Mini Trial Pt. 3

You were beginning to feel like a complete stranger in your own skin.

Serena was practically glowing as she pulled you through the aisles of the store, moving with a sense of purpose that made it hard to keep up. The day was stretching on longer than you expected, but somehow, you were still going, still helping, still being the perfect bridesmaid. You wanted to resent it. You did. Every step deeper into this world, into _her _world, seemed to chip away at the identity you’d held onto for so long. But you couldn’t stop yourself. You kept walking, kept following her lead.

“You’re going to love this,” Serena said, practically skipping as she led you to a small section in the back of the store, filled with delicate perfumes and beauty products. Your stomach churned as you looked at the sleek bottles of fragrant oils and lotions that lined the shelves. You’d never been into any of this stuff. You’d always been more about simplicity—cheap cologne, a quick shampoo, and out the door. But here, standing amidst all these soft, feminine scents, you couldn’t deny that there was something oddly comforting about them.

Serena plucked a bottle off the shelf and sprayed it into the air. The soft floral scent filled the space between you, and for a moment, you just stood there, inhaling it, feeling a little more relaxed than you had in hours. Your body betrayed you, responding to the sweet, calming scent that you could never have imagined yourself liking. It made your skin feel softer, your movements a little more languid.

Serena smiled knowingly. “It’s like a little bit of luxury every day. You’re going to feel so soft in this, Luna.” Her voice, laced with familiarity, rolled off the tongue, that name fitting you perfectly, as if it had always been yours. Her words made your cheeks flush ever so slightly. “Here, spray a little on,” she urged, handing you the bottle.

You hesitated, but the pressure to be a good bridesmaid won out, and you sprayed a bit on your wrist. The scent clung to your skin, wrapping around you in a way that felt intimate, almost seductive. Your pulse quickened, and you couldn’t help but run your fingers over the soft spot of your wrist where the perfume lingered, feeling the soft touch of your skin beneath your fingers.

It wasn’t supposed to feel this nice.

Before you could overthink it, Serena was off again, pulling you toward the next section. "You know, we should get you some makeup. I can already see how gorgeous you’ll look with a little highlight here," she said, pointing at your cheekbone. “We need to make sure you look your best for the wedding, and you can’t go out there without looking glam.”

You opened your mouth to protest, to tell her you already had makeup, but then you remembered—again—that you weren’t supposed to argue. You had to help her. You had to be there for her. She’d been nothing but kind, nothing but eager to make you feel at home in this world.

The makeup aisle was overwhelming, filled with sparkling powders and shimmering eyeshadows, blushes that screamed femininity. It was like walking through a dream, a place where you felt like you didn’t quite belong. But still, you couldn’t help but pick up a few items. Serena ran her hands over the selection of items, eyeing the softest shades of pinks and peaches.

And when Serena finally handed you a small tube of lip gloss—pink, shiny, delicate—you found yourself accepting it without hesitation. "This one’s perfect," she said, her voice full of pride as she slid the gloss on your lips, reapplying the gloss that was there in the morning, but all licked off by now. The cool sensation of it spreading over your mouth made your breath catch, the glossy texture turning your lips into something soft and irresistible.

It was such a simple thing, but as you looked at yourself in the mirror, you couldn’t deny how good you looked. How different you felt. Your reflection was becoming... more. More than just a guy trying to play bridesmaid. You looked so kissable.

"See?" Serena grinned, her eyes glowing. "You look stunning, Luna. You’re going to blow everyone away at the wedding."

You couldn’t stop the blush that crept onto your cheeks. "It’s... it’s fine," you muttered, though there was a little less conviction in your voice than before. “I don’t usually wear this stuff.”

Serena laughed, completely unfazed. "That’s the thing—you do now. I’m so glad we’re doing this together."

"You know," Serena mused as she observed your face, "we’ve been at this all day. I should have been planning my bachelorette party tonight, but we’re so close to finishing. It’s just been so much fun shopping with you, Luna."

You gave a small, tight smile, trying to ignore the growing discomfort in your chest. "Yeah, we should hurry and wrap this up."

Serena’s eyes widened as she glanced at her phone. "Oh my god, fuck! I’m super late!" she exclaimed, quickly gathering her bags. "We need to get going! Let’s go, let’s go!"

You followed her, the sudden shift from leisurely shopping to hurried chaos making you feel dizzy. But just as you reached the register, Serena’s phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at it, her face lighting up with recognition. "Shit, it's my fiancé," she said, glancing up at you with a cheeky smile. "I’ll be right back—this should only take a second."

You stood there at the counter as the lady scanned the items, trying to gather your thoughts, the weight of the day pressing down on you. Everything had shifted, and as much as you hated to admit it, you were changing. Your reflection in the glass behind you looked almost unrecognizable—a girl in a pale pink blouse, high-waisted trousers, soft makeup, and glossy lips.

You could still hear Serena’s voice in the distance, her conversation drifting back to you as she spoke with her fiancé. But you couldn’t focus on that. Instead, your mind wandered, remembering how easily you’d slipped into this world, how normal it had felt.

You didn’t know it yet, but the world you’d been walking into was the one you were beginning to belong to.

