Contents
Butterfly Boys
Pronouns
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
The End
Books By This Author
Butterfly Boys
By
CAMERON JAMES
Published in 2020
Copyright © The author as named on the book cover.
The author or authors assert their moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author or authors of this work.
All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
Pronouns
Samuel Addison – he/him
Frankie Bruno– he/him
Nick Addison - he/him
Olly Andrews – he/him
Chandler McCormick– he/him
Skylar Reynolds– they/them
Oakley May– he/him
Riley May – he/him
Kieran May – he/him
Rory May – he/him
Alistair Madison – he/him
Luca May– he/him
Connor May – he/him
Enzo Madison– zir/zie
Caleb Madison– they/them
Emma Madison – she/her
Chapter One
The sun was beating down, an all-time high for the United Kingdom in July. A scorching thirty-five degrees Celsius competing solidly with the great heat wave of 1995, one of the hottest summers to have been seen, or so my grandmother kept telling me.
When I had commented that it didn’t actually sound that hot, she tutted at me telling me to try being nine months pregnant and to get back to her. I never commented again, and will never again as now, I sat on some stone steps watching the brightly coloured Pride parade from above, sweating through my t-shirt and shorts, and wondering if I could really see someone giving out free cans of something that looked cold in the distance or whether it was a mirage.
“Here Sammy.”
An ice pop appeared in my eye line, it holding its shape spectacularly given most of the bottom was already liquid.
“Cool yourself off my love.” Frankie said grinning at me as he sat beside me on the steps. His ice pop in his mouth as he leant his head on my shoulder, watching as the parade passed through. Until the pink and blue blobs of Oakley and Skylar’s hair began making their way towards us. Their hands together as they weaved their way through the hordes and hordes of people with whistles, and flags and balloons. They stopped as one, searching around the gardens until Skylar pointed up towards us. Frankie and I waved back, making Skylar laugh and begin to drag Oakley with them, until Oakley saw us and picked up a run. They broke hands as they ran up the stairs towards us.
“We got stuck on the other side of the parade.” Skylar said then turned and laughed as Oakley continued up the stairs.
“We figured it’d be easier to just stay until the parade passed.” Oakley said then he cuddled Frankie, who laughed in delight and cuddled him back.
“Riley has requested we all do an hour on the table.” Skylar said as they sat on the step below us. I passed them the end of my ice pop, they seemed grateful for it.
“There’s a list and everything.” Oakley said amused, “but, once we’ve done the hour we can go and get drunk.”
“Yes, yes we can.” Frankie said as he gasped, his hand landing on my thigh and stroking up it before he squeezed. “We can go and get drunk.” He said gleefully, I laughed.
“Dad and Pa said we can stay at my house tonight afterwards.” Oakley said nodding, as he started down the stairs, we followed. “Presuming of course we don’t bring anyone back.” he said raising his eyebrow at me, I gasped far too dramatically.
“You shouldn’t be looking at me, try looking at him.” I said, Frankie laughed as he reached for Skylar’s hand to lead him down the stairs.
“I would never.” He said in a gasp, “would I ever?” he said more to Skylar.
“That’s a firm yes Frankie.” They said as they began to lead him towards the stalls.
We slowed our walk, examining the stalls as we passed them. Most were pretty standard, keyrings of every flag, homemade beaded bracelets, flags on little sticks to wave, flags and safety pins to wear as capes. Books, fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels and small comics. Everything you ever wanted to celebrate your gender or your sexuality all on one stretch of tables underneath canvases with little baskets on stating FREE BADGE, PLEASE TAKE.
A request that Frankie and Skylar could not refuse as they jumped from stall to stall soon filling the entirety of the bib of his dungarees with multi-coloured badges, that stated LOVE and PRIDE and RESPECT MY PRONOUNS, coupled of course with a trans flag badge that read HE/HIM, whilst Skylar proudly showed off their THEY/THEM badge that was pinned to their t-shirt. They held out a similar one to Oakley reading HE/THEY whilst Frankie gave me a HE/HIM, smiling happily as I pinned it to my own t-shirt, then linking our arms around each other to complete the walk down the stalls.
Towards the pièce de résistance, the explosion that was the Rainbow Connection stalls. They dominated the giant marquee every table a different branch of their support, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, intersex, trans and non-binary. Every person stood behind the table in a t-shirt of their flag, talking and laughing with the people who passed by. Offering out leaflets and sweets.
“I picked you up a badge.” Skylar said as they skipped their way over to the non-binary stand, were Riley and Enzo were currently stood in their yellow, white, purple and black t-shirts offering leaflets and nonbinary flag keyrings that we’d sat and made during our meeting the Thursday just gone after getting over the initial excitement of using paper that shrunk when we put it in the oven.
“A badge?” Enzo asked, Skylar nodded as they handed over the ZIE/ZIR pin. Enzo laughed happily walking around the table and cuddling Skylar.
