Streamers flew everywhere as people were tossing confetti and party poppers exploded. There were so many colors and rainbow flags that they were all blended together and it made me feel dizzy. A girl got down on one knee on top of a float that was slowly going by and proposed to another girl. She nodded her head yes and they kissed as cheers spread through the crowd. I smiled a little but mostly, it wasn't my idea to be here.
Don't get me wrong, I am bisexual and I belong at a Pride Parade but I was sort of forced into going. Charlie, who preoccupied the spot next to me in being slammed against the fence that was between the crowd and the street, was the one who forced me, along with her girlfriend Alison. They had visited my tiny, cramped apartment multiple times to invite me to Pride. I had declined the first few times because, honestly, I would have rather stayed inside.
"Dean, c'mon it'll be so much fun!" Alison would nag, sitting on my couch. Charlie would then sit next to her and nod her head.
"Yeah, you'll have a blast." She winked at me as I shuddered. I silently begged her to stop by giving her a look.
"Charlie, I'm not going. You know I'm still in the closet." I would say, trying to defend myself and not go.
Then, I decided after much pleading that I should go because who was going to be there besides Charlie, Alison, and me? Tons of other people but no one I knew was queer.. The most recent time Charlie came to my apartment I had cut right to the chase and said I would go as she burst through the door.
"I'll go," I blurted out. Charlie had opened her mouth to speak but she quickly shut it when I gave my answer. She grinned.
"Dean, you won't regret it. You'll meet so many people and maybe even get a partner!" She exclaimed, bouncing up and down. I shook my head at that idea.
"I'm only going just to… Become involved with my community." I said. Charlie scoffed and opened the door.
"Well… We'll walk together to the Parade. I have to tell Alison!" And then she was gone just as fast as she came.
And now I'm here watching men in rainbow speedos dance on top of a double decker bus and I had a Pride pinned on my good AC/DC shirt. And I was mildly enjoying it but I didn't want anyone to know that. Alison had her arm around Charlie and they looked like such a cute couple. I had a twinge of jealousy because they had a relationship that I could never achieve. Nonetheless, they were my good friends and I had to repress my feelings.
"Hey, I'm going to get some Pride merch. Want anything?" Alison asked, sliding her arm away from Charlie.
"Can I get a rainbow SnapBack and can you get…" Charlie glanced at me and whispered something into Alison's ear. I hid my eyes underneath my baseball hat, not wanting to look at them.
"Okay, I'll be right back!" She smiled and squeezed her way through the crowd. I stared at Charlie suspiciously, about to ask her what she was whispering about until she gasped and pointed at someone in a group of people wearing and carrying the bisexual flag.
"Look, it's Chuck!" Charlie exclaimed. I glanced over at a messy haired man with dark eyes, who was holding a pole with the bisexual flag tied to it. I knew Chuck but only a little bit. I had met him at a party for a few minutes but I was quickly whisked away by Charlie introducing me to other people. All I knew was that he was an undiscovered writer who had a somewhat powerful sense about him. It seemed like he didn't notice it though because he's a pretty regular guy. He approaches us and pats Charlie on the shoulder.
"Hey Charlie! Good to see you." I could see a soft grin behind his beard. He turns to me. "Dean, it's been awhile hasn't it?"
"Yeah," I breathed out a chuckle and scratched my neck. "It's been awhile. I didn't really talk to you that much."
"Yeah, I want to have an actual conversation. We'll have to make plans. I've got to go now but I'll have Charlie give you my number." He grinned again and walked off to join his group of people he was walking with. My eyes widened and I took a deep breath. Charlie nudged me, snickering.
"Oh, can it, Charlie. I didn't know he was bi." I commented, leaning on the railing.
"Neither did I." She scoffed, mimicking my position.
While I was watching a bus full of pansexual people go by, I felt hands on my shoulders. I flinched and looked at who it was. Alison had draped a polyester thing across my shoulders. She grinned and scrambled back to her spot next to Charlie. I grabbed the material and realized it was a flag. It had my colors, blue, purple and pink on it. I inhaled sharply and resisted shoving it back in their hands.
"No, I can't accept this. No way in…" I started, shaking my head but Alison shook her head.
"No, I bought it for you, the polite thing to do is to take it." Alison ordered. I sighed.
"Dean, we just want you to have a little fun. You aren't in any danger here because everyone is queer. What happens at Pride, stays at Pride." Charlie smiled. I shrugged and put the flag begrudgingly around my shoulders again.
I couldn't tell them the reason why I was still in the closet. They wouldn't get it.
After about an hour I lost my shirt, my hat was shoved into my pocket, my voice was hoarse, confetti was in my hair and the bisexual flag I was given was being raised up above my shoulders, showing the world who I was. In that moment, I was so proud of who I was that I didn't care where my best AC/DC shirt was. I had a couple beers but I can hold my liquor so I was a little crazy, but mostly that was just the energy that everyone was giving off.
"It's the asexual bus!" Alison exclaimed, taking a swig of beer and leaning back against Charlie. I glanced at the bus of people and then started cheering because they were throwing asexual pins into the crowd. I draped the flag across my shoulders and raised a hand to catch one. The bus was still not close but close enough where I could see the people.
Then, I saw a man with dark, kind of messy hair holding onto the side of the bus. He had one foot out, eyes watching ahead and then looking out into the crowd. He had scruff which made him look sexier.
I watched him in amazement. He was really good-looking and I'd never seen him before in my life but I wanted to see him more. His piercing blue eyes which I could see from mile away were scanning the crowd. He was smiling and looked like he was having fun. He waved at people. Then, his eyes and mine made contact.
I felt my cheeks grow hot as his eyes were locked on mine and vice versa. The bus wasn't even past us but I watched as the man hopped down from the bus and jogged over to me. I studied his face closely, still fascinated over his blue eyes that were comparable to the sky. He slid a hand around my neck and pulled me towards him.
I felt my heart skip a beat as my lips parted along with his and we slid our lips over each other. The way he felt, his temperature, the way he knew where to perfectly place his hands, it drove me crazy. I grabbed a corner of the flag that was around my shoulders and brought it with me as I ran my fingers through his hair.
I heard hollering and whistling behind us. I smiled into the kiss and I heard the man chuckle. I broke away for a second and mumbled "I'm Dean," and smiled warmly.
"Castiel," He murmured and he smiled too. Then, I heard people calling his name on the bus. I sighed.
"I've got to go. I'll catch you around." He said, turning his head. I felt his warm hands slip away from my neck and I wanted them back as soon as he pulled them away. He turned to me again and smiled. Then, he rushed to get back to the bus that was passing by. I took a deep breath and looked at Charlie and Alison. Their mouths were wide open in shock.
"Did you know that guy?" Charlie asked.
"No…" I murmured, knowing that it was weird.
"Why? How? What?" Alison asked, clearly flabbergasted. I just shrugged and smiled.
"You look really happy. Dean, are you sure you didn't know that guy?" Charlie questioned.
"Yes, I'm positive. He was cute though." I turned back to see some people still grinning at me and whistling. I smirked and leaned against the railing. What a cutie. I smiled to myself.
Castiel. What a fascinating name.