Last Call (GirlxGirl, Lesbian)

Pride

"Selfie!!" Toby called, holding up his phone into the air as we embraced one another. In the background, glittering sparks of light shimmered across the dark water, reflecting off the roller coasters and helter skelters like fireworks in the night sky. "Oh my gosh, guys that's so cute!" Toby exclaimed, typing a caption ecstatically into his phone.

"Not as cute as you, though!" Ben said, turning his face towards his and meeting it with interlocking lips.

"Eww, PDA much?" I called, giggling.

"Get a room!" Katie echoed, shoving the boys lightly on the arm.

"Hey," Toby called, disengaging from the kiss reluctantly, "This is the one day we can do it and not be scared of an old couple shouting at us!" He laughed, soon being re-embraced into Ben's comforting grasp.

He was right. Tonight was Brighton Pride, known for being perhaps the biggest LGBTQ+ pride festival in the UK - and we were going to hit the town! Unfortunately, I was forced to miss most of the parade due to work: but that didn't stop me from sneaking out half way through my shift, passing across the building and watching from the fire escape staircase. It was truly beautiful to witness the sea of pride flags, the waves of colour, and the splashes of smiles across the crowds as they passed energetically underneath me.

"Tonight's going to be epic!"We all nodded; Pride was our favourite weekend of the year! We decided to go to Fusion - known for being the biggest gay bar in Brighton. We knew it was going to be packed, but that would be welcome from the thinning crowd that usually resided there on a Friday night.

I looked over across the railing as we strolled along the promenade. A blanket of pale pebbles paved the beach in the semi-darkness - the dark sea behind it reaching out into the horizon. It was on nights like this that I could really appreciate the beauty of the world - quiet, calm, and serene. Next to me, my friends, wallowing in genuine, and unprecedented joy.

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She caught my eye.

Over the thumping of loud music, despite the persistent cheering, even with the laughing of crowds all around me, she caught me attention loud and clear. We held eye contact for a few moments, viewing each other as if long lost lovers separated multitudes of years ago. And with that I was off, sweeping my way through the dense, mingling horde of dancing bodies, fighting my way to reach her. Smiling faces and swinging arms passed by me as I began to approach her. All of a sudden, the crowds gave way, and I was met with a soft, supple face.

"Hi" I mustered, "I'm Harmony"

"Oh, hi" she responded hesitantly, "I'm Lily"

"Are you alright? You look a bit... out of place?"

"Oh, yeah I'm fine." She reached out and nervously brushed her long brown hair out of her face, revealing a pair of striking green eyes. "I guess I've never been to a place like this before." 

"Really? Well, you're always welcome here! You've chosen the right night to come out, it's all going on tonight!" Despite the unholy quantity of liquid courage I'd drank tonight, talking to this girl still made me nervous. That was unusual for me - butterflies were not an issue I could say I had to face often. But if I was nervous, that was nothing to how Lily was feeling. I could sense it: in the way she spoke, her lips quivering slightly before the words came from her mouth; the way she bit her lip innocently; the look in her eyes - wide and wondrous, like a child lost in a toy shop. 

"Where are your friends?" I asked, only just realising the lack of any companions beside her.

"Uh, I came here alone. I only just got here." I just looked at her for a moment. She was unlike anyone I'd met before - so shy and reserved, but radiating a sense of brave defiance. Suddenly, I snapped into focus and beamed wide. 

"Well let's not hang around, come meet my friends!" I exclaimed, grasping her pale, petite hands and throwing myself back into the spirited crowd.