Let’s hit the paaarty! — A year later…

A year later…

...

— Mimi, Mimi, Mimi... — the same lazy smirk as that fateful night colored Alicia’s voice as she stepped in through the glass veranda door, tapping her nail against her phone. — A square neckline loves smiles. Chin up, tighten the ribbon on your waist... yes, like that. I see you’ve adjusted perfectly.

— ...Alicia? — Mimi turned from the mirror, feeling her heart clench and sink down where the tight ribbon dug in, her breasts swaying in the neckline so noticeably that she had to avert her eyes. — You... a year... you vanished.

— A year?.. — Alicia raised her brows, as if the word amused her. — No, darling. I never vanished. I was only watching.

Her gaze slid lazily over the dress, the puff sleeves, the ribbon at the waist.

— And I must admit... you’ve exceeded my expectations. Look at yourself, a real doll.

Mimi’s brows tightened.

— A real doll?.. — Mimi’s voice cracked into a thin squeak, and she swallowed hard, trying to recover at least a shred of firmness. — As if you gave me a choice. My whole wardrobe looks like this now because of your spell.

— Oh, darling, — Alicia smirked and tapped her nail against the glass door. — You’re the one wearing it, nobody’s holding a gun to your head. It’s your husband who wants his wife to look like a “doll.” Isn’t that right?

— Jake... — Mimi’s eyes lifted, feeling her breasts in the square cut sway again, too obviously. — He... he thinks I’ve always been like this. He doesn’t remember Michael. Because of you.

— Because of me? — Alicia widened her eyes with mock innocence, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. — Oh, sweetheart, these were all your choices. You went to bed with him that night. You stayed. And then... oh yes, the baby.

— Don’t you dare... — Mimi sucked in a sharp breath, but the corset wouldn’t let her take it deep, and her voice broke. — Don’t you dare talk about that.

Alicia laughed.

— And why not? Because now you’re Mrs. Mimi Harper? Because you’ve got a ring on your finger and a husband who calls you “my girl” in every store you two walk into? Because there’s a plush bunny on your couch and baby food jars lying on your kitchen table?

Mimi felt her cheeks burn and dropped her gaze.

— It’s... it’s all your spell. I didn’t want...

— Yeah-yeah-yeah, it’s all your body, alcohol, and a bro madly in love, — Alicia dragged out the word, savoring it, as if teasing her on purpose. — You think I don’t know how it all happened? I was there too, I saw every second. How you, wobbling in those heels, clung to his shoulder, how you let him lead you to the bedroom. How he pinned you against the wall, and you only whimpered like some real little chick being taken for the first time.

Mimi flushed, tucking her chin to her breasts as if that could hide her.

— Shut up... I... I was drunk... you set it all up!

Alicia snorted with laughter, swinging her leg so her heel clicked against the floor.

— Set it up? Maybe. But, Mimi, — her voice softened, almost tender, — I wasn’t the one holding your hand when you scratched his back. I didn’t whisper “more” to him. That was your body, your voice, your brand new hysterical little female soul.

Mimi closed her eyes, and memories burst inside her head — how on that Halloween night her… his… legs trembled when Jake pulled her onto the bed. How the dress rode up, and she, choking on her own scream, tried to convince herself it was just a dream. And then that warmth, that weight, and the unbearable new feeling inside that made her arch.

— Stop… — she clamped her hand over her mouth, but a muffled squeak still broke through.

Alicia leaned back slightly, a satisfied gleam in her eyes.

— And then the surprise, right? Two lines on the test. And Jake, your bro, your “best friend,” falling to his knees and kissing your belly. I could almost hear how everything inside you screamed “no!”, while outside you only smiled and whispered something incoherent, not wanting to hurt him.

Mimi jerked back, but the mirror dragged her back into reality, showing the light waves of hair on her shoulders, breasts bound by the square neckline, the skirt too short to let her forget her new role for even a moment.

— You… you ruined my life, — she whispered, but the words came out too weak, more like a complaint than an accusation. — Why did you come?

— Oh, just flying by on my broom, — Alicia drawled lazily, adjusting the black ribbon on her neck and letting her eyes sweep over Mimi again. — Decided to drop in and see how my ex… oh, sorry, ex-girl, is doing.

Mimi flinched as if struck. The word “ex” pierced deeper than all the jabs before. She lifted her head, and in the mirror stared back not the stern, masculine eyes from the past, but wet, wide ones smeared with running mascara — real girly eyes, filled with anger and despair.

— You… you’re mocking me, — her voice was high and brittle, every word laced with shame. — I don’t have a choice anymore. I have… a family. Jake. A baby.

