Maya's POV
"Hehe, that tickles!" Riley giggled as I painted a rainbow on her cheek.
"It's just like when we painted each other in art class," I replied.
"That was more like throwing paint all over each other," Riley corrected me.
So it was abstract expressionist painting," I argued.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but I trust you because you're the artist," Riley responded.
"One of these days, I'm taking you to a museum," I vowed.
We were in the Starbucks near West 4th street, painting each other's faces with rainbows and waiting for the Pride parade to make its way downtown.
Riley looked out the window, "The parade is here!" Her smile made me smudge some of the paint on her cheek. "Honey, hold still, I'm almost done," I said, cleaning up the smudge. "Ok, all done."
She grabbed my hand and lead me outside to watch the parade. Marchers came over to us and adorned us with colorful Mardi gras bead necklaces. Riley was snapping pictures of the elaborate floats with the camera Shawn had given her.
There were so many people here today. People from all over the country, flocking to our neighborhood to celebrate Pride. It's pretty amazing.
After the parade we walked over to the street fair and looked at the colorful merchandise.
Riley tried on a sheer rainbow scarf. "Love it!" she declared.
"Nobody can rock the rainbow better than you, sunshine," I affirmed.
I leaned in and took a selfie of us with my phone. Riley looked at the screen. "Ooh, that's a good one!" she said.
I opened my Instagram app.
"Maya, what are you doing?" Riley questioned me.
"Posting our selfie on Instagram. Hashtag Pride," I answered.
Riley snatched my phone away.
"You can't." She said.
"Well now I can't because you stole my phone."
"I'll give it back, but first promise me you won't post it," Riley demanded.
I would never say it out loud to her, but I was growing tired of being her dirty little secret.
"Whatever you want," I replied, as always.
Riley's POV
I could see the disappointment on Maya's face. I can feel her patience wearing thin. Maybe I should let her post it. Maybe I'm overreacting. I handed Maya back her phone.
"Do you want me to delete it?" she asked.
"No, Peaches. Never." I answered.
Maya sighed. "I think I'm going to head home," she said. She started to walk away.
"Don't you want to check out the live music?" I asked.
She turned around. "Riles, I feel like a hypocrite. Look at these people. They're out and proud and happy being themselves. How am I supposed to celebrate pride if I'm still hiding in your closet?"
I know she's right. She has every right to feel this way. She has every right to walk away from me right now. But I can't stand to watch her walk away from me, knowing that she's ready to embrace who she is, and I'm holding her back.
"Post it, Maya." I said.
"What?"
"Our selfie. Put it on Instagram. Hashtag pride." I said.
"Are you sure, Riles?" Maya asked.
"Yes, Peaches. I'm sure." I affirmed.
Maya smiled. She opened the Instagram app in her phone and posted our pride selfie. She passed her phone to me to show me.
"Farkle already liked it." I noticed.
She took her phone back.
"Sarah just commented."
"What did she say?" I asked.
"So cute. Rainbow emoji. Smiley face," she said.
I smiled. Maya leaned in and kissed me.
"See honey? Nothing to be afraid of." she said.
I looked her in the eye. "I don't want to be afraid anymore, Maya." Maybe it was all the rainbows. Or maybe it was all the people celebrating pride. Or maybe it was the way Maya felt so comfortable here. I can't quite put my finger on it but something was inspiring me. Something was making me brave. I reached out and took Maya by the hand.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To my house," I said. "I'm ready."
Maya stopped walking and looked at me with a stunned expression.
"We're going to tell your parents? Like right now?!" she asked, incredulously.
I pulled her into me and kissed her. I held both of her hands in mine.
"Maya, you have been so patient with me, and so understanding, sometimes at your own expense. I really appreciate that," I told her.
"Of course, honey. You're worth it," she squeezed my hands. My heart melted a little.
"I think it's time." I said.
"Then I'll be right beside you."