She headed toward the patio, and Audrey started to follow, but then she stopped. Michelle hadn’t invited her to tag along. Maybe she needed some time to herself. And anyway, one of them ought to stay inside the party. Their presence tonight was required for the students to be able to host a party this size on campus.
Audrey drank her water, watching students enjoy themselves on the dance floor. The kids gathered here tonight were a beautiful array of genders and sexualities, decked out in equally colorful costumes and having the time of their lives.
Not everyone was celebrating, though. Her gaze caught on a student dressed as a piñata, their costume covered in colorful paperfringe, complete with paper horns on their head. She’d noticed the student peripherally a few times tonight, always standing off to the side, observing the party. Maybe they were shy or new to the group. Maybe they needed a friend here tonight.
Audrey walked over to stand against the wall nearby. “Hey. I’m Professor Lind, she/her. I don’t think we’ve met yet.”
The student gave her a hesitant smile. “Hi. I’m Kayley, also she/her.”
“Love your costume, Kayley.” Audrey gave her a warm smile. “I’m not sure I’ve seen one like it before.”
“Thanks.” Kayley looked down at herself. “My mom made it for me.”
“Oh, are you local? Or did she send it to you?”
“I’m local.” Kayley ducked her head. “I’m living at home for college.”
“Cool,” Audrey said. “I would have loved to do that. It was really hard leaving home. My family and I are close.”
“I’m close with my family too.” Kayley paused, eyes darting everywhere but at Audrey. “I haven’t told them I’mhere, though. They think it’s just a regular Halloween party.”
“Hey, no worries. There’s no timetable on coming out. Do what feels right for you ... even if that means you never come out to them,” Audrey told her. “I’m really glad you’re here tonight, though. Is this your first Pride Coalition event?”
“I’ve been to one meeting before this, but ... I haven’t really talked to anyone. I’m not really out, like, at all.” Her cheeks were bright pink now, hands clenched behind her back. “I’ve never even said the words out loud. I’m just ... here.”
“Here is the perfect place to be,” Audrey said. “You’re in a safe and welcoming space. No need to put labels or pressure on yourself—just have fun. Have you tried the food yet? The zombie-brain cupcake was my favorite, but it’s a little messy.”
Kayley grinned as the tension drained from her posture. “I had my eye on those.”
“Come on. Let’s go get you one.”
“Hey, Dr. Lind! We miss you on the dance floor.” Gia bopped by with several of her friends, waving her arms for Audrey to join them.
Kayley watched them with a wistful expression.
“I was just taking a breather. Gia, have you met Kayley?”
“Nope.” Gia approached with a wide smile, hand extended. “I’m Gia, she/her, trans lesbian, and a communications major.”
“Hi.” Kayley gave her a bashful smile as she took her hand. “I’m Kayley, she/her. I’m premed and, um ... also a lesbian.” Her expression was a mixture of wonder and vulnerability for having spoken those words out loud, and Audrey held her breath, waiting for Gia’s response.
“It’s awesome to meet you, Kayley.” Gia gave her an enthusiastic handshake before sashaying her hips in her flapper dress. “Want to dance with us? We’re having so much fun.”
“Oh, um ...” Kayley swallowed, and then a wide smile bloomed on her face. “Yeah, I’d love to dance.”
And then she was off. The next time Audrey caught sight of her, Kayley was grooving in the middle of the dance floor with Gia and her friends, piñata tassels bouncing. Audrey felt like a proud parent.
The last hour of the party passed uneventfully. The kids all seemed to be having a good time. She’d seen Michelle here and there, but Audrey hadn’t talked to her again since the cunnilingus incident, which she was both disappointed about and grateful for.
When they clicked, theyreallyclicked. They had the kind of conversations that left Audrey’s mind buzzing with an intellectual high, but they seemed to get off kilter with each other just as frequently, always toeing the line between friendship and awkwardness.
Had that moment on the dance floor actually happened? Or had Audrey’s lust-struck brain imagined the heat in Michelle’s eyes?
By the time she walked to her car after the party, she was sure she’d imagined it. She slid behind the wheel with a sigh, but when she turned the key, nothing happened. Not even a groan from the engine. It wasn’t the end of the world. Audrey’s rental house was only a fifteen-minute walk from campus. On nice days, she often walked to work, but rightnow, she was exhausted. Not to mention, she couldn’t afford car repairs this month. She slapped a hand against the steering wheel in annoyance.
Someone tapped on her window, and she looked up to see Michelle peering at her through the glass. Audrey’s heart kicked against her ribs as she fumbled with the window, confused about why it wouldn’t lower until she remembered the car was dead.
She grabbed her bag and stepped out of the vehicle.
