"𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍
𝚠𝚎'𝚛𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚢𝚗𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚝
***
𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎
𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎"

---

I don't exaggerate often. Partly due to the fact that I don't see any point in over-emphasising a point that is most likely written all over your face.

But in case my face wasn't communicating well enough, I complain loudly, "Astrid, we've been in the mall for like three years now!"

"Oh, hush," she chides, distracted by the sparkly, sequined dresses hanging on the shop floors, "we still haven't found you a dress."

Oh yes, I might have forgotten to let you know of a small tidbit detail. Well, you might remember how I confessed my undying love for my twin precisely two hours and forty minutes ago, and maybe I take it back.

Right before we arrived at the mall, she faced me, showcasing her tear stained cheeks and watery eyes. Then in the quietest, most broken voice I've ever heard she said, "I don't want to be alone tonight."

I was pretty sure my heart shattered into a billion pieces right then. "You won't be Astrid, I'll be with you all night, I promise."

"Really, so you'll be my date to our eighteenth birthday bash?"

Right then and there, with a scowl etched onto my face, I conjured my magic duct tape of doom and stuck together every single fragment of my heart back together. Leave it to my very own sister, to guilt trip me into a high school party - the bane of my life.

Not since eighth grade, when - no I'd rather not talk about that night. Never again, I'd sworn to myself. And now I was breaking five year old promises for five second old ones.

Fast forward two hours and forty-one minutes, I sit on the hard, metal stool that I've been sitting on for what feels like years and frankly, my ass feels like it's being sand-papered. "I don't need a dress, Astrid! I have perfectly good jeans!"

She tuts again. "I understand how you feel about social gatherings, Teagan, but this is our eighteenth birthday. We're adults!" Then she throws me a long, hard glance, "Besides you promised."

Ugh, don't remind me. "Fine, but hurry up."

"As you wish, birthday girl."

A few agonising moments later, she reappears holding the most brutally gorgeous dress I've ever seen in my life. She sees it on my face, and grins.

"That would look awful on me!" I exclaim, still entranced by the glimmer of crystals on the gold material.

"I know, right?" Astrid shoots me a knowing look, like she knows exactly what I mean.

To be honest, I don't think I know what I mean. I give the dress a once over guiltily. "I... can't."

"Yes you can! You crazy girl, it will look amazing on you," she gushes, excitement emphasising her every syllable, "and it even matches with my dress! What are you waiting for? Go try it one!"

I hesitate, and then snatch it out of her grasp, not before I drop a grateful kiss on her flushed cheek.

Vanishing behind the curtain of the changing cubicle, I waste no time in shimmying out of my sweats to try on the glittering gown. I discard my bra, seeing that it was low-cut. I step into it, my heart racing beneath my pale skin. What if I look repulsive... or worse, what if I accidentally rip it? It is no secret that Astrid was slimmer, more slender than my fuller frame. What if it doesn't fit?

Taking a deep breath, I spin around to glance at the tall mirror. And immediately lose that breath. It... fits. The dress is a pale gold floor-length gown, beaded with intricate swarovski crystals. It clings around my wide hips, emphasising the curves in all the right places. The cleavage is low-cut, reaching my waistline, and the slight padding in the bodice holds my breasts up as a bra would. However, my favourite element of the masterpiece is without doubt the arms, that are loose and hangs past by wrists like a free flowing waterfall. It hides the scars, of the thousands of needles and IVs that sank into my skin, like teeth. It hides the green-blue veins that visibly snake up my arms. It is sheer but enough to hide the bruising of my blood beneath my paper skin, as my cells attack each other. It is enough.

Tentatively, I peer out from behind the curtain and find that Astrid is looking right at me, nervously. Then, I step out and hear several breaths stutter. My cheeks heat up when I realise that I had an audience, of store assistants and other customers. I didn't ask for this attention, I don't want it. Suddenly, the prospect of showing up at the party in this begins to make me feel queasy.

I hurry to rush back into the cubicle, but Astrid steps forward and embraces me. "Beautiful things don't ask for attention," she whispers into my ear.

The warmth of her breath reassures me of two things:

a) she understands my discomfort, and wants me to get over it and

b) with her by my side, maybe I could... get over it.

She giggles and twirls me around with my index finger, and I can't help but laugh along with her. The moths is my stomach have fallen to ashes, and everything will be alright.

"I officially have the hottest date to the party!"

I nudge her. "Shush. What about Sam?"

She goes pink, and she doesn't even need to say it. I understand.

"In that case, I'll try my hardest to be the best rebound you have ever had," I grin, pleased that the embarrassed guilt is wiped off her face.

"Y-yeah!" she agrees, somewhat hesitantly, and lets me back into the changing room. "Teagan, I need to t- no never mind, get dressed."

As I slip my shirt back on, I hear her mischievous voice call out, "Oh, and BTW, we're getting two dresses. Come and choose your second."

