“I was going to what?” Milo asked as he came up behind me, his arm draping over my shoulder as the other came around in front of me showing me the screen of his phone, I smiled almost instantly as the video showed Riley picking Kieran up.
“Tie your drag queen down.” Kaiden said, Milo laughed.
“Not until we go away.” He said, I looked at him, “that’s planned. Don’t worry.” He added winking at Kaiden who grinned right back.
“Right I need a piss, then we can walk around, maybe outside?” Kaiden said to Luke who nodded,
“Main stage, half seven.” Milo said,
“I’ll see you there.” Kaiden replied, then nodded to me before stepping around the table, taking a swig out of the coke then walking with Luke out the tent, I looked at Milo.
“Chin up sweetheart.” He whispered to Aoife, who sighed as she followed Kaiden out of the tent with her eyes. “I know you answered Avory truthfully, you were scared to tell your boyfriends your trans.” He said, “but he wouldn’t care.”
“He wouldn’t.” she agreed, “but I’m pretty certain he just saw right through me.” she said, Milo sighed,
“I don’t think so.” He said, I shook my head.
“I think he needed a piss and you shouldn’t be so touchy.” I said, she looked at me. I took a step back.
“I prefer Milo you know. He’s sensitive.” she stated. “I want to move in with you and your Drag Queen.” She added. “You’re my new best friend.”
“Friendship accepted.” He said, then he turned and squeaked as he hugged Kieran.
We were all at main stage for seven fifteen, saving the space as Milo and Kaiden brought a round of drinks for everyone. We’d sat ourselves close to the stage, half of us on the flag we’d used to march with and half of us on the table cloth that had been put on the table.
“Right this was my first pride though.” Ashley said, “gay, Trans whatever, first all-round pride.”
“And?” Riley asked, Ashley laughed.
“Pretty fucking awesome.” He said,
“Here, here.” Jesse said almost absently as he continued to scroll through his phone, I looked over his shoulder, he was going through pictures of Ashley and him with various filters.
“I mean, parade, free t-shirt, proposal.” He said, “like bucket list.” Ashley said, I watched as Kieran and Riley high-fived.
“Was there a ring?” I asked, Kieran looked up at Riley as he nodded.
“There is a ring but it wasn’t ready on time, and I knew pride was the place to do it so…”
“The ring will come later.” Kieran said, then leant back against Riley,
“Gives you time to say no.” Luke said, Kieran laughed,
“Don’t be so cynical.” He said, Luke laughed then turned and accepted the pint in a plastic cup that Kaiden passed to him.
“Not drinking Kai?” Kieran said as Kaiden sat beside Luke,
“Not tonight.” He replied amused, looking into his cup of coke. I got the same, Mickey glanced at me, so I shook my head.
“I think I’ve had plenty to drink.” I told him as he accepted the beer he was given.
“Is this okay?” he asked holding the cup up to me, so I nodded stroking down his chest as he took a sip as Milo passed a pint to me and two mixers to Kieran and Riley. Two more, I presume mixers, went to Ashley and Jesse and then the volume rose so I turned looking at the stage as a trans flag flew on the LED screens along to the sound of a heartbeat, until a very bouncy man came out onto the stage, his main aim to rally up the audience, most of which had alcohol so truly didn’t need more rallying.
“Welcome onto the stage… the Rose Quartet Queens.” He shouted into the microphone, then the stage went dark. Ariana Grande’s One Last Time started through the speakers, it ran through once then the track stuttered and the first spotlight shone down onto the first Queen stood on the stage, a tall ginger Queen, in a pink crop top, and a baby blue skirt, a white pair of Chuck Taylors, a microphone at her side, and her hand on her hip. The track stuttered again, the second spotlight shone down on the next Queen, a shorter Queen with raspberry pink hair, a white and lilac summer dress and turquoise heels, and then of course the third Queen, another tall Queen with a black afro wig, she wore a pink, purple and blue playsuit the purple and blue stripped into a V at the bust, she’d accompanied her outfit with a pair of white platform heels.
“Oh my god.” I heard to my side, I glanced at Ashley as he shook his head as if he was amazed.
