Page 155 of Pride High 2: Orange

Anthony watched him squirm before going in for the kill. “Diego blamed Omar for starting the fire. His parents still think he did it. Iknowit wasn’t him. I was there. Omar was with me when we first noticed the flames. He couldn’t have done it. And it sure as hell wasn’t me.”

Ricky felt powerless in the face of so much mounting evidence. The only defense he could come up with was, “I really like him.”

“I get it,” Anthony said with a sympathetic expression. “Diego and Omar were always like brothers. They have a lot in common. It’s not hard for me to imagine how someone could fall in love with him. Is that what this is?”

“Maybe,” Ricky said. “I want it to be.”

Anthony exhaled. “Then for your sake, I hope I’m wrong. Have you asked him what really happened?”

“I’ve tried,” Ricky said. “Diego never wants to talk about it.”

“Almost like there’s something to hide.” Anthony sighed. “You’re right that he used to be my best friend. That’s part of what made it the worst summer ever. Not going on that trip, not being able to see each other, and there only being two of us left at the end of it all, because the Diego we knew wasn’t there anymore. If you can find him again…”

They picked at what remained of the pizza, but neither of them seemed hungry anymore. Ricky wished Omar and Diego were sitting with them now. He was sure if they all got together and talked, they could finally set the past behind them. He would love that. Especially if he actually started dating Diego. Having to keep his boyfriend separate from the rest of his friends would tear him in two.

“Speaking of that article you wrote,” Anthony said suddenly, “do you regret publishing it in the school paper?”

“Nope,” Ricky said instantly. “People like Graham can make fun of me all they want. I don’t care as long as it helps someone.”

“My reasons aren’t quite that noble,” Anthony said, “but I’m thinking of writing one too. About being gay. I want to tell people who I am on my own terms. I don’t like them finding out through gossip, as if I’m ashamed.”

“Me neither,” Ricky said. “I’m just not ready yet.”

“That’s fine,” Anthony said. “No judgement here. But I could use your advice.”

“Me?” Ricky asked in disbelief. “Why? You’re a great writer! I always like your articles. And your reviews!”

“Thanks,” Anthony said, “but your article was personal in a way that I envy. I’m used to hiding how I feel. Whenever I try writing about something personal, it comes out stilted.”

“Oh, that’s easy. Just pretend you’re writing a letter to someone you’re super close to.”

“Is that what you did?”

Ricky hesitated. “Sort of. I actually wrote it to me. Like, I was thinking of what I’d want to tell myself back when I was still suicidal. What I needed to know so I wouldn’t go through with it. I’m not sure that would work in your situation.”

“No, but it’s good advice,” Anthony said. “I want people to understand what it’s like to be gay. So I’ll choose someone who doesn’t and write to them.”

Ricky smiled. “It’s going to be Omar, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Anthony laughed at himself. “I was already thinking of him.”

“I know the feeling,” Ricky said. “Some guys get into your head and refuse to leave.”

“Not that we ever try kicking them out.”

“So true.”

They smiled at each other, although Ricky’s grin turned into a grimace when he heard a voice directly behind him.

“Hey, dorks.”

Anthony’s smile remained. “Don’t worry,” he said while leaning forward. “I’m related to this bully.”

“What did you call me?” Mike said as he walked around the table.

“I was comparing you to a bull,” Anthony said quickly. “Strong and noble and… Not the hair! Arrrrgh!”

Ricky watched Mike give him a playful noogie. Anthony’s older brother really was big like a bull, reminding him of a certain someone. He imagined them all sitting at the same table. Diego, Omar, and Anthony, reunited after so many years apart. Ricky wanted to see that. Enough that he already knew he would do anything to make it happen.