"Call me if anything happens. You've got my mobile number and my work number. You have your dad's number and your sister's number, just in case." She turned to Matt. "Does he have your mum's number in case your phone dies?"
"Mum. I have everyone's number. Aunt Joanne called me. She said she can pick me up if anything happens, but she might be late due to traffic."
I took her hands in mine and kissed her cheek.
"Stay safe." She yelled as we left my house.
We got the train and met some others along the way. It was so crowded.
"Hey, do you want some?" Sophie said, offering me some rainbow face paint.
I nodded, and she ran something across my face. I looked in a mirror she gave me and saw the rainbow sitting proudly on my cheek.
"Oh, I've got these," I said as I reached into my pocket. "They are clips. Mum said if we put them through the holes in the flags and clip it, it will keep it in place and we can wear them as capes.
"Sweet." She said, taking one and securing her lesbian flag in place.
I helped Matt with his.
"Maybe I'll meet a cute guy," he said, smiling widely.
"Maybe. Maybe we both will." I replied as I ran the rainbow marker through his hair, leaving colour streaks that stuck out in weird angles.
I had debated which flag to wear. I could be out and proud about being trans, or I could out and proud about being gay.
I had gone for the trans flag. It hung proudly over my shoulders.
"There are so many people here." I said, looking around at all of the flags and bright colours.
"First time?"
I turned to see who had just spoken.
"Yeah, first time."
"Ah, I remember my first time. You'll enjoy it, I promise." The drag queen blew me a kiss as she walked off.
"This is incredible. I never realised how big it was."
"Look around William. This is us. We will never be alone."
The parade started, and cheers erupted through the air. People in the parade threw bright balloons and sparkles as the crowds sang along to songs, and danced like nobody was watching. People were hugging and clapping.
"There are people of all ages here," I shouted to Matt over the music.
"Yeah. It's a mixture of a celebration and protest for LGBTQ+ rights."
"I never knew how many people came to pride."
A trans float passed with people of all ages and genders waving down at us.
"You'll never be alone, William," Sophie said as she took my hand.
"You have us, and the rest of your community." Matt took my other hand.
A float passed us with a massive banner across it.
"We are stronger together!"
I looked at my friends and to the people around us. The smiles and tears on everyone's faces, the cheers of the crowds under the glow of the rainbow, and I never felt safer.
This is my life, and it is perfect. This is my fresh start.
YOU ARE READING
The Glow of the Rainbow
Short StoryWilliam Adams has already had a first-year at college, but after an incident at the school, he and his family moved away from the area, in search for a fresh start. So here he is, restarting the first year in a new college. After everything, all he...