“Never seen a drag queen before Ash?” Milo said from behind me, Ashley shook his head making me smile. “They said they’d try and do the flags.” Milo said, so I looked at him as the ginger Queen started the song. “So…”
“Ginger is trans?” I asked,
“Cherry Blossom.” Milo said laughing, “And yes she is.” He added, “Daisy in the middle is bigender, and my favourite.”
“Robin.” Ashley whispered,
“Is agender.” He said,
“Wait…” Ashley said, “that’s Avory. That’s some kind of witch-shit that.” He said,
“And that’s enough alcohol for you.” Jesse almost whispered, I began to laugh then looked back towards the stage as they hit the chorus.
“So beautiful.” Ashley gasped as Robin joined us hugging Milo happily,
“Was that a compliment in my direction?” Robin asked, turning then grinning at Ashley as he gasped up at her, “oh sweetheart.” She added and hugged him; Ashley laughed happily.
“So awesome.” He whispered; Robin almost picked him up making him laugh.
“Robin!” the smaller Queen, Daisy shouted so she turned, “drinks!” she stated, Robin nodded.
“Course, course. What about my RCT boys? And lady. Drinks?” she asked, I looked towards Mickey just about catching him staring at me, he blushed as he looked down, so I laughed.
“I think we’ll head back.” I said softly, Mickey nodded grinning up at me.
“We could go back to our place.” Kieran said, I looked at him, “we’ll be taking Jesse back anyway, I presume Ash is coming with.” He said, Ashley somehow managed to blush even though he was looking up at Robin with such wonder. “Have a few drinks maybe?” he asked,
“I’m up for that.” Kaiden said, “Luke?”
“Yeah.” Luke said shrugging at him,
“Sure.” I said, as Mickey stood behind me his arms over my shoulders as we swayed. “I’m up for it.” I said, Kieran smiled at me as Milo pulled Robin back.
“My trans gang is abandoning me.” He said, Robin laughed as Milo held her waist,
“Well you can come and drink with us Queens.” She almost purred back at him, then kissed him.
“Oh my god I’m in love with a drag queen.” Ashley moaned, Aoife took his hand,
“We all are sweetheart.” she said, he laughed although it very nearly sounded pained, she pulled him towards her wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “Are you drunk?”
“Oh god I hope so.” He replied I laughed as I rubbed his arm.
“Here mate.” Kaiden said so I looked up and at him as he gave Ashley a bottle of water, Ashley seemed grateful as he took the water.
“Ready?” Kieran said then hugged Milo, who then proceeded to make his way around the group, squeezing Ashley’s shoulder as he continued to sip on the water then he hugged me.
“Pit stop.” Riley declared, “if Kie insists on hosting we need the drink.” He said, then pushed open the door to the off licence which they then piled into. I however pulled Mickey’s hand so he stayed back he turned to look at me, concern crossing his face however briefly.
“I need your help.” I said coyly, he rose his eyebrow at me. “I need the toilet.” I said quietly, his lip quirked, I hit his shoulder. “Mickey.” I stated then, “there’s no where to go around here.”
“Rite of passage.” He whispered, I frowned at him as he turned catching Kieran’s arm. “We’ll be back in a minute.” He said, Kieran nodded smiling at us. Micke
y held his hand out to me; I bit my lip then took his hand in mine. He pulled me around the corner into the side alley. “I’m honestly surprised you haven’t done this yet.” He said then pulled me closer to him, wrapping our arms around me.
“Not had many opportunities.” I mocked, he grinned at me as he let go of my hand, holding his out in front of him as if presenting the alley to me. I sighed although it came out amused.
“Won’t we get caught?” I whispered; he shook his head.
“I promise.” He said lifting his little finger to me, I smiled as I linked his with mine shaking our hands together. “I’ll even do it with you.” He added as he let go out of fingers. I watched him amused as he pulled on his four-button fly, before reaching into his pants as if he wasn’t at all worried or nervous about the situation, so I copied. Tugging down the zip of my jeans, and reaching into my boxers as I took a deep breath. I glanced across at him, smiling lightly then relaxing as he winked at me.
