Behind The Mask

Chapter 24

"I don't know if we should go..." I say as I look around the bedroom we had been sharing with Cameron for the last few days. "I mean, maybe we should just get back to New York or something. Or maybe we can do something."

"New Years is supposed to be for trying new things!" E.J. exclaimed jumping up and down on the bed. "Besides... I will protect you. You don't need to be afraid. Nobody will hit on you."

"Yeah. Good point. I will leave my mask here, that way everyone will stay clear of me," I mumble under my breath as I sit down on the floor and open my backpack, starting to pull out clothing.

What does one even wear to a gay club? I've never been in one, and somehow I have never thought about going to one. I've been to a club or two back in the day with my fake ID, but that seemed to become a load more difficult to do when I got half my face burned off.

I pull out hoodie after hoodie out of my bag, holding them up in front of me before tossing it to the side. Just as I started checking out a red sweater that I used to like once upon a time I felt E.J.'s hand on my shoulder.

"I didn't mean it that way," E.J. whispers.

"Mean what?"

"That nobody would hit on you because of your face. I just meant... You would be with me and Cameron. And Cameron seems to know his way around. He said we could stay in the back, in his dressing room when he's not on stage," E.J. answered, his other hand finding my other shoulder from behind.

I didn't try to stop the shivers going through my body at his touch. For once I took it for myself. Just sitting there, allowing the person I'm in love with to just touch and support me, making me want to turn around into his arms, and for once not be the strong one. For once being the one being held. Perhaps even the one who could become part of someone else and tell them, just like I told Cameron about my sexuality.

"I know," I answer. "I know you don't really see my face as gross and everything, but not everyone is you."

Before E.J. had a chance to answer me, Cameron came breaking out of the bathroom, the door slamming against the wall as he pranced out in a long pink sequin dress.

"Make way for Lady Lalaland!" he shouted, modelling up and down the room. His blonde hair falling over his shoulders as he walked. I couldn't help thinking that he looked a little bit like a Barbie doll, his breasts just a little too big, his waist a bit too narrow, and his eyelashes so long that I couldn't understand how he could see through it.

"He looks amazing..." I said, my mouth hanging open as I eyed Cameron up and down. It was like meeting some celebrity that you can't believe is real now that you are meeting them. As if they only existed on the TV and in tabloids.

"It's not he! It's she now!" E.J. hissed as he slapped me against my shoulder, his warm hands on me long gone.

"Oh for Cher's sake! It's still he!" Cameron shouted and then walked over to us. "You are very uninformed for a gay boy E.J. I'm not trans. I'm just another cock in a frock."

To my amazement Cameron burst out laughing. Maybe at my face. Maybe he was laughing at E.J. who looked shocked, his turn for having his mouth hanging open now.

"Isn't that offensive?" E.J. asked with his eyes wide.

"Why?" Cameron asked as he sat down on the bed, reaching for some high heels standing next to the bed. Cameron was already tall, and I had no idea how tall he would be with stilettos on, but I was eager to see the finished picture.

"Easy. I am a boy. A guy. I have a dick. Dressing up in girls clothing isn't a kink for me, or because I am actually a girl trapped in a boy's body. Lady Lalaland is my creation. My character. She is completely separate from me. She gives me a voice to express and say the things I can't seem to say when I am just Cameron. She is my brave side, or something like that. Think about it as having a friend inside you, or a character that you create, who kinda grows with you. You get it, right handsome?"