And as I walked down those streets, I felt a sense of self-awareness that I had never felt before, as though I were suddenly real and alive for the first time. I was scared and warm, bewildered and fearless all in the same moment. It’s funny how these small places remind me so much of the place I wish to call home, this downtown is so alike to the place I’ve always longed to be. So, what is so different if they are so alike? People are all the same, really, no matter where you go. Maybe it’s the fast pace of it all there, yes, maybe that’s it. I just long for what I felt this evening constantly. I long to feel, as I did on this night, that although the people beside me do not know my story and do not know the person I am, we are the same. We are blood and flesh, we are real and we are all three realizing it in this moment. We know and love each other although we do not at all. I am accepted, although I am odd in alll ways. I am equal. And as we stepped in to that car, I felt more adult than I had in such a long time. I was not intoxicated or under the influence of anything, I was just having a mature evening with mature people who were not afraid to tell me about my flaws. I took a risk tonight in coming out, since I so rarely wish to be in the company of people lately, and it worked out in my favor. For one night, I am renewed. For one night, I have felt emotions that I forgot existed.