Page 148 of Pride High 2: Orange

She was still in shock. “Why would the police do that to you?”

“I don’t know,” Diego replied. “I must have one of those faces.”

“There had to be a reason,” she said.

He shrugged. “Maybe. I can’t seem to remember.”

“Tell me!”

He glanced over at her again. “You’re starting to remind me of Ricky. All he does is ask questions.”

“Does he ever get answers?”

Diego seemed to think about it. “Yeah. Sometimes.”

Yup. No doubt about it. They were an item. She thought it was sweet, although she was starting to worry about just how many gay guys there were in town. Maybe there was something in the water. If so, she hoped Troy drank his fill, because she didn’t like the idea of him going on a date with another girl. Or anyone else really.

“Are you going to audition for the next play?” Mindy asked.

Diego scoffed at the idea.

“I mean it!” she said. “You were great. The theater group is still talking about it. We’re doingWest Side Storynext.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s about two rival gangs in the fifties. You’ve already got the look. And the jacket.”

“Would you need to do my makeup again?” Diego asked.

“Probably not,” she said.

“Then what would be the point?” he replied.

That was flattering. “Okay, maybe a little powder and base. And some eyeliner.”

He looked at her like she was crazy. “Would I be playing a girl or something?”

“No!” she said with a laugh. “All actors wear makeup. Even the tough guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger. You simply wouldn’t need a costume like before. Except for your clothes.”

“I’d definitely want to wear clothes on stage,” Diego said with a straight face.

“You should audition,” Mindy pressed. “I’ll let you know when they open.”

“No promises,” Diego said. “Which house is yours?”

She was surprised they were already on her street. “That one,” she said, pointing through the windshield.

He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park, his face cast in shadow as it turned toward her. “Whoever this guy is, he’ll regret blowing his chance. He could have been your prince.”

“I’m not a princess,” she said with an embarrassed laugh.

“Yeah you are,” Diego said. “Even if you don’t realize it. And I don’t mean that in a shitty way either, because princesses grow up to become queens, and queens are fucking powerful. Remember that.”

Mindy stared at him a second. Then she hugged his arm. “Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”

Diego nodded. “See ya around.”

“Yeah. See ya.” Mindy smiled at him and got out of the car.