Growing up in a conservative family that always used the Bible to guide your life and make you fearful of doing anything sinful isn't easy, especially for girls and women. In fact, it's a hard life filled with endless rules and guidelines on how a lady should act at all times while the boys and men could go out and do whatever they wanted, when they wanted, and however they wanted. It's especially hard when you're trained, and no the term "raised" won't be used whatsoever, to become a housewife that is very subservient to her husband, who is raised and taught that women must serve them at all times.
Not only that, but the young girls and women are taught to remain pure at all times for their husbands or else nobody will want to marry. The men, however, are given the chance to go out and do as they please. They can sleep with as many women as possible and not get crucified for it. Hell, even the mention of sex from a woman was seen as taboo from these families as well as exploring your sexuality. Girls and women who grew up within these households are pretty much punished for being women and shamed with the teaching of God until they learn not to ask questions and to always listen to what their parents tell them.
For our protagonist, that was the case. Monet Hazel Simmons grew up within a very conservative family that constantly went to church on Sunday and trained her all throughout her life to be pure, to dress and act a certain way, and to stay subservient to men before and after they get married. Monet hated the values her family taught her because she wanted nothing more than to just be as free and happy as her friends, whose parents did not practically beat their values into them.
Monet hated the idea of being completely submissive to a man who would do absolutely nothing around the house while she did any and everything. She hated the idea of being his maid, his mother, and his therapist while he disregarded her feelings. Monet detested all of it completely. She wanted nothing more than to find a man who would go in half and half with her on the housework and chores. She wanted a man that would actually value her opinions and not try to use the Bible to keep her completely submissive and quiet.
She pretty much just wanted a man that was the opposite of her beloved father, who was a pastor at their church downtown. Her father had trained her all of these conservative values while allowing her brother to do whatever he wanted. Monet was irritated every time she saw her brother sitting around the house doing nothing and would try to complain, but she was always hit with the same excuse,
"Your brother is a man that doesn't need to be bothered by women's work."
That response infuriated her every single time because she felt that it was unfair that she was being raised to become a "wife" while her brother sat on his ass all day and did nothing. As they got older, it became even worse because Monet wasn't allowed to go out and have fun with her friends during the night while her brother did. Monet had a curfew and her brother did not. Monet was required to dress a certain way and her brother was not. The little things that went on within her house became very clear to her at a young age and she vowed to never use those teachings for her children, especially her daughters.
Once she entered college, Monet became a little more free, or autonomous, with her student life. At first, her parents rejected the idea of her living on campus for they feared that she would be corrupted. On the other hand, Monet managed to convince them that she needed to be at school so she could focus on her studies at all times. Her parents, still wary of her living on campus, allowed her to which made Monet very happy.
After entering college, Monet completely discarded all of her parents' teachings and became more autonomous with herself and her body. She went out with her friends at all hours of the night and return to her dorm at almost four in the morning, she would dress the way she wanted to with the help of her friends, and have sex, protected sex to be precise, with men as well. Monet's college experience allowed her to try new things and be the person she always wanted to be without her parents constantly breathing down her neck.
Going back home for the holidays was a different story because Monet would instantly go back into her more conservative clothing don the personality she showed in front of her parents and her parents only. It was quite a sight to see the once lively, smart, and well known woman on campus turn back into some conservative girl that wore only skirts and dresses rather than jeans, pants, shorts, tops that showed her cleavage, and many other items her parents disapproved of. When it came to going home for the holidays, Monet made sure to just keep her social life out of the conversation altogether and tell her parents mostly about school. Her parents were none the wiser of what was really going on at Monet's school and they didn't suspect a thing since she was getting good grades anyway.
The only person who knew of Monet's Hannah Montana like life was her best friend and sister, Jade Adams. Jade and Monet have known each other since birth and they have always been stuck together like glue. The women were as thick as thieves and they always had each other's backs. They knew each other like the back of their hands and did almost everything together. Jade encouraged her best friend to stop hiding her true self and live her best life, even though Monet was fearful of what her parents would do or think when they would find out what she was doing at college other than getting good grades and attending class on time.
Now, Monet's parents did not approve of Jade one bit due to the fact that her parents were young when they had her. The Simmons' believed that Jade's sinful existence would somehow stray her away from the path of righteousness, which was laughable since Monet was already straying. The Simmons tried very hard throughout their childhood to keep the two apart, but they managed to stick like glue. Jade, in the Simmons' household, was always as an example of sinfulness to Monet, which upset her a lot. They even made it a point to tell Jade that they disapproved of her friendship with Monet because she would only drag down. It was an outrageous accusation that pissed off both girls, but their friendship continued to stay strong.