“Everyone’s doing an hour.” Riley said as he unfolded a piece of paper that had scribbles all over it. “Just so everyone also gets a chance to look around the stalls.” He added, we all nodded back to him as Enzo pinned zir badge to zie t-shirt. “Sam and Frankie, you guys are next.” Riley said, he sounded cheerful, “Skylar and Oak, you’re after them. Enzo, you and Caleb will take the second to last hour and I’ll do the end until pack up. Deal?” he asked, we all nodded back.
“And yes, we do have these beautiful t-shirts for you, too.” Enzo said happily reaching behind the table for a cardboard box that zie planted on the floor,
“Thank god.” I murmured as Frankie opened up the box. “My t-shirt is drenched from sweat.”
“Lovely.” Enzo said, I looked up at zie as zie scrunched zir nose at me so I laughed.
“It’s hot out there I’ll have you know.” I stated as Frankie passed me up a t-shirt.
“Here sweet
heart.” He said grinning at me, “get rid of that boy stink.”
“Shush.” I said, he laughed as he went into his bag throwing up an aerosol can and pulling his tongue at me, so I did it back.
Frankie and I sat on the floor in front of the table attaching a non-binary flag to the braces of Frankie’s dungarees as Oakley and Skylar’s hour began to draw to a close. They’d been extremely enthusiastic during their time, practically throwing glitter at passer-byers and engaging people in loud laughter filled conversations that mostly revolved around the colour of their hair, until Enzo and Caleb came to relieve them.
“Be free young people.” Caleb said as they stepped around the table and searched through the cardboard box until they found the last t-shirt.
“Have fun.” Enzo said as zie ran zir fingers through Skylar’s hair. “We’ll come find you a bit later on.” Zie said, Skylar nodded whilst stepping around the table, letting Enzo take their place.
“Did you happen to see my son whilst you were out there?” Alistair, Enzo’s twin brother who was dressed in the same t-shirt as us except for it being the blue, pink and white of the trans flag, asked as he walked towards the table. Enzo nodded once the amusement clear.
“Luca, I presume?” Zie asked, Alistair nodded.
“Rory…” Alistair’s husband, older brother of Oakley, and father of Luca, “lost him an hour or so ago.”
“And you’re not more worried?” Frankie asked as he stood, Alistair shook his head amused.
“He’s thirteen, he’ll be fine.” He said, although it sounded a bit like he didn’t believe it himself.
“We saw Luca at the main stage.” Enzo said, Alistair raised an eyebrow at zie. “The drag queens were on.” Enzo whispered; Alistair laughed.
“Of course.” He said shaking his head, “I should’ve known.” He said amused then reached his arm out, Rory, who was supporting a bisexual version of our shirt, took his hand and accepted the somewhat hug. “Drag Queens.” He said, Rory laughed as he nodded.
“Drag Queens of course.” He said laughing, “are you guys off to get drunk?” he asked, Oakley nodded.
“We certainly are.” He said excitedly as he hugged Rory.
“Staying at Dad’s tonight?” he asked, we all nodded back as he swayed with Oakley. “Stay safe lovely. I’ll probably see you tomorrow for Sunday lunch.” He said then kissed Oakley’s cheek, Oakley kissed his back.
“Let’s go.” Oakley whispered; Rory laughed behind him.
“Be sensible.” He said as Oakley grabbed hold of Skylar’s hand and began to run with them out of the tent, towards the main stage that was currently occupied by a drag queen, her name, Daisy, was written in cursive on the giant LED screen, a shine flowing through it every now and again as she sang with some power behind her.
“Luca.” Oakley said in a laugh as he navigated the maze of people sat on picnic blankets on the floor until he reached his thirteen year old nephew, who was sat, cross legged looking up at the stage with a pure look of awe on his face. He jumped when Oakley’s hands landed on his shoulders, then he turned and laughed.
“Oak.” He said shaking his head, “isn’t she amazing.” He said pointing up at the Queen. “Beautiful and she can sing.” He said in a sigh, then sat back looking up at her as I squeezed Frankie’s arm.
“Cider?” I asked, he hummed.
“Strawberry cider.” He said, I nodded.
“Of course.” I said softly then turned to Skylar.
“Vodka cranberry.” They said, I looked down at Oakley.
“Beer.” He said amused as he sat beside Luca. “Whatever you’re having.” He added, as I tapped Luca’s head, he looked up at me confused.
“I’m thirteen.” He said, I gasped.
“So you can’t have a drink?”
“Coke.” He said amused, I nodded back to him going back through the growing crowds of people until I found the bar, slipping my way to the front, and bumping straight into a girl who was holding her money up in front of her whilst trying in vain to get the bartenders attention. She turned to look at me, laughing and shaking her head in a I can’t believe he keeps ignoring me kind of way.
“Chandler.” I said, he turned to me from taking the money from another person, and nodded to me. “Do me a favour.” I said, he laughed nodding to me, putting the money into the till and walking towards us.
“What can I do for you Sam?” he asked, I nodded to the girl next to me.
“Serve this beautiful young lady first.” I said, she laughed in a coy way as Chandler nodded raising his eyebrow at me.