In the next second, I am pretty sure that the entire store heard my incoherent, frustrated grumbling.

***

"So you understand, right? The plan," Astrid asks for the millionth time.

"Yes!" I answer again and repeat it back to her for peace of mind, "We arrive, stay at the first venue for three hours, socialise blah, blah, eat dinner and get to the nightclub by eleven, and then you come home with me when I ask you to."

That last bit was my end of the deal: the second I begin to feel overwhelmed we left. It was deal or no deal, and she agreed after few protests.

She smiles in relief. Should I be offended? I'm not that dumb.

We are sitting in the limousine, and Dad is on the phone.

"Girls, don't break my trust. You go and leave together. No ifs, no buts. Got it?" he questions. I grin. He isn't even trying to hide the humour in his voice. Way to be a strict parent, Dad!

But nonetheless, Astrid and I both chorus, "Got it!"

Then, she takes the phone off speaker and puts it to her ears after I bend over to tie the strap of my clear panel heels.

I feel her scrutinising gaze burning into the back of my head, but when I look up, she looks anywhere but at me. She's still talking to Dad. I can't hear anything except for the murmur of his deep voice.

After saying "I will, Dad, I promise", she ends the call. I guess she was lectured on her partying habits and I don't ask because I get that Astrid is sensitive about these things. That is fine by me. Everyone has their demons.

Minutes later, hands clasped together, we exit the vehicle and immediately flashing cameras blind us. But the crowd parts for us like the Red Sea and we take deliberate slow steps along the red carpet towards the venue.

And then we're inside, and I can breathe. Woah, Dad did not go easy on publicity.

Astrid squeezes my hand, comfortingly. I look at her and smile, squeezing back. She's here by my side, and that's all that matters.

To my annoyance, the Exes are quick to sidle up beside us, and look me over several times.

"Oh my gosh," Lex screeches, "is that you Teagy?"

It takes all my restraint to not claw my eardrums out at the shrill sound. If that's what I have to hear, then I'd rather not. Also, I hope you understand that that horrifically humiliating nickname is being used without my consent.

"Yeah," I shrug dismissively, hoping she takes the hint.

Apparently, she does not. "Wow, you look... different."

"Gee, thanks."

Astrid, noticing the slight smugness in Alexandra's voice, is quick to put an end to her annoying antics. Anyway, what the hell is she trying to say?

"Well, Lex, can't say the same for you," she snorts, "Isn't that the same dress you wore your aunt's funeral. Tailoring the material doesn't change the dress, babes. You should've come to me if you needed inspiration."

It's impossible to not grin at my twin's effortless words, and they're enough to hush the glowering minion.

"T, you want a drink?" She turns to me, pulling me away from the Exes and I'm so grateful.

Astrid can be quite pushy, and definitely ignorant at times, but right now, she's acting like the best sister in the world. Like my guardian angel.

"Yeah, sure." We leave Becks and Lex gaping at our backs, but not before I toss each of them a smug smirk. Ha, bitches, take that.

Okay... so now what? I never really understood what 'socialising' meant, and now, looking around the freshly shaved or elegantly caked faces, I'm still at a loss.

But I still have my arm in Astrid's and as long as she doesn't abandon me, we should be fine.

"Come, Teagan, meet the gang."

There was a gang? Honestly, I thought Astrid only hung out with Rebecca and Alexandra because I never really saw her that much at the Academy. However, as she leads me to a fairly large group, I realise that I was wrong.

I hope no one noticed me gulp, as we approach the laughing boys and girls.

My sister clears her throat, and contrary to what I thought would happen, no one notices.

She does it again, and waits. One by one, each member of 'the gang' glances at her slyly before continuing what they were doing.

I see her grin quickly, before she picks up a cushion from the black velvet sofa and hurls it at the closest person.

"Ouch!" the victim exclaims. It's a guy with caramel skin and dark eyes. He makes a comical expression, dramatically reaching his hands to touch his head where the pillow had hit him and then falls back onto the sofa.

I shatter my quiet exterior to giggle. I know right, even I'm speechless. Did I just do the g-word? I knew this party was a bad idea...

Astrid looks at me and her lips quirk up. Then, she looks at the group, who finally pay her attention, including the wounded corpse on the sofa, and grins. "Stop ignoring me, idiots! Anyways, guys, you know Teagan, my doppelganger-" I'm quick to elbow her ribs. "-I mean, twin." Next, she faces me and introduces them as "the gang" again.

How very helpful, Astrid.

I smile back at the welcoming faces, and give them a small wave. "Hi." Instantly, I know I like them. They knew how to have fun, and did not just sip at their champagne or talk quietly among themselves, like the other 'beautiful' people. They were loud, careless and trouble-makers. I like them.

The 'corpse' on the sofa suddenly springs back to life. "What a great intro, Astrid! Honestly, we're flattered," he says sarcastically before looking at me. "Hey, Teagan, I'm Niko." His dark skin gleams with a sheen of sweat under the dim lighting of the room.