— Oh, how sweet, — Alicia clasped her hands under her chin, feigning adoration. — A family! A husband who thinks his “sweet Mimi” has always been a girl. Who has no idea that he once called you “bro” and laughed with you about his ex’s tits. And the baby… the little one who only exists because you couldn’t resist.

Mimi sucked in a shuddering breath and dropped her hands to her belly, as if she could still feel the weight there, that same memory of pregnancy, of how her body changed against her will, how her breasts swelled with milk, and how Jake proudly showed off her rounded figure to all his friends.

— Shut up! — she threw up her hands, but it looked so pitiful that Alicia only snorted with laughter.

— And your wedding? I was betting on whether you’d go through with it or not! — the witch went on, her eyes sparkling. — The white dress, the veil, Jake with tears in his eyes promising to love you forever. You trembled, but not from happiness, right? You trembled because you knew: Michael was gone. At the altar stood only a doll. My doll.

— Stop… — Mimi pressed herself against the wall, as if seeking safety there. Her knees shook, the short hem barely covering her thighs, and the corset squeezed her waist so tightly it felt like she couldn’t breathe.

At that moment Jake appeared in the room. The door clicked shut, and he walked in with his usual confident smile, a grocery bag in hand.

— Mimi, I’m home! — his voice was cheerful, loud, as if he were stepping not into his house but onto a stage where an audience was waiting. — I bought your favorite strawberry cake, — he froze, noticing her by the wall and rushed to her at once. — Hey, baby, what’s wrong? What happened?

Jake quickly set the bag on the table and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as if shielding her from something invisible.

— Are you crying? — he gently brushed his palm across her cheek, wiping away the mascara streaked by tears. — Mimi… who hurt you?

Mimi squeezed her eyes shut, almost forcing a scream out of herself. Alicia was still standing there — smirking, swaying her hip slightly, as if savoring the show. But Jake… he wasn’t looking at her at all. For him, there was no one else in the room but the two of them.

— He can’t see me, — the witch whispered right into Mimi’s ear, making her shudder all over. — No one can. No one ever did. How many times did you try telling your friends about “the witch Alicia” — remember? They just laughed. Some even told you to see a shrink.

— N-no… — Mimi sobbed, but Jake took it for himself and pulled her in even tighter.

— It’s alright, baby. — His voice was quiet, steady, so familiar. — You’re tired. I know it’s hard for you. But you’re my girl, and I’m always here.

Alicia let out a soft chuckle.

— “My girl”… how sweet!

— Shut up and get the fuck out! — burst out of Mimi so sharply that even she flinched from it. Her voice sounded hysterical, squeaky, like a frightened little girl’s, and the words lost all their strength.

— Mimi?.. — Jake frowned, confused. He held her shoulders tight, as if afraid she’d collapse. — Who are you talking to? There’s no one here.

Alicia, standing barely half a step away, gave a low laugh and tilted her head, staring right into her former victim’s eyes.

— See? — she whispered sweetly, as if telling a bedtime story. — No one sees me. No one hears me. Only you.

Mimi tried to wrench herself free from Jake’s embrace, but he only pressed her closer.

— Hey-hey-hey, easy, baby, — he kissed her hair, holding her against his chest. — You’re scaring me. You’re shaking all over. I’m home, I’m here, it’s all good.

— It’s all good… — Alicia echoed, mocking his tone slightly, and stroked Mimi’s shoulder with a hand invisible to Jake. — What do you think, should I make it even better?

Mimi’s eyes went wide, and she almost choked on her fear.

— Don’t you dare… — she mouthed, clutching Jake’s shirt with her fingers like it was her only shield.

— What? — Jake grew wary, searching her face. — Mimi, what is it? Who are you saying “don’t you dare” to?.. There’s no one here.

Alicia leaned in so close her hair brushed against Mimi’s cheek, and whispered:

— Just think, doll… if I snap my fingers, he could forget you. Forget his beloved Mimi he worships so much. He’d learn the truth. He’d find out you were Michael. Isn’t that what you dreamed of this whole year?

Mimi tore herself from Jake’s arms so abruptly he almost stumbled. She pressed back against the wall, her palms shaking, nails scratching at the wallpaper, her breasts heaving in the corset, refusing her a full breath.

— N-no… — she whispered, sounding at once pitiful and childlike. — I… I don’t want to!..

— Don’t want what? — Jake stepped toward her, hand reaching out, his eyes full of worry and confusion. — Mimi, baby, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?..

Alicia, glowing with triumph, circled around them like a predator driving its prey into a corner.

— She won’t say it, Jake, — the witch whispered. — She’ll never admit it. She doesn’t have the guts. But me… I can make it simple.

