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Jumping out of the chair, Faith hugged Mateo tightly. Carmen received the same treatment seconds later after she left the bathroom.

Pulling on her black short dungarees and rainbow tank top, Faith almost toppled over with excitement. Literally as she hopped around trying to put on her Converse. “Calm down,” she muttered to herself. Picking up her phone, she snapped a selfie and sent it to Alice. Faith knew her friend would be shocked at the transformation. Seconds later, she received a reply. It mainly consisted of OMG, flame emoji and Pride flags.

“Faith, let’s go,” Carmen bellowed. “Mateo, you do not need any more fucking glitter.”

Faith grinned, slipped her phone inside her front pouch, and headed to the front door. “Wow,” she breathed when she saw Carmen. “You look awesome.” Carmen had old black Doc Martens, ripped skin tight black short shorts and a camo tank top. Her hair was up in a topknot and her eyes painted smokey. Faith saw Carmen as an older sister, but that didn’t mean she was blind. This Carmen was very attractive.

“She’s hot right?” Mateo said, sliding up next to Faith, leaning his arm on her shoulder.

“Yeah, she is,” Faith answered honestly.

“Now do you understand why I badger you? Your body is killer and there are going to be so many thirsty lesbians wanting to get all up in that.”

“Gross. Don’t speak about thirsty lesbians. I agreed to this,” Carmen said, waving at her attire, “to shut you up. My ears were bleeding with all your whining. That does not mean anyone will be ‘getting all up in this.’ We’re going to have fun as a family, end of discussion.”

“She’s gonna get so much attention,” Mateo whispered, and Faith had to agree.

???

Faith’s jaw hit the floor when they arrived. Her eyes couldn’t process what she was seeing. Thousands of people lining the streets waving flags. Couples and families standing together holding hands and kissing. Joy and excitement rippled through the air, and Faith wanted to soak up every last drop.

“You okay?” Carmen shouted over the music and whistles.

“I am fantastic,” Faith shouted back.

They wound their way through throngs of Pride goers, eventually finding a place to stop. As the parade passed them by, Faith couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would get to feel like this. The atmosphere around them was alive. The crowd was electric and Faith felt every bolt of joy and pride zip through her body. This is why she’d risked everything. For this feeling.

Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and Faith felt herself being pulled forward. Looking behind her in a panic, she saw Mateo and Carmen following. Carmen gave her a wink which settled her raging pulse.The crowd parted and Faith found herself in the middle of the parade. A six-foot Amazon of a drag queen held her hand and encouraged her to join in with the other dancing participants.

Mateo didn’t hesitate. He twirled Faith and then Carmen. To Faith’s surprise, Carmen got right in the middle of it all, moving to the music. As Mateo predicted, it took less than a minute for Carmen to be surrounded by… what did Mateo say thirsty lesbians? Faith hadn’t really understood what he’d meant, but now, seeing it with her own eyes, Faith understood. Each woman circling Carmen looked like they wanted to inhale her.

They danced all the way to the end of the parade. Faith was completely high on adrenaline. “That was so… wow, oh wow.”

“It’s not over yet,” Carmen called, her voice hoarse from singing and shouting.

“Let’s get to Rita’s before all the good booze is gone.” Mateo hooked Carmen and Faith by the elbows, pulling them out of the crowd.

Rita’s house was enormous, with two gigantic Pride flags posted on either side of the wooden door. Music was already blaring, and the house looked full to capacity.

“She’s gone all out this year,” Carmen commented.

“Her niece is here this year, so I think she wanted to make it special. Faith, did you put on a bikini like I said?”

“Sure did.”

“Excellent, let’s find Rita, then grab a drink.” Mateo strutted off before either Carmen or Faith could answer.

“Hey,” Carmen said, turning to face Faith. “I’m not your mom or anything, but you are still underage. Have a drink if you want, but be reasonable.”

“I’m not interested in alcohol. Don’t worry, I just want to have some fun.” It wasn’t a lie. Out of all the things she’d missed out on, alcohol wasn’t something she was overly excited about.

They made their way through the mansion until Carmen pointed to Mateo and an older woman with luscious red hair. “Carmen, my god, you look stunning.”

“Thanks Rita, you too. May I introduce you to Faith.” Carmen gently squeezed Faith in a side hug, which was comforting. There were so many stimulating things around. Carmen’s touch was grounding.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for having me.”

“Oh my, aren’t you just the most adorable thing ever?” Rita stepped forward and gave Faith two air kisses. “Feel free to swim. There’s a hot tub, too. Drinks are in the kitchen and the dance floor is wherever you want it to be. Oh, hang on, there’s my niece,” Rita waved to someone over Faith’s shoulder.