druscilla!" Kaila called, hand outstretched. "Come up here!"
Panic spiked in my chest. I wasn't made for stages or spotlights. My feet rooted to the floor.
"Go, Druscilla! Go!" the crowd chanted, clapping rhythmically.
I swallowed hard, my vision blurring as tears welled. I had never been given so much attention in my life.
"Go on," Avery nudged me gently.
With shaky legs, I climbed the stage. Kaila wrapped me in a tight hug.
"Happy birthday, cousin," she whispered.
"Thank you," I murmured, my tears spilling freely now. Call me a crybaby, I didn't care. My emotions always lived on my sleeve, and right now, my heart felt so full.
The fact that Kaila had remembered touched me more than words could say. Isaac hadn't even called today. Maybe he was just too busy with wedding preparations, I told myself. Still, it stung.
Just then, men in crisp white shirts carried a towering cake onto the stage.
"Wow! You even got me a cake?" I gasped.
Kaila frowned. "That's not from me."
"Then it must be Isaac," I said quickly, my heart lifting. "He must've arranged it."
"Of course," Kaila smiled knowingly. "He's such a sweet fiancé."
Warmth spread in my chest. Maybe Isaac hadn't forgotten after all.
The crowd sang. My name glowed in icing: Happy Birthday, Druscilla. Welcome to Chapter 22 on Earth.
Kaila handed me the knife. "Cut it on the last letter of your name."
The crowd spelled it out—D-R-U-S-C-I-L-L-A—and I sliced into the cake.
Cheers erupted. But as I withdrew the knife, something caught my eye. Buried inside the layers of cake was a brown envelope.
My brow furrowed. Why would Isaac hide an envelope inside a cake? My pulse quickened as I tugged it free, frosting smearing my fingers.
"What's that?" Kaila asked curiously.
"I don't know… maybe Isaac left me a surprise," I whispered, my chest fluttering with nervous excitement.
"Wow, that's thoughtful," Kaila smiled.
Hands trembling, I tore open the envelope. My eyes landed on its contents. My stomach dropped.
The cheers faded into a dull roar. My palms grew clammy. I couldn't breathe.
What I saw inside made my world spin.