Page 55 of Sincerely, Butterfly

Skittles lets out a softcaw, flapping his wings as he follows me from above.

“And who the hell thinks it’s a good idea to walk around a graveyard with hardly any clothes on in the middle of the night?” I grumble, feeling a breeze of air stir around me.

It’s going to rain, I can smell it.Just what I need.

A faint boom of thunder confirms my thoughts, and I look up at the sky, wondering when the clouds will break open to rain down on us.

Even with the hoodie I have on, I can still feel the coolness of the pending storm, and it makes my whole body break out into a shiver.

I wrap my arms around myself, seeking any hint of warmth.

“I’m so over tonight already, and it’s just started,” I mutter, squinting as I walk toward the mausoleum. “I swear to god if there's an open grave and I fall in, I’m gonna be really pissed.”

Skittles replies with a squawk.

“You better give me a heads up if there is, or if anyone is coming. I’m sure you can see a hell of a lot better than I can.”

With the clouds hiding the moon, it’s a lot darker than normal. I could use my phone’s flashlight, but that would put me at risk of being caught.

So, I continue to stumble my way, hoping I’m heading in the right direction. I’ve never been to this cemetery before. It’s not the one where they usually hold their parties.

From the footage Skittles got last year, the only thing I could make out was a big hill with a mausoleum on the top of it. The building almost looked like it was a part of the hill, like one of those little hobbit houses.

After a few more minutes, I break into a clearing and stumble to a stop.

“Shit,” I hiss as I duck behind a tombstone.

A few feet before me stand a group of half-naked women, all with different variations of masks.Guess I’ve found where I’m supposed to be.

I watch as Skittles lands on a tombstone closer to the group of girls.

Having him close by settles something inside me, making me a little more relaxed.

Pulling my bunny mask free from the tote bag I brought, I place it on the ground next to me before taking off my sweatpants and hoodie. When I’m only left in the white silk nightgown I chose to wear, I shove my clothes into the bag and place it behind the tombstone.

Grabbing the teal bunny mask, I slip it into place, making sure it’s secure before taking a deep breath.

“I can do this. I got this. Positive thoughts, Nola. They will pick you. It’s your destiny. They’re meant to be yours, you theirs. It’s going to happen.”

It has to happen. Fuck, I really hope this works out in my favor.

Once my pulse is at a relatively normal pace, I throw my shoulders back and stand tall with my head held high, walking over to join the gathering of girls.

Their whispers of excitement die the moment they notice me, a reminder of why I shouldn’t be here.

Gee. Tough crowd.

Even with my identity hidden, it’s like they know I don’t belong and have no business being here.

Maybe the few drinks I had to help build my confidence weren’t the best idea because my stomach is starting to churn, mixing with the nerves that are already eating me alive.

Doing my best to ignore their icy glares, I observe them right back. I couldn’t care less what any of these women think of me.

We all might be here to offer our bodies up for these men, but we’re not the same.

I’m here for a chance to be withmymen. The guys I’ve been in love with for years.

They’re here for the chance at an easy payout. While I don’t know the details of what goes on in there, I do know every woman in the past who has been picked has come out of this experience as a different person.