He moved forward and attempts to take my scarred left hand, but I flinch. And he stops.

"Sorry, I, er-" Gosh, Teagan, go on and act like a total loony why don't you! Astrid squeezes the hand in her grasp with understanding, and I fight the wave of dizziness in my body.

He simply smiles, and waves it off. "No harm done, it's my apologies," he says and quickly dispels the awkward atmosphere when he turns to the rest of them. "Guys, hello? Are you just gonna sit there and-"

Another crimson pillow flies at his face. "Oh, shut up, Niko!" The scolding soft voice belongs to a freckled girl, with long red hair braided down her back. She smiles at me warmly. "I'm Kiera, nice to finally meet you. Astrid talks about you so-"

"No I don't!" my twins interrupts, defensively. I grin knowingly, she would never admit doing so.

Another person speaks. This time it's a guy with the tips of his dark hair dyed an subtle navy blue, and I remember seeing him around the Academy hallways. "Yeah, sure. I'm Zeke." His light eyes hold my stare and I flush.

I'm grateful when two girls divert my attention from his intense gaze.

"Me first! I'm-"

"No me first! Hi Teagan-"

"Hey, that's not fair," the short brunette complains.

"Well, too bad, suck it up," a blonde-haired girl bites back.

They continue to bicker back and forth, and my eyes begins to water from moving so rapidly.

Astrid grins. "Those pair of idiots are Hailey and Lola. They're stepsisters and argue about everything. You'll get used to it, don't worry." The others laugh in agreement, and the two girls haven't even noticed that they've already been introduced.

Something Astrid said bounces in my mind. You'll get used to it. No I won't, I want to argue, I'm leaving soon. But I don't say anything. Who wants to be a debby downer, huh?

Now, I'm sure you're eager to know what happens next, but there's not much to tell. We eat dinner, we chat (or they chat and I listen) and then before I know it, Astrid is dragging me back to the limousine.

"Hurry up and put this on." She thrusts a bag at me, and when I look inside, it's a dress. Or dresses.

"Astrid I can't wear two dresses at once," I remark dryly, holding the lacey material up. One is a dark red and the other is black. They look identical.

She rolls her eyes at me. "Gee, T. Do I have to spell it out for you? Pick a colour!"

Ooohhhh. "You pick first." Honestly, I can't choose. Both shades look gorgeous.

"No, you!"

"You!"

"Me?"

"Me- wait no." But it's too late.

Astrid grins like she won a grammy, and I groan. "You always do this to me!"

"You ask for it, but stop arguing and choose one. We're getting late, Teagan!"

"Fine!" I assess the dresses again. Personally, they may be a little short for me, but today I would bear with it for Astrid. From the corner of my eyes, I see her eyes dart quickly to the red one, and I try to hide my smile. "Black, obviously."

"You sure?" she asks, but I already hear the happiness in her voice.

"Duh," I answer, stripping out of my gold gown behind the tinted windows of the limousine. It's quite a struggle to pull on the new dress in a moving car, without hitting my head on the roof but there's not time to go home. At least whatever colours Astrid smeared onto my face would suit my new outfit.

I turn around, and find she's already dressed and strapping on some glittery red heels. Woah, does she practise or what?

"Your shoes are in that box." She points in the direction of our suitcase of clothes. I crawl over to the unusually large box, and squeal. Yes, I squeal on some occasions. Get over it.

They're a pair of sparkly, jet-black over-the-knee boots. My twin knows me too well. Although I was sure the heel was at least two inches over what I'd usually be comfortable, I can't help but love the shoes.

"So you knew I would choose the black dress, huh?" I smirk, knowing she wouldn't really let me have the red dress to begin with.

"Correction: I hoped you would choose the black dress," she replies, smiling cheekily, "and in case you didn't, I had the boots as backup to convince you."

"I love it, Astrid. You know me too well!" I reach over to hug her.

"No shit, sis," she says smugly, returning my embrace.

When we pull apart, I notice a black box in her hands. "What's that?"

She shrugs, like it's nothing. "Just one of your birthday gifts..."

"Really? Let me see!" I move to tug it away from her, but she stops me.

"No, close your eyes."

A minute later, a diamond pendant hangs around my neck, and my breath stops. As I peer down, I notice something engraved on it, T & A. Immediately, my eyes water but I don't let the tears fall. Instead, I crush her in another hug and her muffled laughter vibrates across my body.

"Sorry, sister," I say, "your gift's at home. I love you."

"I know," she winks. I groan. "I love you more, sister."

"I love you most... maybe."

She punches my arm lightly, and the driver alerts us from behind the tinted screen that we have arrived.

"Here goes nothing," I breathe.

Is it too late to mention I've never been to a club before?

---

𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 ℍ𝕖𝕣 𝔾𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕤 ℂ𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖 ❤︎
𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚟𝚘𝚝𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ☻︎

xoxo
Aviana