Page 116 of Pride High 2: Orange

“Not really. He flirted with me a bunch, that’s all.”

“He flirted withmygirlfriend?” Omar said with a glare in his direction.

“I didn’t even know you back then,” Silvia said. “Come on. Let’s sit next to the fire. I’m getting cold.”

He turned to Anthony, who shrugged and said, “Let’s just ignore him.”

“He won’t be getting any of my booze,” Omar grumbled. “That’s for sure.”

Anthony squinted into the darkness. “Looks like he brought his own.”

“What?!” Omar spun around. “Is that a twelve-pack? Goddamn it.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Silvia asked.

“We begged my oldest brother to get us one,” Anthony explained.

“What a show off,” Omar sulked. Then he finally turned to her. “Come on, babe. I’ll warm you up again.”

Silvia went with him, remaining tense until everyone had settled down. She didn’t like the way the Omar had a possessive arm around her, outside the blanket, like he needed it to be seen. She wasn’t a status symbol. Although her frustration was misdirected, because in truth, he was obsessing over someone else, just as she was. Although not for the same reason.

Keisha’s eyes met hers over the fire. As always, she wore a subtle smile that was both infuriating and alluring in equal measure. Silvia didn’t look away, even when Keisha finally did, because she wanted to have that private conversation with her. As soon as humanly possible.

CHAPTER 25

December 31st, 1992

So far so good. That’s what Ricky kept telling himself, even though his pulse was racing. The pot brownie he’d eaten earlier might be to blame. Although really, it had only been the corner of one. Diego had crammed the rest in his own mouth after laughing at him. But not in a mean way. His cinnamon eyes had been shining sweetly. Now they were back to glaring. Across the fire mostly. Omar and Anthony were on that side with their respective dates. Ricky had made sure when choosing where to sit that they were walled-in by people Diego didn’t have a beef with.

Whitney was sharing a blanket with Dave and David on their right. Keisha and Mindy were on the left. That seemed safe, although David kept shooting sullen glances in Diego’s direction. Maybe because of his crushed science project. So yeah, there was some bad blood, but everyone seemed more interested in partying.

“Not much longer!” Whitney cried. “Has everyone chosen who they’re going to kiss? It has to besomeone.”

“Or what?” Keisha asked.

“It’s bad luck,” Whitney said after blinking. “You could basically die.”

“Then I hope you’ll all be at my funeral,” Mindy said, “because I am definitely not kissing anyone.”

“Not even me?” Keisha asked.

Mindy laughed. “That’s fine. I just don’t want to kiss a boy unless…” She looked self-conscious before adding, “I want it to be special.”

“Stay away from her,” Keisha said, shielding Mindy with an arm. “This pure heart willnotbe tainted!”

“Looks like there’s a shortage of girls to kiss,” Diego said, causing Dave and David to squirm.

“What about you two?” Keisha asked.

“What about us?” Diego shot back.

“Aren’t you worried about getting that New Year’s kiss?”

Diego snorted. “I’ve had bad luck my entire life, so no.”

Her eyes moved to Ricky. “We’ll see,” he said before holding his hands out to the fire. Diego had refused a blanket, so he did too, not wanting him to be the odd one out. But it was really cold, and he wished they were cuddled up together, even just as friends. But not really as friends, because that would be a waste of a wish. He glanced over at Diego who had his arms crossed.

“I’m going to get a Coke,” Ricky told him. “Do you want anything?”