My Way to Redemption

Nice to meet you, my name is Julie.

I will introduce you to my world, and I will say in passing to everyone that it, my world, is not cool at all.

And why am I saying this? Oh! Because it's the purest truth after all, my father has kept me under lock and key at home for a long time. Dad doesn't like me hanging out with other people, he says I shouldn't trust everyone around me and so, the only friend I have is Sophie.

The two of us have been inseparable for as long as I can remember. Since the time mom was alive.

And speaking of her, I mean mom. Longing invades me. I don't have many memories of her, but because she died when I was just five years old. I don't remember her exactly, but there's a void in my chest and I know it's due to the lack of her here. After her death, I gained a second mother. I smile when I remember Claire. She really was like a second mother to me, even though she didn't have an affair with Dad. It was Claire who took care of me whenever I needed a hug, a tug on the ear. She was the housekeeper of the house and took care of everything. Dad had enormous trust in her.

I took a deep breath as I remembered Sophie and why she was my friend.

Well, for starters, our parents are partners. But I don't really like talking about it, about this damn society of theirs. Sophie's father and mine are involved in not very nice things, and that doesn't please me at all. Their work is totally wrong and criminal and, because of this shit that I live stuck at home, without being able to truly live and when I can leave, I need to be accompanied by three brutes following me wherever I go, and with that everyone always tries to avoid me as much as they can. I still remember my first kiss, the first boyfriend I had when I was still attending school, and yet it was hidden because if Mr. John, my dear father, knew he would kill me and kill the poor guy who had stayed with me. For him, the ideal man for me had to be Joe and, yuck!

Joe was much older than me. He was forty-five and I was only eighteen. I understand that age doesn't matter, but it wasn't him. I could feel that he wasn't, and he would never be the guy I would fall in love with. What I want is passion, fire, affection and Joe wouldn't give me any of that, except a good spanking. I'm sure he would do that to me or anyone who crossed his path. That man was bad and I couldn't stand him.

Claire once told me that love is sad and difficult. But it would be worth it if we found the right person. She also told me not to worry, because love would come at the right time for me and I still had a lot to enjoy. I laughed when I thought that if it were up to Dad, this would never happen. How would I even fall in love if I didn't even leave the house? My studies were completed within these damned gates, and it's been a year since my father took me away from everything, claiming it was for my safety. I roll my eyes every time I remember this scene.

Sophie is very lucky because her uncle Oliver let her go to school. He never forbade my friend to do anything, he always warned her to take care of herself and know who she was with. However, he never locked it like my father does with me and that was so frustrating.

Sophie and I were planning on going to a party for someone she knew. I confess that I was a little reluctant to agree, but in the end I ended up giving in. I don't even know why I decided to do this, because according to her, this friend hangs out with certain guys that should not be trusted and knowing my father, he would never accept that, but it didn't hurt to try.

"No, no way, Julie!" said Dad at the first opportunity.

"Dad, please, it's just a party. You know I don't even leave the house" I said softly.

"Exactly why! I want your safety, and your well-being, my daughter." He said, turning his attention to some papers on his desk.

"Uncle John, let it go. She will sleep at home and see if you can still do an investigation into the party, if you're not sure," Sophie told him.

"Girls..." Sophie and I made sad faces, and he took a deep breath "Okay, you guys won. But, I'm going to check out this little party." he said at the end.

"Thank you dad, I love you!" We both jumped on top of him, placing lots of kisses on his cheeks.

"Thank you very much uncle, I love you too. Now come Julie, we have to choose our clothes." Sophie didn't miss the opportunity and came out pulling me by the hand.

I looked back and saw Dad shaking his head. Sophie and I went up looking like two crazy people. As soon as we entered my room, we jumped, screamed and made a mess on my bed.

"Ju" she called me and I looked at her "I can't believe your dad actually let you go." she smiled.

"Neither do I, Sophie" I said, still smiling.

"My friend, at this party there will be every kitten. It would be perfect if you met someone who got out of this situation of not wanting to date," she says.

"No, I'm not interested," I told her. "I want to breathe and not go after boys."

"Ju, wake up. It's time for you to wake up. There's a world out there waiting for you and if you stay inside you won't meet the love of your life." she says, and I know my friend is right, but with the father I have, it's complicated.

"I know Sophie, but the love I want for myself only happens in fairy tales and fiction," I said.

"I know that, Julie. I know you like no one else, my friend, because you want to live an impossible love story, make it possible. You want to take risks, venture into a forbidden love, and I confess that I think you're crazy about it, but I also think you are romantic and strong enough to fight for what you want most." Sophie says, and I feel my eyes water.

"You know me well, I love you my friend." I say.

"I love you too, regardless of everything," she says, and we hug for a while.

Sophie and I spent hours deciding what we would wear. Well, actually I practiced, so I took the dress I got for my birthday and left it separate. The dress was white and wasn't too short. I chose black heels, and a light blue denim jacket and I put everything in a separate corner.

A few hours later, my best friend went to her house and I stayed in my room reading a good book. When I realized it was already past nine o'clock at night, I put the book away and threw myself on the bed, flipping over immediately.