Bloom // Peterick

Chapter 5 (unfinished)

Around fifteen minutes later, we see bright rainbow glitter and balloons on the horizon. "Land ahoy, gays! We're home!" Pete shouts back at us as he turns into a parking spot. The van gets a visible buzz as everyone around me begins to talk and laugh.

The June air is warm but not hot, and it's perfect. I see people everywhere; women are holding hands, men are kissing, people holding trans flags are dancing wildly to upbeat music. Pete's right, this does feel like home.

"It's incredible," Kellin mutters as he climbs out of the van. Vic pulls him to his hip and kisses his cheek. Kellin extends a hand to me and we shake.

"Hey, you're Patrick, right?"

"Uh, yeah. Kellin?"

"Yeah. I, uh, missed the meeting you were at. If you don't mind me asking, what are you? Like, labels."

"I'm gay," I say. Something unties inside my chest and I feel like dancing.

"Cool."

"And you?"

"Ha, I dunno. Gender doesn't really register on my radar, you know? I'm kinda pansexual and kinda genderqueer, but it doesn't really matter to me. Gender doesn't dictate the things and people in my life I'm gonna do." He smiles and leans into Vic, gesturing to him. "This is my boyfriend, Vic. He's pan." Vic waves at me and he smiles, too. Everyone is so kind and open.

They turn to talk to each other and I begin walking over in the direction of the parade. Pete runs to catch up and lead the throng of people. "So, Patrick," he starts. "Excited?"

I laugh a little and then respond "How could I not be? I'm not in school, I am at pride, and I finally have a huge group of insanely awesome friends."

"Aw, cute," he laughs and turns around so he can look where he's going. I feel a blush creeping up my neck and settling on my cheeks and ears. I turn to look back at the others. One of the best things about this group is that no one is ever left out. Everyone is always talking to someone, and that doesn't happen with so many other groups of people. Joe and Vic talk about something as Brendon, Dallon, Jack, Alex, and Ashley have a different conversation on the other side of the crowd. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is happy. Hayley's even crying, and I can hear bits of what she says. Something about being worried she wasn't lgbt enough to be accepted, something about being grateful.

I realize I love her. I realize I love all of them. Not even a full day has passed since I joined the club and I have been welcomed with open arms. Do other people have friends they love as much as this? I hope they do. Maybe even the ones who commented on the story on the gossip page.

We all stay together as we try to get up to the front of the parade. I see people in bright, sparkly clothes dancing up on bright pink, purple, and blue float. Dallon, Frank, and Ashley all whistle, and one of the female dancers turns and blows a kiss to them. Pete walks up behind me and grabs my arm. I look back at him, and he has this expression I never expected. He's awestruck. "That's me," he mutters. "I can't believe it, that's me."

"Pete?"

"This is just the coolest... this is the best thing I've ever done."

We watch the rest of the parade together. Almost the whole time, I wish that someone would sweep us up from out of the crowd and pull us onto a float. I wish that someone would hold Hayley's hand and I wish that someone would dance with Vic and that someone would kiss Ashley and that someone would thank Pete.

I will thank Pete.

A huge group of drag queens saunters through the street with loud music following them the whole way, so I have to raise my voice a little.

"Hey!" I yell while tapping on his shoulder.

He turns around while clapping for the drag queens with a huge smile on his face. "Yeah?"

"Thanks, Pete!"

"You're welcome, Patrick!"