She snapped her fingers.

Snap.

And in that instant Jake froze. His eyes glazed over for a split second, and Mimi felt the ground slip from under her feet.

— …Mike?.. — Jake breathed out, frowning. His voice trembled, as if dragged up from the depths of memory.

Mimi turned cold.

— N-no-o!.. — her scream broke into a high-pitched shriek. She threw herself at him, clutching his chest as if trying to hold reality together. — I’m Mimi! I’m your Mimi, Jakey!

— Michael?.. — Jake searched her face, her trembling lips, the huge tear-filled eyes. In his head, a massive puzzle was starting to fall into place. Everything he’d done this year, their wedding with Mimi, the baby, but... — What the fuck, bro?!

A dead silence filled the room. Even Alicia seemed to hold her breath, savoring the moment.

Jake staggered back a step, staring at her as if for the first time all year he truly saw her. His hands shook, his lips parted and closed again, as though he wanted to speak but couldn’t find words.

— Goddamn it… — his voice cracked, low, hoarse. — This… can’t be…

Mimi swayed on her heels, still clinging to his shirt, but Jake shoved her back suddenly. Not rough, but with a recoil of fear or disgust.

— You… — he almost whispered. — You’re Michael. My bro…

He dragged his hands down his face, then looked at her again, eyes full of horror, revulsion, and raging confusion.

— But how… how the fuck did I… marry you?!

Mimi cried out, pressing her palms to her ears, shaking her head.

— N-no! I didn’t want this! It was all Alicia! She did this to me! I didn’t ask for it!..

Jake backed away, as if every word only ripped at his nerves harder. His breathing turned fast, heavy.

— Fuck… fuck! — He grabbed the grocery bag from the table but instantly dropped it again, not even noticing the strawberry cake splattering across the floor. — I… I fucked you… married you… the baby… Jesus Christ, this is such a fucking mess…

— Jake! — Mimi broke into a desperate scream, clutching at the hem of her dress, the corset, as if she wanted to tear herself out of her own skin. — I’m not guilty! I swear! It’s her! It’s the witch!

Alicia burst into laughter, clapping her hands like a theater-goer at the climax of the show.

— Bravo, doll! At last, the show has picked up speed.

And right then, from the nursery came a piercing cry.

It cut through the room instantly like a bullet. Mimi froze, her hands falling limp, breath caught in her throat. Jake grew even paler, as if someone had knocked the air from his chest.

— …The baby, — he whispered hoarsely, and in his eyes flashed a mix of horror and helplessness. — Our… baby?..

Mimi darted toward the nursery door, but her heel slipped, and she nearly collapsed, clutching the wall. The hem of her dress rode up, the ribbon at her waist dug in so tight she could barely breathe. Still, she rushed into the room, scooped the tiny bundle from the crib, and pressed it against her breasts.

— Shhh… baby, mommy’s here, mommy’s here… — her voice was broken, sobbing, but the infant calmed, feeling her warmth.

Jake followed slowly, as if his legs were no longer obeying him. He stared at Mimi holding the baby, and his face twisted.

— Goddamn… — he whispered. — Michael… holding a baby… God, what kind of hell is this?

— He’s your baby too, actually, — she sobbed, still rocking the infant carefully. Jake jerked as if struck.

— My… baby?.. — he stepped closer but stopped right away, as if his own legs refused to move. His gaze darted between Mimi’s face and the child pressed tight against her breasts. — No… No, this… this is bullshit!

Mimi whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks, mascara staining her skin, making her look even more defenseless.

— Jake… it’s true. He’s yours. You held my hand yourself when… when I gave birth. You… you were there.

Jake grabbed his head with both hands, his breathing ragged, a nervous laugh breaking out of him:

— Jesus… Jesus, I… a whole year… lived with you… fucked you… and the baby… — he exhaled in a strangled voice, thick with horror. — Michael, fuck, how could you?!

— I didn’t want this! — Mimi screamed so sharply the baby squeaked and began to sob again. She instantly hugged him tighter, rocking, her breasts heaving in the corset with jerky, heavy motions too much for her body. — I didn’t want it, Jake! It’s all her! Alicia did this to me!

— To you?! — the witch’s voice dragged from the doorway, leaning in like a puppeteer savoring her play. — And who, darling, spread their legs that night? Who moaned, scratched his back, and clung like he might slip away from his bro?

— Shut up! — Mimi cried out, choking on her tears. — Turn it back! Bring it all back! Please!

— Who the fuck are you talking to? — Jake’s voice came out strained, but the confusion was gone. In his eyes brewed something dangerous — mistrust, anger, and a raw, animal fear.

