Locked Closet

"Deep breath in. Deep breath out." I say to myself in the mirror. I stare at my reflection, and my reflection stares back. I sigh. I may never be satisfied with my reflection, but this is as good as it's going to get.

My light brown hair has been softly curled, neatly parted to the side, and thrown over one shoulder with the rest hanging down my back. I have a headband to keep some of my hair out of my face. I have on a cute, lacy purple tank top, and a simple black cardigan. I also wear a denim mini skirt. I click my heels together and check my ballet flats. I'm satisfied because again, I know, that this is as good as it's going to get.

When I walk out of the bathroom, I see my twin sister. She is tapping her foot impatiently with her hands on her hips. She brightens at the sight of me and smiles. Belinda is beautiful. Although we are identical twins, she is older and always manages to look prettier than me.

Belinda parts her hair the same way I do. Her hair style is the same, except her hair is straight and her headband has a flower on it. Her tank top is purple, but not lacy. She doesn't wear a cardigan. Rather than a skirt, she wears short shorts. On her feet are black converse, the kind of converse where the rubber part on the end is also black. She laughs.

"Melinda, I swear this wasn't on purpose. The thing is, we have similar fashion taste. Except, you should lose the cardigan. You have lovely shoulders." I do what she says, and she's right. My shoulders do look nice. I look better without the cardigan. She smiles again. Belinda is always smiling. "That's better." She says.

Belinda turns on her heel and sashays to the end of the hall where our parents are waiting. Every movement Belinda makes is fluid and graceful. I just look clumsy and awkward when I try to do anything. My mother tells us to have a good time, and then Belinda and I go out to the car.

"You're older by five minutes," I say, "You can drive." Belinda grins and gets in the driver's seat. She usually smiles a lot, but tonight she seems more happy than usual.

"You're in a good mood." I observe. Belinda looks at me and smiles even wider. "Am I? Well, we are going to a great party. Who knows, maybe Daniel will be there..." Her cheeks turn slightly pink under her perfect makeup. My heart leaps, and then sinks. Melinda likes Daniel likes Belinda. I like Daniel. Belinda has no idea. I know that Daniel likes Belinda more than me. I don't blame him, who wouldn't? I'm quiet and shy, and I know all of the answers in class. Belinda isn't the best student, but not stupid. She's fun and crazy and great to be with.

It takes about ten minutes to get to the party. Belinda can't stop smiling, and I know that her cheeks will be sore by the end of the night. When we get to the street the house is on, we see that the cars stretch all the way around the corner. It's pretty warm outside, so Belinda and I don't mind walking. There is a steady stream of kids outside the house. The pumping bass is so loud, it makes the ground shake and jump beneath my feet. Some of the girls in their high heels are wobbly. I'm so glad I wore flats.

As I look around at the other girls, I laugh. Their faces are done in bright neon pinks and blues. Most of them are wearing tinier skirts than me, and you can tell they are wearing thongs. Many of the girls wobble on their heels, and their hair reeks of hairspray and cheap hair dye. Belinda and I look better than most of them. There is, however, one exception. Lana.

Lana is blonde, beautiful, and a cheerleader. She's after Daniel as well. Every girl likes Daniel, except for me (according to my sister). I see him as we enter the house. His soft brown hair is slightly spiked, and he is tall and lean with prominent muscles on his arms. Lana is all over him. Daniel looks uncomfortable, but he brightens when he sees us. I'm so glad to see him. That is, until he says hi to Belinda.

Belinda and Daniel go off on their own after Belinda waves to me. I force a smile before turning away. I don't want to ruin her night. I walk around and have a sip of beer before promptly spitting it out. I don't try to dance. Dancing is more Belinda's forte. So I try to look normal, and smile back at anyone who waves or says hi to me. Eventually, I see Daniel again. But where is Belinda?

Daniel is smiling at... me? I turn and look behind me. Belinda is nowhere in sight. I smile back. Daniel stands beside me with his arm around me. Is this really happening? Suddenly I forget about Belinda. Everyone whistles and catcalls. Suddenly, I'm being shoved into a closet with Daniel. Oh well, who am I to complain? Well, I don't complain until I hear the click of a lock, and more laughter. Then I know. We are playing seven minutes of heaven.

Daniel leans down to kiss me. My heart thumps wildly in my chest. I want to kiss him. I want to spend the next seven minutes making out with him. But what about Belinda?

"We can't tell my sister." He shrugs and nods before he kisses me. I love the feel of his soft lips against mine. My instinct is telling me to stop kissing Daniel and that something is wrong. That's when he mumbles something.

"What?" I ask.

"Belinda." He repeats. I look at him, blankly. I just stare at him. Belinda. He thinks I am my sister. Everything I felt when Daniel was kissing me turned to mush. My head begins to hurt and my stomach churns with guilt and envy.

"B-B-Belinda?" I stammer. I can't wrap my head around this. Daniel looks at me like he is confused. It wasn't like Belinda and I were wearing the same thing. Then it dawns on me. We were both wearing black shoes, denim bottoms and purple tank tops. We aren't dressed identically, but after a few beers and since the lights are low; you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

"Daniel, I'm not Belinda. I'm Melinda." His mouth drops open. He backs away from me. Then he laughs. I can hear some of the chatter outside the door hush. I can tell they are listening. The door is thrown open, and I can hear people gasp. Although the light outside of the closet is dim, it's still brighter than I was used to. I blink until my eyes get used to the light.

"Melinda!" A voice yells. I look up to see my sister. She isn't smiling. Daniel wipes his mouth. The lip gloss Belinda had so carefully applied to my lips is now smeared over his mouth. Belinda looks mad. She looks upset and almost like she is going to cry.

"Belinda-" She cuts me off with a wave of her hand. Then she walks up to Daniel and smacks him in the face. After grabbing my wrist; she drags me out the door.

The walk to the car is long and awkward. I know that the drive home will be even worse. Belinda tosses me the keys.

"You drive," She says. "I'm too drunk and upset to even speak to you."