Chapter 2 That's not from me

DRUSCILLA

"Oh my goodness, Druscilla! You look absolutely breathtaking in this dress!" Avery's voice bubbles with excitement as she clasps her hands dramatically.

I can't help the blush spreading across my cheeks. My gaze lingers on the mirror, drinking in the reflection that hardly feels like mine. The gown is everything I have ever dreamed of-white as fresh snow, the sweetheart neckline glittering with delicate diamonds cascading down to the waistline.

It cinches my waist so perfectly I can barely believe it, and the slit climbing up my thigh reveals just enough of my legs to feel daring without being scandalous.

It is the kind of gown little girls dream about when they clutch pillowcase veils and pretend to marry their dolls. My heart swells.

"Kaila, you outdid yourself," I say as I turn to my cousin, who is beaming like an artist admiring her finest masterpiece. Kaila isn't just family; she is one of the most talented designers I know, and years ago, I swore she would be the one to create my wedding gown when I finally marry my college sweetheart.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," she replies warmly, her fingers nimble as she helps me ease out of the dress.

"Please, Cilia," Avery suddenly begs, her hazel eyes widening, her lips pushing into a pout I know too well. "Can I try it on? Just once?"

I arch a brow. My wedding dress? Really?

"I only want to see how I'd look in it," she adds quickly, tilting her head and giving me the puppy-dog face she perfects back in kindergarten.

Avery is my best friend, my other half. People often mistake us for sisters because we are so inseparable.

I sigh, 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 squeals, reaching out eagerly.

Before she can touch it, Kaila snatches the gown from my hands with a sharp shake of her head.

"No way. You can't wear it," Kaila says firmly, her designer instincts bristling. "It's bad luck for the bride. Don't tempt fate."

I almost laugh. "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 adds, batting her lashes. "I promise I'll be careful. I just want to feel it on me."

Kaila groans, but I finally press the gown into Avery's arms.

"Thank you, bestie!" Avery gasps dramatically, clutching the dress as though it is a sacred relic.

Kaila and I exchange a look as Avery wriggles into it, the fabric pulling a little tighter over her figure. She spins before the mirror with all the glee of a child at Christmas.

"Oh la la! This dress looks divine on me!" she twirls, nearly tripping over the hem. "Can't you see, girls? It is made for me."

I chuckle softly while Kaila rolls her eyes so hard I think they might stay that way.

Avery presses her hands dreamily over her chest. "I can already imagine myself walking down the aisle, all eyes on me..."

"Stop fantasising, Cinderella," Kaila cuts her off sharply, folding her arms. "Get out of that gown before you ruin it."

Avery scoffs, wrinkling her nose. "Yes, Mum."

"I ain't your mother, spoiled brat," Kaila fires back.

Their bickering is constant-like fire and gasoline-but it always makes me laugh. Sometimes I wonder how I survive being the bridge between these two. One is my cousin, the other my best friend, and both are hell-bent on disagreeing about everything.

Avery finally peels off the gown and hands it back to me with a grin.

That is when I notice Avery's pendant. It is exactly like the one I am wearing-a heart-shaped pendant. The very type Isaac gifted me, with a customised keyhole inside it.

"Where did you get that?" I ask, unable to pull my eyes away from it.

Avery smiles, touching the necklace tenderly. "Oh... I-I got it from uuhm... my boyfriend," she stutters. "After seeing it on you, I asked my boyfriend to get me one."

"Interesting," I say, rolling my eyes. "Are we twins now?" I add with a chuckle.

"Kinda," Avery replies.

But I can't let it go. Why does she always get whatever she sees on me? I know it doesn't mean anything, but it feels like too much.

Ever since high school, Avery always copies my style. Maybe because we are best friends. But one day, she goes too far. During our final year, she dyed her hair red like mine and wore blue contacts. Our classmates were stunned. Most of them said she was jealous of me.

Is she truly jealous of me?

"Alright, girls, stop the questions already," Kaila's voice breaks into my thoughts. She pulls me closer. "Come, babe. I have a surprise for you," she announces, her eyes glowing with a mischievous wink.

"What surprise?" I ask, my curiosity instantly piqued.

Her lips curve slyly. "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise. You'll just have to walk into it."

I narrow my eyes, amused. "Fine. I'll play along."

She reaches into her oversized handbag and pulls out three glossy cards, her eyes sparkling.

"Girls!" she calls, flashing the cards. "We are going to Mi Amor Casa for a proper bachelorette party."

My jaw drops. "Oh my gosh!"

