Donovan
“Alright, have a good time with Jamie and Max, let me know you get home safe, baby,” Stephen says.
“I will.”
“Speak to you later.”
I’ve never sent a sexy photo before, but he seemed to appreciate it, and I’m especially looking forward to getting my own later. I still look at the first photo he sent me all the time, the one of him without a shirt on, leaning back against the headboard.
I’d planned on a quiet night in, with Stephen being away at training, but when Jamie messaged, asking if I wanted to go out, I figured why not. He told me to dress to impress, which I’m sure means something very different to him, but to me, that means nice jeans and a smart shirt.
I’m ready to go when they message to say they’re outside. I spot Jamie instantly, because he looks incredible, in platform shoes and a different dress to last time. His face is made up with make-up, highlighting his delicate features. Max is dressed like me, jeans and a smart shirt, the only differences are that he’s taller and bulkier than me, and his outfit is adorned with a pink feather boa.
“Before you ask,” Max says, “the boa was Jamie’s idea, and if I have to wear one, so do you.”
Jamie produces another boa from a bag, this one’s purple, and he drapes it around my neck and shoulders.
“Much better,” he grins.
I snap a quick selfie to send to Stephen later, the feathers tickling my face make me laugh so my expression is ridiculous, but I hope it makes him chuckle. We head into town, and I soon realize we’re making our way to Prism.
“We’re going dancing again?” I ask, a bit worried I’ll be a third wheel on the dance floor.
“Not exactly,” Max chuckles. “Saturday nights at Prism are special. Just wait, you’ll see.”
We pay for our entry and make our way in, but unlike last time, the dance floor is full of chairs and tables, all surroundingthe stage. Jamie leads us to a table which is front and center with a reserved sign.
“Our usual spot,” he says with a wink, before handing me a wad of cash.
My first thought is strippers, that this is some sort of gay strip show, which I’m not against, I’m just not sure it’s my kind of thing. And being this close to the front, we’re going to see everything, and I mean everything. I still blush at the thought of seeing Stephen’s dick, so I’ve got no idea how I’ll react if I’m confronted with a load of strangers’ dicks right in my face.
“Tip your drag performers,” Max says, tapping the cash I’m gripping in my hand.
“Max!” Jamie shouts. “You’ve ruined the surprise!”
“The poor guy looked petrified,” Max chuckles, and I laugh with him, relief washing over me.
“This is a drag show?”
“Yes,” Jamie says, “you’re gonna love it, trust me.”
“Beth is going to be so jealous, she’s always wanted to go to a drag show, but we don’t have anywhere in Tynerston.”
“We’ll bring her if she ever comes to visit,” Jamie says, “now sit back, and enjoy the show.”
“That was the most amazing, incredible thing I’ve ever seen!” I shout at Jamie over the roar of the crowd; we’re all standing in applause while the performers do a final walk.
“I knew you’d love it!” Jamie yells.
I can’t stop cheering and clapping; my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. This is the most fun I’ve had, maybe ever, and I realize that there’s no way I’ll ever be able to go back tohiding who I am. I was a shell of myself back in Tynerston, wearing a carefully curated mask to never show my true self.
And now I’ve seen my life in color, brought to life in this vibrant rainbow venue. Surrounded by people who are just like me, people who aren’t afraid to love who they love, dress how they want to dress, say ‘fuck you’ to a world which wants to make them smaller. Tears build in my eyes as emotion wells up inside me.
Jamie must notice because he links arms with me and says, “Let’s go outside.”
They pull me into a hug once we’re in the courtyard, finding a corner away from the crowd.
“You okay, sweetie?” Jamie asks.
