3 : First evening

Célia has designed several outfits for me, so she wants to find me the matching shoes. She takes me to a huge mall store I've never been in before. She knows it by heart, she could walk through it with her eyes closed. So she leads me through the aisles, trying on everything she can think of, explaining what she imagines she'll be wearing.

I'm impressed by the sheer volume of purchases made for barely a hundred dollars. Even though Celia couldn't resist buying me stuff for the same amount I spent.

- You're going to be a knockout with that! exclaims Célia on the way home.

- Thanks, but you should never have spent so much!

- If my parents would honor me with their presence once in a while, maybe I'd be more careful about what I spend... In the meantime, I do what I want," she says, angry with her parents. I've been raised by fifteen nannies and a wallet, and now I have to take responsibility!

My feet are sore and I fall back onto the sofa.

- So, my beauty, how was your day?" asks Godfather, sitting down next to me.

- Great! But my feet hurt more than after a day of dancing!

He laughs and Celia returns from the kitchen at the same time, suddenly very quiet and shy. She hands me a refreshment before sitting down next to me.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see a text message from an unknown number.

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Unknown:

Hi sweetie, it's Max. Celia gave me

gave me your number. I hope you don't

I hope you don't mind?

Me:

Hey Max! No problem, how

going?

Max:

Fine and you? Are you doing anything

tonight?

Me:

Fine, thank you. Celia's spending the

weekend at my place, we were supposed

a movie, why?

Max:

How about an evening at

Jack's?

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- Who are you chatting to?" murmurs Célia.

- Max. He's suggesting an evening at Jack's...

- That's an excellent idea," says Godfather, who's intruded on the conversation. It's exactly what you need.

- Serious?" I ask, not quite reassured.

- Of course he's serious! exclaims Célia, who has found her tongue again. Answer Max and tell him we'll be ready in two hours.

And she pulls me by the arm off the sofa and into my room.

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Me:

OK for the evening. See you in 2 hours!

Max:

Great! Can't wait to see you!

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I put my phone down and Celia pushes me into the shower. When I emerge, she has laid our outfits on the bed and the shoes just below them on the floor.

Wrapped in my towel, she sits me down in front of my dressing table and starts primping. I'm terrified of looking like a Barbie, but I'm surprised to see that she's highlighted my eyes with a natural effect and I love it!

- Dry your hair while I take a shower," Célia orders me.

By the time I've finished, she's putting on her make-up.

- Black for you, red for me," she says.

I put on a short, very short strapless dress. It hugs my buttocks and stops just below the waist. I've never worn such a sexy dress and I'm not very comfortable, although I must admit that I like my reflection in the mirror.

A few bracelets and a necklace fall just between my breasts, I add a pair of creoles to my ears and Célia creates beautiful waves in my hair that run down my lower back.

- Put on the shoes," she says, slipping on her dress.

I perch on a pair of pumps that give me ten centimeters.

- Look at that!" shouts Célia. A real goddess!

I feel myself blushing slightly.

- The soccer team will be eating out of your hand. But at least leave me one, okay?

I burst out laughing.

- Don't worry about that. By the way, do you know where Jack lives?

- Of course, it's not the first time he's had a party!

- Oh, excuse me. Excuse me. Party lady.

- Come on, bitch, you've got some heads to turn.

We go downstairs and I stop by the salon to let the parents know we're leaving.

- Oh shit. He's not going to like this," says Godfather, jumping up from the sofa when he sees me.

- What? I'm alarmed. What's wrong with it? Isn't it pretty?

- Yes, of course, my beauty, you look stunning.

- Are you going out?" asks Mom, coming in from the kitchen.

- Yes, Godfather gave his consent.

- Well, have fun, girls.

She kisses us and returns to the kitchen.

- My little chick! How beautiful you are!" exclaims Dad as we enter the house.

- Does he really? Doesn't that shock you?

- I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't worried about you going out in that outfit, but it's your age after all. Just take care of yourself, and have fun.

- Thanks, Dad.

I wink at Godfather, who winks back, and we head out.

My phone vibrates in my pouch.

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Send a message when you

you arrive.

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It's from Max. Jack doesn't live too far away and we can be there in ten minutes.

The party's already in full swing. There are lots of people. I text Max:

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Me:

We're here!

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- I'm impressed with you," says Célia.

- Why are you so impressed?

- You walk around in stilettos like you were born in them.

- Tanya?

I turn towards the male voice calling my name.

- Max!

- Wow, you look... beautiful!

- Thank you," I say, blushing.

He holds out his hand and I take it.

- Come on, there's a lot of people here to see you.

- That many?

- Well, you were impressive yesterday.

- Tanya! You came, that's great!

Jack hugs me in greeting, and almost the whole team does the same. At the same time, the boys notice Celia standing next to me and start flirting with her.

Max puts a hand on my waist and guides me to the bar where everyone is gathered.

- What can I get you?

- A beer, please.

I feel surprisingly at ease with the guys on the soccer team. As someone who doesn't usually drink, I quickly feel warm, even with just one glass. I feel lighter and more carefree. Someone decides to play a game, and we move into the living room.

We laugh a lot, then some newcomers enter and I launch myself at one of them, completely euphoric after my third glass of beer.