Princess Aran

Chapter 1: Martin

"Hold him steady," Dr. Brooks cautions. "This one's a feisty one."

I scoff in agreement, already knowing how difficult he's been. He's run away twice on me and I had to lock down the building the last time to make sure he didn't escape. You see, Martin is incredibly valuable to us. We've been experimenting on him and studying him for two years now. Our findings in our experiments on him have created some major breakthroughs in Neuropsych and urged massive growth in psychedelic research. Today is his last experiment before we thank him for his service and put him down in three months, after prolonged observations.

I may have forgotten to mention, Martin is a rat.

Dr. Brooks feeds him the trace amounts of MDMA and I quickly put him back in his crate. Doc and I are the only ones left in the lab after a long week. It's 9:00 on a Friday night. The other interns might be interested in this work, but this research is more than work to me. I relate to this lab like it can truly transform the landscape of mental health treatment. Tulane Medical School is on the front lines of history in the field, and I want this work to become my life.

I've been looking up to Dr. Brooks since I was 17, my freshman year of college. She is on the cutting edge of psychedelic research to treat mental illnesses and is even nominated for a Nobel Prize this year. You would think that a woman like that is serious, all work no play. That could not be the case for her. I've never seen a group of scientists have more fun in a lab than with her. As an intern, I hope to continue to work under her even after I earn my doctorate. I'm getting my MA this year and will be continuing my education at Tulane. I love New Orleans and I hope that I'll stay local.

Dr. Brooks lets out a breath she was holding, obviously relieved that Martin's final dose went without a hitch. "Got any plans for the night, Aran?"

"No, Doctor," I say, removing my lab coat and smoothing my dress underneath. "I knew I wanted to stay late and work tonight. But I'm dragging Katherine out with me tomorrow. It's been so long since either of us has had a night on the town. Now that the weather is turning, Kat can't use the excuse that she doesn't want to wear a coat over her outfit."

"Sweetie, call me Adelle, please. You've stayed so late so many times that we can skip all the formalities at this point. In fact, would you like the day off on Monday?"

"No way, Doc! I'm coming in on Monday to see how this little guy is doing."

"Alright, but take care of yourself this weekend."

"Oh definitely. Kat and I are having a spa day tomorrow to spend so much-needed time together."

"Excuse me for the personal question, but are you two together?"

"Oh, no!" I let out a little giggle. "She's my best friend, almost like my sister. And no question is too personal if we're going by first names, right?"

"Of course, right!" She gives me a wink "I'll close up shop today. See you tomorrow!"

I get home at 10:00. My apartment is close to the medical school. It's a one bed one bath on the third floor of the building. It's no penthouse, but it's a nice place with a spacious kitchen and lots of windows.

I quickly shed my clothes and put on my favorite blue sweats. I pick up my phone to see 3 missed calls from Katherine and a text that reads:

Hi I'm coming over. I know I'm staying over tomorrow night after we go out but I had a hard day at work today and need my bestie.

I plop down on the couch. Just as I'm about to press dial on her name, I hear the lock on my apartment door rattle and I know it's her. She comes in looking exhausted. I know it has something to do with work, but I can't ask her about her clients due to HIPPA laws and regulations. She's a psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy with LGBT teens. So all I can do is be there for her. I give her a warm smile and take her in my arms for a big hug. She shlumps into me.

"Let's get you into pjs, watch some mid reality TV, and fall asleep on the couch. Deal?"

"Deal," she responds.

She heads into my room to grab some of my clothes, and I turn on the TV. We've been best friends since we took AP Psych in our sophomore year of high school. Both of us were always academically driven and it was easy for us to be lab partners. She was quiet when I met her and kept to herself mostly. I didn't have many friends either, but mostly because the popular kids thought I was too loud and weird, no one wanted to be seen with me. We've been inseparable ever since. In the beginning of our friendship, I was always dragging her on my adventures and she was grateful that she had someone pushing her out of her comfort zone. We've since learned a lot from each other. She's much more social now and she's helped me become grounded and unbothered by what others think of me.

A minute later she joins carrying two throw blankets from my room. We both cuddle under our blankets and within minutes, we are asleep.

________

"Fuck! Kat we're going to be late!" It's 10 AM. We're going out tonight for the first time in months so we're having a full self-care day. But our massages are in 15 minutes and my apartment is 10 minutes away, and who knows what New Orleans road work is going to look like today.

Katherine jumps up, in as much shock as I am. We rush out the door in our jammies making it just in time. My massage was wonderful, and the two of us meet back up for facials.

"So, are you going to tell me where we're going tonight?" Well fuck. I knew Kat was going to ask eventually but I made that a later problem. Now it is later and I have to tell her.

"Well, I RSVP'd us for the Sanctuary tonight!" I reply, trying to sound relaxed.

"I haven't been there. Where is it?"

"French Quarter," I respond, not knowing if I should give her more information.

"Strange, I don't know about it. Wait, why do we have to RSVP for a club?"

"Well... um... it's... uhhhhhh... private," I stumble.

"Oh girl it's a BDSM club isn't it."