Who would have thought that my stepmother was a bigger ally than Duncan?

She was so excited that she finally had someone to gossip with and chat about fashion. I forgave her the stereotype and we finally bonded over her easy acceptance.

She took me to my first Pride parade and even Duncan came along. When a cute guy in a pink tank top tried to kiss him, he totally went for it but later admitted that it definitely wasn't his thing.

My dad didn't go along for the events but showed his love and support in other ways. He even took me to Mom's grave with a large rainbow bouquet, so I could officially come out to her.

Chase flew out for my graduation and we danced together at my prom.

When a full year had passed, we were back in the hotel and I no longer had a curfew. Chase and I had managed to maintain a long-distance relationship but the moment we were together again, even the gods could see the fireworks.

Coincidentally, I ended up going to a college close to one of the hotels that Chase's family owned further upstate. Needless to say, he promptly put in for a transfer.

I knew that all the things I'd experienced were certainly not the norm and I often waited for the other shoe to drop.

Miraculously, it never really did.