Page 129 of Pride High 2: Orange

“Just don’t try that in PE!” Diego shouted after him. Then again, he didn’t give a shit what anyone thought. Except for maybe one person. He watched Ricky wave from the front porch before disappearing inside. Then he began the drive home, praying that this time would be different.

CHAPTER 28

January 3rd, 1993

Keisha Hart sipped her coffee at the long kitchen table, content to remain seated and calm in the midst of commotion. Which wasn’t her usual style. Normally she couldn’t sit still, but school resumed tomorrow and Sundays on the farm were slower, especially during the winter, so this might be her last opportunity to take a deep breath.

She watched her family do their usual thing. Her father was trying to goad her older brothers into helping him repair a fence, even though this was supposed to be a day off for all of them. Her younger sister was hammering the buttons of her Game Boy while cursing enemies that none of them could see. Across from her, Little Bee—the baby of the family—was singing under her breath while drumming out a rhythm on the table’s surface. Keisha’s mother Sharice, bless her heart, was trying to make sure that everyone was fed while also keeping tabs on where they each planned to be that day. Their eyes met over the table, a request in her mother’s gaze.

“Let me see that,” Keisha said, swiping the Game Boy from her sister, who instantly began to panic. “I’ll pause it. Now answer Mom’s question.” She focused her attention across the table. “Little Bee, if you don’t eat something, your lungs will shrivel from a lack of nutrition and you won’t be able to sing anymore.”

Her little sister’s mouth fell open. It rarely remained shut for long. “Nuh-uh! Really?”

Keisha nodded. “Remember the big fat opera singer we saw on TV? That’s his secret. He keeps his voice fed.”

Little Bee looked down the table at their mother, seeking confirmation.

“Eat your eggs, darling,” Sharice said. “Tamika, are you going shopping with us today?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” she answered before reaching for the Game Boy.

Keisha handed it back to her, but only after unpausing it first, so she could see that look of panic again.

“What about you, sweetheart?” their mother asked.

“I’m hanging out with a friend of mine,” Keisha replied. She didn’t know who yet, but she needed a break from her family. As much as she loved them, she’d gotten her fill over the holidays, so she didn’t care who she spent today with as long as it wasn’t them. Although she definitely had a preference.

Silvia. Keisha hadn’t seen her since the New Year’s party. They had tried talking on the phone but kept getting interrupted by their families. Hearing her voice had been good but also frustrating, since it made her imagine those sweet russet lips. Oh, how she would like to kiss away that perpetually concerned expression! Silvia always seemed so tightly wound, like a spring that hadn’t yet sprung. Keisha wanted to be the one to make her bounce into the heavens. Assuming she really was into girls and not just curious or confused. There was only one way to find out.

A large family meant a bigger mess to clean up, although there were plenty of hands to help. Once most of the damage was undone, her family dispersed, Keisha taking the stairs two at a time to be the first in the shower. Second and third place were okay too. Any later always ended in cold water.

Keisha was wrapped in a towel and standing in her closet when she realized that she couldn’t get dressed without knowing her plans. So she sat on the bed and reached for the cordless phone on her desk. Silvia’s number was taped to the surface. She didn’t know a thing about handwriting analysis, but she’d stared at the excruciatingly careful numbers and letters while wondering about the wild spirit that must be locked up inside.

Keisha dialed her number and pressed the phone to her ear. She barely heard a ring before someone answered.

“Hello?” Silvia said, sounding just as rigid as her handwriting.

Which was funny, because Keisha felt herself relax. All she’d worried about was getting ahold of her. “Hey,” she said easily, not even bothering to introduce herself. “What are you up to?”

“Honestly?” Silvia replied with a mad chuckle. “I was trying to work up the nerve to call you.”

“Am I that scary?”

“No, but last time was terrible. It was nice talking toyou. That was great until—”

“Hugo threw a tantrum when you wouldn’t pay attention to him and Little Bee kept asking to borrow things from me.”

“Did you ever find out why?”

“Yes. She was building a cave of wonders. Which turned out to be a pillow fort full of junk that she’d stolen from the rest of us.”

“We’ve really got to get her and Hugo in the same room,” Silvia said with a titter, “to see if they cancel each other out.”

“It’ll be double trouble, believe me.” Keisha paused to listen. “Things sound quieter today.”

“That’s why I wanted to call,” Silvia said. “My parents took Hugo to the library.”

“For one of their Story Time Sundays?” Keisha asked. “I used to love those.” The library offered arts and crafts activities as well, which used to blow her mind when she was little, even if it was simply tracing her hand to make a turkey or cutting out folded-up snowflakes.