The World Keeps Changing

Chapter 16

Dear daughter

Hold your head up high

There's a world outside that's passing by

Dear daughter

Never lose yourself

Remember that you're like nobody else

Life throws you into the unknown

And you feel like you're out there all alone

These are words that every girl should have a chance to hear

There will be love, there will be pain

There will be hope, there will be fear

And through it all, year after year

Stand or fall I will be right here for you

Dear daughter

Don't worry about those stupid girls

If they try to bring you down

It's cause they're scared and insecure

Dear daughter

Don't change for any man

Even if he promises the stars

And takes you by the hand

"Dear Daughter" by Haelstorm

"Bold of you to think I could walk in these, Nat." I said of the red stilettos she'd bought on our shopping trip that I'd finally agreed to wear.

She sounded unimpressed on the other side of the bathroom door. "I bet you can do more than that in them. I've seen you in the kitchen when you think nobody will hear the music you're playing. You can swing those hips just fine." I opened the door. "See? Sashaying like a pro. Just like riding a bike, Cookie."

I rolled my eyes as I came out in the most risque thing she'd found on our shopping trip, and then bought without my knowledge. "What the actual fuck, Nat?" It was a blue so dark it was basically black, form fitting, with a daring neckline and web of spaghetti straps capping my shoulders and the upper portion of the open back. It also had an equally daring side slit that flashed half my scarred thigh when I walked. "I look ridiculous."

"You look amazing. Absolute thirst trap." She praised.

"For who? The niche audience of chubby chasers that fetishize burn trauma and being stepped on?"

She raised an eyebrow at me in irritation. "Enough. You're wearing it, you look amazing, and you will turn every head at the party." She was wearing a black evening gown, laced up at the back with an even more daring slit than mine, but nobody needed to talk her up. Ms. International Superspy always looked like a tall drink of water. I opened my mouth to snark back but she pointedly handed me a lipstick as red as my shoes and retouched my eyeliner. "And when that someone asks to be stepped on, you'll be ready."

"Nat..."

"Nyet." She snapped. She stepped up close, her voice a sultry purr. "You are going down there and showing every person in that hall exactly why they should be groveling for any morsel you toss them and be fucking grateful if you give them a glance." She handed me my clutch, "Let's go," and ushered me out the door to the elevator. I spent the ride down steadying my breath, finding my inner smooth operator and knowing it was going to take a double shot of bourbon and then scotch for the rest of the night.