Page 156 of Saving Sparrow
I knew his name prior to today, but I kept that to myself. “I’m Elliott.”
“Nice to meet you, Elliott.” He gave an exaggerated bow. “You already know Rachel here. She’s my bestie—and fellow queen.”
“Nice to officially meet you,” she said.
“I, um, like your makeup.”
She’d looked severe in all black last week with the matching lipstick and what looked like coal around her eyes. Her face was lined with shimmery gold and pale pink today.
“Thanks,” she said shyly, “I do Kayden’s makeup too.”
“Wow, you’re really good.” I wondered what colors would look nice on me.
“She can do your makeup too,” Kayden said, reading my thoughts. They were probably scribbled all over my face. “If you want.”
“Yeah, totally,” Rachel agreed. “I’m in the Nighthawk dorms, second floor, last door on the left. Stop by any time after four. That’s when my last class gets out, and we’re usually just hanging in my room afterward.”
“Maybe.” I bit my lip and looked in the direction Miguel had gone. He was heading our way, talking on the phone. Probably to Quentin.
“Anyway, we’ve gotta go,” Kayden said, “but you should definitely come to drag night.”
I looked at the flyer again, feeling an equal surge of anxiety and excitement. “What would I wear to something like this?”
Kayden stepped back to take in my outfit—mycostume. “That’s the great thing about Queer Life,” he mused, “you can wear whateveryouwant.” He winked before strolling off with Rachel.
“Can I bring my boyfriends?” I blurted, then winced.
Kayden spun back to me. “Oh my,” he crooned, hand going to his chest as if I’d said something scandalous, “there’s more than one? I like you already, Elliott.” He and Rachel laughed. “The more the merrier. Bring ’em all.”
I watched them go, excitement overtaking my nerves now.
“Hey,” Miguel said once he’d caught up to me. “Was that the kid from Professor Ingram’s class?”
“Yeah, and Rachel.”
“Who?” He stared after them. They were nothing but a blur now.
“The girl who gave you her seat.”
“Oh, I remember her hair being black that day.” It was pink now. “What’s that?” he asked, snatching the flyer from me. “Drag night at Queer Life,” he read before handing it back and turning for the campus exit.
“They invited us. Wanna go?”
“Um, sure.” He shrugged before lacing his fingers through mine and pecking me on the lips. “Missed you, Ellie.”
I smiled at him, an extra pep in my step as we strolled down the sidewalk. “Maybe we can swing by the mall beforehand. I need to get something to wear.”
“What could you possibly need that you don’t already have?”
I glanced back like maybe doing so would remind me of my conversation with Kayden, as if picturing myself standing in that spot and listening to him be confident and brave would help me to be both. I turned back to Miguel, grinning. “Heels.”
Elliott
Then
“As much as I love having you here,” I said to Quentin, “don’t you think this is a little ridiculous?”
Miguel snorted. “Only a little? This is insane, even for him.”