He stepped closer, looming over Mimi, who still clutched the baby to her breasts as if using him as a shield.

— Who the fuck are you talking to?! — he roared again so loud the baby wailed again, sharp and pitiful.

— Jake… — Mimi flinched, clutching the bundle tighter. — She’s here! Can’t you see her? Alicia! The witch! She’s standing right… — she jabbed her trembling hand toward the doorway, her nails scraping the frame. — She’s mocking me!

Jake turned his gaze to the empty doorway. There was no one.

— Fucking hell… — he stepped back, running his hand down his face. — You… you’re hearing voices. Mimi… or fuck, Michael, whatever the hell you are… you’ve lost your damn mind.

— NO! — Mimi’s shriek ripped through the air, her breasts trembling in the corset so hard they nearly spilled from the neckline. — Jake, honey, please don’t look at me like that! I’m not crazy! She’s here!

Jake’s fists clenched tighter, his face twisted. He seemed to be battling himself, staring from Mimi to the baby to the empty doorway.

— Don’t call me “honey,” — he rasped, his voice shaking like each word was cutting him from the inside.

Mimi froze. Her heart plummeted, and the baby, feeling her trembling, stirred again and began to whimper softly. She rocked him in her arms, but her fingers shook so violently the fabric of the blanket nearly slipped free.

— J-Jake… — her voice cracked into a pitiful squeak. — You always called me… your girl… please…

— Shut up! — he barked, then instantly closed his eyes as if regretting the outburst. — You fucking faggot! Whining like a bitch! You… — he exhaled, pressing his palm to his face. — You’re not my Mimi. You’re not my wife. You’re Michael.

— I… I’m not Michael! And I don’t want to be Michael anymore! — she screamed, her breasts jerking in the corset so hard the dress strained pitifully. — I’m not him anymore, Jake! I can’t go back! I’m your wife! The mother of your child!

Alicia snorted with laughter and, leaning against the doorframe, folded her arms, watching the play.

— Oh, such passion! More dramatic than any soap opera. Well, Jake, admit it — isn’t it hilarious that your bro is now holding your kid and squealing, begging you to call him “honey”?

— Shut up! — Mimi shouted, turning toward the witch, though for Jake it looked like she was screaming at thin air.

— Jesus Christ, — he groaned, running a hand through his hair, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way out. — You… you’re seriously sick. You need help, do you understand?! — his voice cracked. — And I… I lived with this for a whole year!

Then Alicia snapped her fingers.

Snap.

And in that moment Jake froze for a second. His hand stayed tangled in his hair, his face frozen with exhaustion, anger, and a kind of contempt. Alicia tilted her head against the frame, silently watching.

— Mimi… — Jake said, lowering his hand. The movement made Mimi flinch, her shoulders shrinking as she stepped back, clutching the baby tighter.

— Jake… please… it’s not my fault… Jake, please, don’t look at me like that… I’m your wife, I’m the mother of your child, I—

She didn’t finish.

— Shhh… — Jake pulled her and the baby tight against him, his breath once more steady and warm. — It’s alright, Mimi. I’m here.

Mimi froze, unable to believe her ears. Her heart pounded like a trapped bird, but in Jake’s eyes there was no longer horror, anger, or disgust. Only that same calm certainty and love he had shown her all year.

‘He… forgot?..’ — the thought pierced her, and her lips trembled.

Jake kissed her temple, rocking them both gently.

— You’ve been too stressed. It’s okay, Mimi. We’ll get through this.

Mimi wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. She only held the baby tighter, feeling his tiny face press against her breasts.

From the doorway came a mocking sigh.

Alicia, still leaning on the frame, clapped her hands theatrically.

— Well, there’s the finale! — she drawled with a lazy gleam in her eyes. — Our sweet Jake, blissfully clueless again, everything back to proper and pretty.

Mimi shot her a look full of despair and rage, but she didn’t even have the strength to scream.

— Alright, enough of the show for today, — the witch went on, pushing off the wall and heading toward the exit. — I’ve had my fill. But, doll… — she paused, turning back with a smile that sent chills crawling down the spine, — don’t forget: all this hangs on my fingers. One snap — and the fairytale shatters.

She snapped into the air — quiet, almost to herself.

Snap.

And in that moment her silhouette dissolved into the dim hallway, leaving behind only a faint smell of smoke and laughter fading into echo.

Mimi stood in Jake’s arms, as he rocked her and the baby, completely unaware their happiness hung by a thread.

Her hands shook, but she hugged the infant tighter, whispering with trembling lips:

— Please… don’t take this from me.