As for Jade's parents, they liked Monet despite her close minded parents and their ideals. They, especially Jade's mother, were very understanding of how Monet felt because at some point they were living a life like that. Jade's parents were the only adults Monet could go to within her life that were either not part of her church or her family that shoved their ideals down her throat. When it came to things such as sex and puberty, Monet went to Jade's parents after having one long, shame filled talk with her parents that told her nothing at all. Jade's parents pretty told her everything there was to know about sex, STD's, and protection such as birth control and condoms.
When she had lost her virginity to her boyfriend back in high school, Monet went straight to Jade's mother who took her down to the clinic and put her on birth control. Monet was thankful to at least have one adult in her life that used common sense and would not punish her for having sex. Jade's parents were the types of parents that Monet wished she had.
Fast forward to a couple years after they have graduated college, Monet now has her Master's in fashion design and Jade is working towards becoming a Producer in the movie and television industry. The two women are excited and ready to get started on their careers, but there's just one problem. What is that problem you might ask?
Well, Monet's parents have arranged a marriage between her and the son of one of the deacons within their church, Trevor Adams. Monet has barely gotten her foot in the door and yet she's already arranged to be married to someone she does not like at all and holds the same values as her parents. Not only is she livid, but she also wants her parents to understand what they're doing to her. They are forcing her to marry someone and completely throw away her dreams to become a subservient wife. It was extremely infuriating considering how Monet has known Trevor since she was a child and considering how she hated him with a passion.
Trevor was the biggest and most misogynistic pig in the universe that loved to judge women that would go out with their friend and not dress conservatively. Trevor was the type of man to shame women for being in control of their bodies and being completely autonomous. Trevor was the type of man to beat his daughters for having sex or punish them for asking about it. Trevor was the exact opposite of the type of man that she wanted.
Nonetheless, she couldn't reject him in fear of her parents completely disowning her and never wanting anything to do with her. She could reject him in fear of what her parents would do. She knew that it was better for her in the long run, but she was scared of losing her family in the end and she didn't want to think about the possible outcomes of that blowout.
"I still can't believe that you're getting married to that pig Trevor?" Jade scrunched up her face in disgust. Monet's best friend hated Trevor with a passion because of his personality and the way he came off. She hated that he expected women to be completely subservient to men and to act like wives and not hoes. Jade made it a point to express her distaste for that man.
"Me either, but you know how it is," Monet sighed.
"I know you're afraid of losing your family, Mo, but it might not turn out as bad as you think," Jade said.
"No way, Jade. After the way they reacted when my older sister Tyra got pregnant at sixteen, I'm not taking any chances," Monet shook her head vigorously. Other than her brother, Monet had an older sister named Tyra that their parents had disowned completely. All pictures of Tyra had been put away or burned and any memory of her existence had been thrown away in the trash. Monet's parents made it a point to never speak of Tyra ever again and to make sure that Monet or her brother never had contact with her again.
Despite her parents' wishes, Monet did have contact with her sister to this day and would visit her no matter what. Aside from Jade's parents, Tyra was another adult that had Monet's best interest at heart. Tyra encouraged Monet to achieve happiness in any way possible and to completely disregard their parents' training. Monet talked to her older sister all the time when she needed advice on just about anything and Tyra was happy to give it to her. Monet, although her sister did not know, was a little jealous of the freedom she had gained once she had been thrown out by their family. She was envious of the happy life that her sister was leading with loving husband and two children. If only she had the courage to stand up to her parents and achieve that kind of happiness.
"You might be right," Jade muttered remembering what had happened to her best friend's older sister.
"Besides the only upside to this entire thing is that at least I get to have a bachelorette party," Monet smiled.
"If you're going to be unhappy for the rest of your life, then we might as well make your last days as a single woman worth it," Jade informed her.
"You're right," Monet chuckled.
"Of course I am. That's why we're going to Vegas," Jade replied.
"Vegas you say?" Monet smirked.
"Mhm. We'll hit up the casinos, party all night at the clubs, have one last fuck before you walk down the aisle, and just get as crazy as we can," Jade answered.
"Now that sounds like a plan," Monet smiled.
"It sure is, hon. That's why I got two tickets ready," Jade took out two plane tickets for a five day round trip to Vegas.
"Did I ever tell you that you're the greatest friend in all of history?" Monet questioned.
"No, but you can start telling me now," Jade laughed.
"Jade, you are the greatest and most thoughtful friend in the world. I love you like a sister and I appreciate you for always being there for me," Monet said.
"Aww. Thanks," Jade beamed.
"You're welcome, Jade," Monet smiled.