Morning dawned early across the unit, especially for Ava and Lucy whom were too excited to sleep. Like hyper children on Christmas morning, there was a buzz in the atmosphere almost consuming them. It was their first time leaving the unit as a couple, as a pair. I suppose it was a first date but with vultures surveying them in public. Still, it was special. The theatre, associated with love and passion by many, had always been a motivation for Ava since high-school. Sharing this with her new girlfriend who understood her problems at a level that wasn't tucked below the surface? It was a fantasy, paradise at Frankenstein's place in the Rocky Horror Universe.

Keeping as quiet as possible, the girls got ready early into their spare clothes. It wasn't much but when you've been admitted into an enclosed psychiatric unit and surrounded by dirty scrubs it felt like a luxury item. Even the musky walls rubbing against their cheaply made shirts was enough to make the girls hold their breath in disgust. Charlie closely followed and got ready in her room with the same buzz of excitement overwhelming her. They had all waited for this moment, and it may appear like a typical part of life for the oblivious or even dismissive bystander.

Breakfast was at 8am, slightly earlier than normal because of anomalies with travel. Planning a safe outing was difficult before considering timings, Martha especially seemed extra grumpy. Perhaps she was exhausted and disgruntled from lack of sleep as indicated through the black lines under her cold eyelids. On the other hand, one of the students had volunteered to support her on the trip and she appeared chipper and almost as excited as the girls. To meet the part, she had arrived to the unit in her 'transvestite inspired' cosplay. The bus would be leaving by 11, everyone had to be ready after all.

With the buzz slightly reaching the canteen, the girls chatted amongst themselves like the popular groups from year 7. Choking breakfast down as if it was medicine, they stared at each-other in disgust then went back to their rooms as due the orders of their leader. Time ticked away until they were called to gather once again in the canteen with packs of sandwiches and a coach driver impatiently waiting for them. This was it, the secret first date had officially started.

It was an hour's drive into the city center with 30 minutes assigned when they arrived for lunch. The girls had been given requested sandwiches (still smothered in sickening amount of butter though, that was non- negotiable). With the bus loaded and the girls hiding at the back, Ava and Lucy sat next to each-other with Charlie perched behind them like an over-excited puppy. 

"Can't believe I'm allowed out of the unit. Never been to the theatre before!", gushed Charlie

"You'll love it or I'll kill you", joked Ava. *winking at Lucy* "And you will too".

*blushing* "I bet Ave", replied Lucy. Charlie looked at them confused but wasn't going to interrogate them, this wasn't the right place.

" The student looks nice, wish we could dress up properly", remarked Charlie to change the subject.

"Yeah, my friends do that a lot. They even go to comic con and re-use stuff for theatre opening nights. God i miss them", said Ava. 

* Ava zoned out in a comfortable silence. Vividly as if it was a lucid dream, she could picture her college friends here with their huge share packs of minstrels hidden in their bags. Lost in the nostalgia, she smiled softly and Lucy gripped her hand*

" You'll see them again, Ave. Maybe one day we could all go together without being dictated by Martha", said Lucy.

" Oi don't forget about me", commented Charlie playfully.

"That would be impossible Charlie, you'd track us down anyway we saw your detective skills with Matt", Lucy joked.

"Shh fellow virgin", declared Charlie whilst abruptly pinching her arm.

* Ava squeezed Lucy's hand in fake jealousy as all the girls relaxed and fell into a comfortable silence checking their normally restricted phones. Like any story, the equilibrium must be disrupted as shown here by the echoing of Martha's monotonous voice for everyone to leave the bus. Bristol was bustling with huge crowds going shopping so it was claustrophobic to leave the bus*

Getting off by  St Mary Redcliffe Church, a towering structure of beauty that lurks over everything, they all tried to admire the views around them. They may have all mostly grown up around the area but after being locked away, the sensation of sunlight on Charlie's skin was euphoric. Ava sneakily squeezed Lucy's hand for re-assurance but Lucy seemed fine, she was too occupied by the birds chirping and Ava's enchanting looks to feel scared. The moment felt right, and whilst it wasn't perfect when had their blossoming love been flawless? 

*Finding a spot of grass large enough to accommodate everyone, the student led them to eat their lunches. Her skirt lay slightly above her thighs so she had to position herself carefully, almost like a mannequin once she was down to avoid exposing herself. She was bubbly and supported the girls unlike the still frowning Martha, she may as well have been dragged here through the bushes*

https://youtu.be/mBRzk-YFAis

With all the sandwiches choked down, the girls followed Martha and the students in an orderly fashion through the city towards the Hippodrome theatre. The city was full of adolescents just like them but with a glimmering spark of happiness in their eyes. Whether they were running for buses or scurrying happily into Primark for the newest trends, it was normalcy. Soothing and aspirational to observe, the girls took it all in on their adventure.

As they approached the front of the theatre, butterflies of contentment filled Lucy and Charlie. Platonic or not, their hearts were craving entertainment outside of the same shallow four walls like prisoners out on parole. The door was flooded with swarms of people in amazing and wacky cosplays chatting amongst themselves. There was a sea of corsets and shorts with colors resembling a glitter ball. Just the colors and representation of the rainbow flag was extremely comforting with Ava and Lucy exhaling and giving each-other longing looks- they were free to be themselves for a while.

After hiking up the theatre's steep staircase up to their seats on the third level with a birds-eye view of the stage, the girls settled down with Ava, Lucy and Charlie choosing corner seats away from the supervising staff. As the curtains wildly swung open and the lights dimmed, Ava gently massaged Lucy's thigh and took her hand. With the melody of Tim Curry's enchanting music and out of Martha's sight, Ava just couldn't wait anymore. She kissed Lucy's hand quietly then gestured for her to stay silent and kissed her lips before slouching back into her seat to enjoy the show in peace, it was nurturing for the soul I suppose. Drifting through the innuendos and becoming immersed in the plot, Lucy and Charlie slowly lost their virginity to the show, to the culture. For Lucy, it was like something had awoken inside her. She was watching everything her mother disapproved of as a sin and whilst her shrieky voice still nagged her head like a broken stereo it became muffled for those 2 hours. 

As the finale was dawning closer, the cast came on stage and bowed for the audience which resulted in a tidal wave of applause from every inch of the crammed theatre. With Charlie seemingly entranced by the dripping muscles of Rocky, Lucy took the moment to squeeze Ava's hand and sneak a kiss. As Charlie snapped back into reality, Martha announced they were leaving and everyone was guided back to the bus. Pushing through the crowds, Ava securely gripped onto Lucy's hand at the back of the line as Charlie closely followed with a knowing grin. She wasn't going to say anything, she's supposed to be their friend after all.

Firstly, they were no longer Rocky Horror Virgins which was just flabbergasting for Lucy- How did she allow herself to do this against her mother's strong will?  is all she was asking herself...

Secondly, it was Lucy's first date. Secret but special, a forbidden memory kept between the three of them with their lips sealed tightly. If only she had photographs to look back on of them together...

Thirdly, all the girls had finished their admittedly revolting meals with guidance from the new student. Her name was Kiera they discovered, she was a former pediatrics student who'd found a passion in psychology. If she could light the way to their recovery like a guiding star or streetlight in the narrow and dark alleys they lived in, maybe there was hope for everyone. And her freedom to express herself, if only the girls hadn't had that human right stripped away from them by Martha...