We high-fived when I’d redone my pants, then began to laugh together as he wrapped his arm around me cuddling me close to him and walking me back out the alley watching as Kaiden stepped out of the shop with Riley.
“Where did you to disappear too?” Kaiden asked as he held a water bottle to us, we both thanked him with a nod.
“We had a date with an alley.” Mickey said as he drank from the bottle then passed it to me.
“Ah the joys of a new penis.” Kaiden said whimsically, I almost spluttered water down myself when I laughed, Riley shook his head at me then turned to Kaiden.
“I wouldn’t know.” He said dramatically, Kaiden groaned at him then took a step back as Kieran came through the door with Ashley. He directed him to the drain.
“Oh no.” Mickey whispered,
“Oh I’ve been there.” I groaned,
“At least he’s taking responsibility for his own vomit.” Kieran said as he rubbed Ashley’s back.
“He did Pride right.” Luke said, “I’m proud.” He added whilst taking a beer from the six pack he was carrying and opening it, Mickey did the same as Jesse passed an open water bottle over to Ashley watching him drink it, then hugged his shoulders walking him down the street with Kieran so I followed.
Ashley and Jesse went to bed almost instantly, and after a few beers, Riley and Kieran followed, wishing us all a good night before disappearing down the corridor. Kaiden and Aoife disappeared too off to a secluded area whilst Luke made up a bed on the couch.
I sat with Mickey by the window as Kieran and Riley’s flat had to the floor windows all the way around the living room. It was quiet beneath us, only the occasional car whizzing down the street. I turned from looking out to the street, to Mickey who instantly blushed when he saw me looking back at him, so I knelt closer, my knees slipping between his legs as he opened them further so I could fit. His hands came to my hips, a smile on his face as I lifted his chin then I kissed him.
“Thank you for coming today.” I whispered, he grinned up at me as he stroked his nose over my cheek.
“I admittedly had a lot of fun.” He whispered then kissed my cheek. “A lot more than expected.” He added then kissed my chin, then my neck. His lips lingering for a little while. I gasped out when I felt him sucking against my neck. His grin was playful when he moved his head back, my hand going to my neck.
“I’ll get you back for that.” I whispered; his eyes sparkled and he kissed me again.
“Promises, promises.” He practically growled at me, I sat back on my ankles.
“Not tonight.” I whispered looking away from him back out of the window. He turned my chin back,
“Casey.”
“I don’t think I’m quite ready yet to do that.” I whispered,
“That’s okay.” He said nodding, “in fact, that’s more than okay.” He said, I sighed as he stroked over my cheeks. “I promise Casey. We won’t do anything until you’re ready too.”
“I’m sorry.” I whispered, he laughed shaking his head.
“Don’t be.” He stated, “not at all. In fact, I won’t allow you to be sorry. I’m fine if we just make out a little, I’m fine if we do nothing and just go to sleep. I’m fine either way, happy either way. You don’t need to be sorry.”
I kissed him again. He laughed holding onto my chin and deepening the kiss until he butted his head back on the wall.
“Ow.” He whispered, I laughed resting my head on his chest.
“You know just because I’m not ready for that yet.” I said then looked up at him, he rose his eyebrow at me, I did it back. “Doesn’t mean I can’t do something for you.” I said then looked around the room. I didn’t know where Aoife and Kaiden had gone and I could just about see the light from Luke’s phone, I turned back to Mickey as he laughed and then, he kissed me again.
⚫⚫⚫
I found myself sat beside Morgan on Mickey’s bed, the two of us silently awaiting whatever command was going to come at us. We’d both watched Mickey get dressed, three times, and had been choked by the aftershave that followed the outfit he was choosing to wear.
“Have you ever seen Mickey stressed?” Morgan whispered, I frowned at him.
“You’ve known him longer than me.” I whispered back, he laughed.
“I know.” He said, so I looked at Mickey as he chewed on his thumbnail and checked his phone.
“Mickey.” I said, he looked up at me, “are you okay?” I added, he smiled, the same smile he’d given me as we lay together in bed and I told him, in a dead serious voice that if we were to get married, my name would be Casey Cassidy. He’d smiled at me, then he laughed and he laughed, and soon I laughed with him.
