Page 14 of Pride High 2: Orange

She ate another bite first. Then she leaned across the table so they could kiss, but it was playful rather than passionate. Feeling self-conscious, she checked the corner of her eye and caught Anthony watching them again. This time he didn’t avert his gaze, even when she turned her head toward him. He smiled at Silvia in a way that seemed more resigned than happy. Anthony often had an edge of sadness to him. Although not so much when they were alone and listening to music at the record store. He seemed perfectly happy then. Unless Omar was at the store too and attempting to get affectionate with her. That was when she would see the same sorrowful expression. Which made Silvia wonder if Anthony had feelings for her, and not for the first time. She had straight-up asked him before, and he had denied it. While blushing. Maybe he hadn’t felt free to admit the truth. Shewasdating his best friend, after all.

Silvia held up a bite in offering, despite Omar’s wishes. Anthony shook his head, took a deep breath, and slid out of the booth.

“Hey, everyone,” he said as he stood. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

The others fell silent.

Anthony swallowed before continuing. “I didn’t expect to do this here,” he said, glancing in the direction of the indoor playground, “but I guess I have to start somewhere. And really, most of you know already. Or probably suspect.”

Silvia had no idea what he was building up to, but his face was flushed as he took another deep breath. “I’m gay.”

This was met with silence until Omar said, “Hell yeah you are! And I think it’s awesome.”

“I do too!” Mindy said, clapping gleefully.

Anthony flashed her a grateful smile before checking on Silvia, but she was too stunned to react. She kept waiting for some sign that this was a joke, but the vulnerability on Anthony’s face was genuine. He turned toward the booth, as if seeking the reaction of the people sitting there.

“You know I’m cool with it!” Ricky said.

Anthony didn’t reply. He seemed to be waiting for something. What was going on? She noticed how red Cameron’s face had become. He seemed to struggle within himself before he finally stood up, walked over to Anthony, and took his hand. And when he did…

Silvia felt electricity shoot through her. She stared at their clutching hands as her pulse began to race.

Cameron cleared his throat. “I’ve got something to say too. I’m madly in love. With this guy right here.”

Anthony seemed to relax. He turned toward her again. This time she managed a supportive smile. That was only on the surface. Her insides were going crazy. Silvia couldn’t figure out why unless… What if she had gotten it backwards? Maybeshehad feelings forhim.

CHAPTER 4

November 26th, 1992

“How does it feel?” Ricky asked as soon as he was alone in the car with Anthony and Cameron. They had just dropped off Omar and were driving toward his own house, where he would no doubt get in trouble. Rather than focus on that, he was eager to talk openly.

“To come out?” Cameron asked, looking at him in the rearview mirror.

Ricky would have gladly continued sitting between him and Anthony up front, but they’d made him get in back on the previous stop. That made sense, but if he was Anthony, Ricky would’ve taken advantage of the extra space by scooting over and cuddling up to Cameron. “Yeah. To your friends especially. I’ve only told my parents.” Although hehadadmitted the truth to Diego. If he counted as a friend.

“It’s a huge relief,” Anthony said. “You never know how people are going to react.”

“Mindy was a sure thing,” Cameron said, “and Omar already knew.”

“Yeah, but I’ve known them forever. Silvia was the real test. We haven’t been friends long.” Anthony exhaled. “I figure that’s what it’ll be like at school. Even the people I get along with might have religious reasons for not liking me. I’ve never talked to Silvia about that sort of thing. What if she’s a devout Catholic? It would have hurt if she didn’t want to stay friends.”

“I’m glad you went first,” Ricky admitted. “I totally would have come out after you guys, except I get enough stares lately.”

“You’re staying in the closet?” Cameron asked.

Ricky nodded. “For now. I’d rather let everyone get to know me better before they find out. That, and I’m nervous about an article Mr. Finnegan might publish in the school newspaper. He wanted me to write about my suicide attempt.”

“That’s a great idea!” Cameron replied.

“Yeah,” Anthony said with humor in his voice. “Just let me come out first. That way people will forget all about me when they see your article.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Ricky said with a grin. “I’ll distract them with my suicide attempt, and you’ll make it passé for anyone to come out after you. Including me.”

“You could write your own article,” Cameron said, glancing over at his boyfriend.

“About us, or about me?” Anthony shot back.