Avery practically leaps. "Yes! Let's go shake this city up!"

~~~~~

Thirty minutes later, the three of us step into the largest club in town.

Mi Amor Casa is alive. Music throbs from every speaker, neon lights spin across the dance floor, and laughter mingles with the bass shaking the ground beneath us.

I freeze for a moment, stunned. This is my first time in a club. I am not a party girl-never have been. I prefer quieter joys: books, tea, long walks in the garden. But Kaila and Avery? They are the wild ones, the sparks that set any night aflame.

"This skirt is so short," I mutter, tugging self-consciously at the hem of the black leather mini they forced me into. The matching butterfly blouse hugs me in ways I am not used to, and the knee-high boots give me a gothic vibe I never dare to explore.

"Stop fussing," Avery shouts over the music, strutting ahead in a scandalously tight bodycon dress barely containing her curves. "You look hot!"

Kaila is all glitter and glamour in a shimmering red gown, her hips swaying as she leads the way.

We squeeze through writhing bodies until we reach the VIP section and collapse onto plush couches

.

"Wow," I breathe, wide-eyed, taking in the flashing lights, the pulsing rhythm, the sheer energy of the place. My body instinctively sways to the beat.

Kaila signals for drinks, and soon trays of shots are set before us.

"Tonight, we drink till we drop!" Avery hollers, lifting her glass.

"To Druscilla!" they both cry, clinking their glasses against mine.

"To me," I echo with a laugh, tapping my glass before downing the shot.

The liquid burns like fire as it sears my throat. I cough violently, fanning my mouth. "Holy hell! People drink this for fun?"

"Easy, girl," Avery laughs, rubbing my back.

Kaila, already four shots in, stumbles toward the stage and snatches a microphone from the DJ.

"Yoo, y'all!" she bellows, her voice blasting through the speakers.

I cringe, covering my ears. Trust Kaila to make a scene.

The music stops. The crowd freezes. All eyes turn to her.

"I've got a very special announcement," she declares, grinning wildly.

My arms fold over my chest as I watch, torn between dread and affection.

"Tonight, we are celebrating my amazing cousin's bachelorette party!"

The crowd erupts in cheers. My chest tightens. Tears prick my eyes. This is one of my ten last nights as a single woman.

"But that's not all," Kaila adds. "Today also happens to be her birthday!"

My mouth falls open. My birthday. I forgot. Wedding plans consumed me so completely that the date slipped past my mind.

"Druscilla!" Kaila calls, extending her hand. "Come up here!"

Panic spikes in my chest. I am not made for stages or spotlights. My feet root to the floor.

"Go, Druscilla! Go!" the crowd chants.

I swallow hard as my vision blurs with tears. I have never received this much attention in my life.

"Go on," Avery nudges me gently.

With shaky legs, I climb onto the stage. Kaila wraps me in a tight hug.

"Happy birthday, cousin," she whispers.

"Thank you," I murmur as tears spill freely. Call me a crybaby-I don't care. I always wear my heart on my sleeves.

The fact that Kaila remembers touches me more than words can say. Isaac did not even call today. Maybe he is just too busy with wedding preparations, I tell myself. Still, it stings.

Just then, men in crisp white shirts carry a towering cake onto the stage.

"Wow! You even got me a cake?" I gasp.

Kaila frowns. "That's not from me."

"Then it must be Isaac," I say quickly, hope blooming in my chest. "He must have arranged it."

"Of course," Kaila smiles knowingly. "He is such a sweet fiance".

Warmth spreads through me. Maybe Isaac did not forget after all.

The crowd sings as my name glows in icing:

Happy Birthday, Druscilla. Welcome to Chapter 22 on Earth.

Kaila hands me the knife. "Cut it on the last letter of your name."

The crowd spells it out-D-R-U-S-C-I-L-L-A-and I slice into the cake.

Cheers erupt. But as I pull the knife free, something catches my eye.

Buried inside the layers of cake is a brown envelope.

My brows knit together. Why would Isaac hide an envelope inside a cake? My pulse quickens as I tug it free, frosting smearing my fingers.

"What's that?" Kaila asks curiously.

"I don't know... maybe Isaac left me a surprise," I whisper, my chest fluttering with nervous excitement.

"Wow, that's thoughtful," Kaila smiles.

My hands tremble as I tear open the envelope.

My eyes land on its contents.

My stomach drops.

The cheers fade into a dull roar. My palms turn clammy. I can't breathe.

What I see inside makes my world spin.