Why Her?

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter 31 - Pride

My red hair was finally fading, but I liked the spunk it added. I slipped on a pair of fishnet tights and light blue shorts. I pulled on a white hoodie that had a rainbow stripe across the bust and tied on my Converse.

"Well, don't you look cute all dressed up," Venus smirked as she walked into my room as I applied some eyeliner. She plopped onto the end of my bed and watched me finish my makeup and slip on a beanie beret. "Where are you going?"

Lucas is taking me to a small pride music festival in Des Plaines.

"Oh, yeah. I heard about that being this weekend. Is Lindsey going?"

Not sure yet. Lucas hasn't replied.

"Would it be alright if I went with you guys?"

Absolutely! It would be far more fun with her around.

Plus, I was hoping with a little LGBTQ+ magic in the air, the mood would be set, and I could finally get the definitive answer on whether or not Venus was into girls.

"Great! Good thing I already got dressed." Since Venus didn't have many clothes with her, she tended to borrow some of mine. She wore her black skinny jeans with my Pierce The Veil hoodie.

Venus walked up to my mirror and grabbed the purple lipstick she left in my room. She applied a thin layer, popped her lips, and smirked at me. "Perfect."

Perfect indeed.

^^^

I am so fucking excited! Lucas squealed. I've been hoping to stare at men for a while.

Look at you getting back out there.

No, no. I will not be dating any of these guys. I might try to make out with some of them, but this is my time to ogle men without it being considered "predatory," he explained.

Good luck, I chuckled as he ran away.

"God, now I have to keep an eye on him," Lindsey complained as she ran after him.

She's a good sister, I signed to Venus, and she nodded.

"She's always felt the need to look out for him. I don't know if it's because he's deaf or it's more of a sisterly bond sort of thing."

Could be both, I shrugged.

"True," she nodded before looking out at the crowd of people lined up next to the stage. "Do you want to try to get closer, or is back here okay?"

Back here, I replied. I didn't want to get jostled up by a bunch of dancers and risk getting separated from Venus. Plus, whenever Lindsey and Lucas decided to rejoin us, they'd be able to find us better.

"Excuse me," a man addressed us from behind. Venus and I glanced back, and I stared at his rainbow attire. "Would either of you like a mark on your cheek?" he asked and showed off the NOH8 symbol of his cheek.

I nodded excitedly, and Venus agreed as well. Five minutes later, we had our alternating cheeks symbolized.

"I need to use the bathroom. Are you going to be okay waiting here for a few minutes?" she asked me, and I nodded. "I'll be right back."

Venus ran off towards the porta potties, and I faced the stage where the first band was getting ready to play. I'd heard of them, as they were a local band that played all throughout Illinois, but I'd never seen them live. I'd never seen any live bands before, so this was all exciting for me.

Until it wasn't. "Well, well, well," a familiar sinister voice spoke from behind. I didn't want to turn around and face her, but I did anyway, coming face to face with Tammy Williams, my most unforgiving bully from Arlington.