“Well, what can I get you… Miss?” he said, I laughed as she grinned at me nodding then turned back to Chandler.
“Two beers, please.” She said softly, he nodded reaching into the fridge and opening up two bottles of beer, slipping two limes into the necks and sliding them across the bar. He nodded to her as he passed over her change then looked at me,
“Let me guess…” he said thoughtfully, “beer for you.” He said, I nodded. “Cider for Frankie?”
“Strawberry cider this time.” I said amused, “vodka cranberry, another beer and a coke.”
“Oh the whole gangs here, how fun.” He said almost drolly, I laughed. “Olly and I will, I’m sure have some great complaints.” He said, I put my finger on my lips.
“We are literally going to a festival with you two in three days. Get the fuck over it.” I said, he laughed as he put my drinks on the top of the bar.
“Fifteen eighty.” He said, I nodded passing him a twenty, then followed his nod behind me. “And you have to tell me what happens with her.” He whispered, I laughed as the girl who was stood next to me was now on the outskirts of the group, another girl with her them both giggling and whispering. I bit my lip. “I liked how you did that.”
“I wasn’t…” I said he laughed as he dropped the four pound coins into my hand.
“Give over.” He said laughing, “I’m ace, and even I know you were flirting up a storm.” He said, I sighed then took the drinks off the top. Carrying them through the crowd until I reached her.
“Thanks.” She whispered, “I wanted to say thanks.”
“Well, you’re welcome.”
“Lydia.” She said, I smiled. “Sam.” She added, I nodded.
“Sam.” I agreed,
“Well, Sam, if you’re looking for me once you’ve given the drinks to your friends, I’ll be… over there.” She said pointing away from us, I followed where her finger was pointing then I nodded to her, smiling at her before walking back towards where we were sat. Passing the drinks out then taking a sip of my own.
“I’m just going the toilet.” I whispered to Frankie he nodded to me, lifting his cup to me so I nodded back as I stood from the blanket and walked back through, walking past the bar. Ignoring Chandler’s smirk as I continued pass the excessive porta-loos until I saw Lydia. She smiled at me as she pushed herself off where she was leaning on the tree.
“I can’t believe I forgot where I was.” She said, I almost frowned. “You’re not gay?”
“No.” I said amused, “or at least not fully.”
“Not fully.”
“Pan.” I said softly, “I’m pan.”
“Bi.” She replied, I smiled,
“So I can kiss you?” I whispered, she nodded grinning at me before pulling me towards her, and kissing me. We moved together, backwards until we hit the wall that surrounded the gardens. We both laughed once we jolted, then I grinned at her as she turned us so my back was against the wall, her finger touching her lips then she nodded to me, so I nodded back.
“The queue for those toilets must’ve been hell.” Frankie commented as I sat back beside him, pulling a face at my now lukewarm beer. I glanced at him as he winked so I shook my head laughing as a home grown band started their set.
“Chandler’s on the bar. You know.” I said, Frankie frowned,
“Our friend Chandler.”
“Yeah, perfect job for him really,
get to wear all black.” I said, Frankie laughed knocking against me until we were swaying along with the music.
“They’re not bad, are they.” Enzo said as zie came up behind us, sitting zirself next to us with Caleb. Alistair and Rory followed with Riley, and Oakley’s Dad, Kieran.
“Actually, not half bad.” Rory said sounding surprised, Luca turned to look at him, grinning at him as Rory ruffled up his hair.
“Drinks young people?” Riley asked before he sat down, we nodded back to him, reeling off a request list, and applauding him when he repeated it back correctly.
“Come on Luca, help me carry the drinks.” Riley said, Luca nodded hopping up and walking with him.
“You’re not drinking?” Oakley said frowning at Enzo who shook zir head as zie searched for something to say. “That’s not like you.” He added; Enzo laughed hitting Oakley on the arm.
“Be quiet. I’m just going soft.” Zie said, as Caleb, zirs partner rubbed zirs back. Enzo turning to look at Alistair who was grinning at zir. “Shut up.” Zie added hitting Alistair’s knee. Frankie laughed.
“Let it go Oakley. It’s not like zies pregnant.” He said, Enzo looked towards him, Frankie almost choked.
“Wait, are you?” he asked, Enzo opened zir mouth but no words came out, I laughed.
“Shit, are you pregnant?” Oakley asked, Enzo nodded slowly turning to look at Caleb.
“I kind of wish I’d told you first.” Zie said, Caleb laughed.
“We’re having another baby?” Caleb asked, Enzo nodded.
“Well…” zie said, “another, two.”
“Twins.”
“You’re having twins?”
“We’re having twins.” Caleb repeated in shock, Enzo nodded meekly,
“I was going to tell you tomorrow. I only found out yesterday.” Enzo said, then turned back to Frankie. “This is your fault.” Zie said, Frankie laughed.
“I’m sorry I was taking the piss.” Frankie said hiding his head into my shoulder, so I stroked through his hair.
“You knew didn’t you.” Caleb said to Alistair, who grinned back.
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