“Yes.” He said nodding, I narrowed my eyes at him, “you don’t believe me.”
“No.” I replied, so he came to me, taking both of my hands and standing me up, he kissed me then looked at Morgan over my shoulder.
“I’ll meet you there okay?” He asked, I turned so I could frown at him, “you’ll see.” He added, before standing, squeezing Mickey’s shoulder and leaving his bedroom.
“Shall we get going?” He asked, I nodded because I feared it’d stress him out if I shook my head.
His function room party, was in fact a function room. His parents had gotten there before us, and had decorated with green (his favourite colour) and white balloons and a banner, Happy 18th Birthday Mickey, with of course the mandatory toddler photograph.
I stood and looked at it for a long time, mostly because he hadn’t changed, he was smiling widely, all four of his teeth on display in the picture, his hands out in front of him as if he was trying to grab the camera. He had a Thomas the Tank Engine knitted jumper on and jeans, but I was looking at his eyes until he came up behind me, slipping his arms over my shoulders and cuddling me.
“What do you see?”
“You.” I replied, he laughed into my ear.
We helped his parents set out the buffet then stood in anticipation at his cake, his parents refused to tell him anything about it, so we both stood as the lady who’d made the cake put the box on the table and began to lift the box away. He was laughing almost instantly, I just stood beside him grinning at the two-tier cake with maths symbols and equations on it and a calculator sat on top, spelling out Mickey in the display.
“Awesome.” He whispered then went to find his parents, so I stood, looking at his cake until someone tapped me on the shoulder.
“Casey,” Morgan said, I turned, “this is Isabelle.” He added, I practically beamed at her.
“Isabelle!” I squeaked back then hugged her, she seemed surprised but hugged me back. Then I looked at her, she was wearing a prom dress, white and covered in flowers, her hair done up in a bun. “You look so pretty.” I said, Morgan winked at me.
“Told you.” He said, she shook her head, playfully hitting him.
“You be quiet.” She said simply, Morgan grinned.
“I better introduce you to Mickey, right?” Morgan said. “Then I’ll get you a drink. Casey, dri
nk?” He said.
“Coke.” I replied, he frowned at me, I looked down, smiling to myself.
“Coke it is.” He said thoughtfully, before guiding Isabelle away.
I went to sit with the two of them as Mickey stood alongside his mother greeting guests, family members and his parent’s friends mostly, then he was ran at by Aoife who he laughed loudly with then placed her down. She came to find me, I stood before her putting my hand out to her so I could look at her properly, her dress was also up to her knees and a maroon colour, all lacy with long sleeves, she had accompanied it with black heels, so I had to look up at her even more so than usual.
“You look beautiful.” I said, she cuddled me.
“You too!” She replied, I shook my head because I looked as if my mother had dressed me, in my white shirt, black blazer and dark denim jeans. “Don’t you dare shake that head.” She said pointing at me, “and who is this beauty sat beside my fave Morgan.” She said, going to Isabelle and obviously shocking her.
“Be calm Aoife.” Morgan warned, Aoife pouted at him. “This is my girlfriend.”
“Oh my God! She is real.” She said to me, I began giggling.
“What are you drinking Aoife?” I asked.
“Put some vodka in it, I’ll drink it.” She replied then sat beside Isabelle. I delivered the vodka and coke then took the pint to Mickey, who appeared to be quite appreciative of it.
“You’re the best.” He whispered, taking a sip then passing it back to me so he could hug his Grandmother, he took the pint back as I smiled at Milo as he came through the door with Avory.
“How are you feeling?” Milo asked as he hugged me as Avory passed the gift bag to Mickey.
“Good. I feel really good.” I said nodding.
“Kai is coming, I’m sure he’ll also give you a grilling.” He said amused, “and I think the rest of the group is too actually.” He said thoughtfully, I nodded.
“I had to promise Kieran that I wouldn’t let Jesse or Ashley drink.” I said laughing, Milo grinned at me before taking Avory by the hand and walking to a table with him.
Casey Page 20