POSE

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚'𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Sweat glistened on Blanca's brow as she stepped into the dimly lit ballroom, the thump of music pulsing in her veins. Weaving through the throngs of revelers, she scanned the room, her eyes searching for a glimpse of the legendary House of Abundance. Tonight, she would make her mark on the scene - no longer content to be a spectator, Blanca was ready to claim her rightful place.

As the beat of the music crescendoed, Blanca's gaze fell upon the commanding presence of Elektra, the reigning house mother. Flanked by her loyal house members, Elektra commanded the floor with an effortless grace and authority that Blanca couldn't help but admire - and envy. Taking a deep breath, Blanca steeled her nerves and approached the towering figure, determined to make her case.

"Elektra, I must speak with you." Blanca's voice quivered slightly, betraying the confidence she desperately tried to project.

Elektra's kohl-rimmed eyes narrowed as she appraised the young woman before her. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Latina mouse," she purred, her scarlet-painted lips curling into a sardonic smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Blanca swallowed hard, her palms growing clammy. "I... I want to start my own house. I believe I have what it takes to be a house mother." She struggled to maintain eye contact, acutely aware of the dozens of pairs of eyes now trained on her.

Elektra let out a dramatic sigh, draping a bejeweled hand across her forehead in an exaggerated gesture. "My dear, starting a house is no easy feat. The competition is fierce, and the stakes are high. What makes you think you have what it takes?"

Blanca felt her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to back down. "I may not have the same experience as you, Elektra, but I have the passion, the drive, and the vision to build a house that will make its mark on this scene. I want to create a safe space for those who have been marginalized - a place where they can be their authentic selves, without fear or judgment."

Elektra's gaze narrowed, a flicker of interest sparking in her eyes. "Well, well, the little mouse has found her roar, I see. Tell me, Blanca, what sets you apart from the rest of the hopefuls vying for a chance to break into the scene?"

Blanca's posture straightened, a newfound determination coursing through her. "I'm HIV-positive," she declared, her voice steady and unwavering. "I know firsthand the stigma and the challenges our community faces. But I refuse to let my diagnosis define me. I want to use my platform to empower others like me, to show them that they are not alone, and that they have a place where they can thrive."

The ballroom fell silent, the pulsing music fading into the background as Elektra studied Blanca, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Blanca feared she had overstepped, that her bold declaration had sealed her fate. But then, Elektra's lips curled into a slow, appraising smile.

"Well, well, aren't you just full of surprises." Elektra's voice was laced with a hint of begrudging respect. "Very well, Blanca. I'll give you a chance to prove your worth. You have one month to assemble your house and make your mark on the scene. If you impress me, then perhaps you'll earn the right to call yourself a house mother."

Blanca's eyes widened in disbelief, a surge of hope and exhilaration coursing through her. "Thank you, Elektra. I won't let you down." She gave a reverent nod, her gaze shining with determination.

As Blanca turned to leave, Elektra's voice rang out once more, halting her in her tracks. "Oh, and Blanca? Don't think for a moment that I'll go easy on you. You'll have to fight tooth and nail to earn your place. The balls are no place for the weak-willed."

Blanca nodded, a steely resolve hardening her features. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Threading her way through the throngs of dancers, Blanca's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. She had taken the first step, but the real test was yet to come. Assembling a house, training its members, and rising to the apex of the ball scene would require every ounce of her strength and resilience. Yet, as the adrenaline coursed through her veins, Blanca couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. This was her chance - her opportunity to carve out a space for herself and her community, to defy the odds and forge a legacy that would echo through the ages.

Navigating the dimly lit streets of New York City, Blanca's thoughts drifted to the challenges that lay ahead. The HIV/AIDS crisis had ravaged her community, leaving a trail of grief and devastation in its wake. Blanca herself had been forced to confront her own mortality, to grapple with the stigma and the fear that came with her diagnosis. But in the face of such adversity, she had found strength – a fierce determination to live life on her own terms, to create a legacy that would outlive her.

As Blanca reached the door of her modest apartment, she paused, her gaze drawn to the small, hand-painted sign that adorned the entryway. "House of Evangelista," it read, a testament to her late mother's unwavering spirit and the legacy she had left behind. Blanca traced the letters reverently, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. It was time to honor that legacy, to build upon the foundation her mother had laid and forge a new path – one that would inspire and empower the lost and the marginalized.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Blanca stepped through the threshold, her mind already whirring with ideas and plans. The journey ahead would be arduous, fraught with challenges and setbacks, but Blanca was ready to meet them head-on. This was her moment, her chance to make her mark on the world – and she wasn't about to let it slip through her fingers....