You stood there, watching Serena animatedly chat on the phone, her voice light and full of energy. Every now and then, she would nod and smile at something her fiancé said, and it was clear to you that she was fully absorbed in the conversation. You couldn’t help but glance down at the bags you’d both accumulated. The day had felt like a blur—an endless string of boutiques and beauty counters, perfume bottles and makeup palettes, all woven into a world of weddings you never imagined you’d be part of, at least not on this side. But now, you were standing there, half-heartedly smiling at the bags, still trying to process just how deep into this world you'd gone.

Her conversation seemed to stretch on, though it didn’t make sense to you. The anticipation was starting to build, the weight of the day pressing on your shoulders. Finally, Serena hung up the phone, looking at you with wide eyes. "Okay, so... funny thing," she began, a slight chuckle in her voice, "Cliff and his groomsmen? They’re absolutely drunk. Like, they’re beyond tipsy—they’re totally trashed. None of them can drive, and well, they need someone to keep them at ease. But here’s the thing, I’m so late for my bachelorette party planning, and I can’t go back there now. I was thinking..." She raised her eyebrows, "Maybe you could run out and grab them some food and drinks? You know, just a little something to help them sober up a bit?"

You blinked, still processing the request. Help them unwind? You couldn’t even imagine what a scene that was—drunken groomsmen, probably loud and unruly, needing you to calm them down. It was ridiculous. The whole idea was absurd, yet... you were already nodding, already confirming you’d help. Of course you would. You were helping, just like you’d been doing all day.

“Sure, yeah, I’ll do it,” you said, the words coming out before you even fully thought them through. You were trying to feign enthusiasm, but it felt almost automatic by now. You couldn’t back out of anything at this point—not when Serena needed you.

Serena beamed, delighted by your willingness. "Thanks so much, Luna. You’re such a lifesaver!" Her joy made you cringe internally, but you couldn’t let it show. “Okay, so here's the plan: you’re going to head to the store for snacks and drinks. Maybe grab some soda, a few sandwiches, and something they can munch on. Oh, and I’ll send you the address for his place—it’s just a short subway ride from here."

She moved swiftly, sorting through the bags she had collected. “I’ll pack up the stuff for the wedding in a separate bag. We don’t want you carrying all this extra stuff,” she said as she gathered the lingerie set, the stockings, and the makeup items you had tried on. The lingerie set was placed into a bag, along with the small makeup bag containing the lipstick and gloss you’d just picked up. You felt a small knot tighten in your stomach as she placed the items into the bag.

You were going to carry this, and deliver a bunch of food. To a bunch of drunk guys.

As Serena neatly separated the bags, you couldn’t help but notice how delicate and feminine everything in her hands seemed. The pink lingerie, the shiny gloss you had just smeared on your lips. It was almost laughable how natural you’d started to feel around all of it, even though the thought of it still made your stomach turn.

“Alright, Luna, here’s everything you need. I packed your stuff in one bag for you—just go there, get them some food and drinks, and... try to keep them at ease. I know they’re a bit wild, but I’m sure you can handle it.” She smiled at you again, almost like she was too pleased. “You’ve totally got this.”

You swallowed. "Right. I’ve got it." You nodded, though the uncertainty was practically oozing out of you. You gave a small wave of goodbye as she adjusted the other bags for the wedding, heading toward her bachelorette plans.

With your bag now in hand, you made your way out of the store. The sensation of the soft, glossy makeup bag against your palm made your fingers twitch as you walked. The black stiletto heels felt very comfortable ever since Luna's walk became permanent, a fact that you would have hated to admit if asked directly. But you were hardly in a position to be honest about that. It was like some invisible **** was guiding your every move, pushing you further into this role, this life.

The busy mall street outside was bustling with people—shoppers hurrying by, families pushing strollers, groups of friends laughing together. You stood there for a moment, taking it all in. How were you supposed to get to Serena’s fiancé’s place? You pulled your phone out of your pocket and glanced at the message Serena had sent you with the address.

A subway ride, she said. That wasn’t too bad. You could do that. You could... figure it out.

The thought of getting onto a crowded subway wasn’t exactly exciting, especially in your current outfit, but you couldn’t help but notice how normal everything felt. The heels clicking lightly on the pavement, the soft sway of your hips, the makeup you still wore... it all felt so much more... natural. You sighed, biting your lip—remembering the lip gloss you’d put on earlier—and quickly shook your head to snap yourself out of it. You couldn’t think about that now. You had a task ahead of you, and you were going to get it done.

The subway station wasn’t far, and you quickly made your way there, the black stilettoes beneath you clicking rhythmically against the pavement. You checked the address once more, noting the route you’d need to take. Serena’s fiancé’s apartment was just a few stops away.

As you walked through the streets, the weight of the bag filled with lingerie and makeup seemed heavier now, like it was pulling you further into this strange world you had entered. You pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the subway ride ahead.

When you arrived at the subway, the crowds were heavier than expected. Your heart raced as you stepped onto the platform, the clattering of the trains below you louder than the usual hum of the city. But as the doors slid open and you made your way inside, you had one clear thought.

You were already in too deep to turn back now.