Page 171 of Pride High 2: Orange

The camera shook before the footage ended. Hissing static filled the screen. Then it changed to a commercial for Bubbl-Eez Bubble Gum.

“That’s it?” Diego demanded.

“I guess so,” Omar said while fast forwarding through an old episode ofThunderCats.

“Well I obviously didn’t do it,” Diego grumbled.

Anthony turned around in his seat. “You were flicking a lighterright beforeOmar’s parents got home.”

Diego bristled from next to Ricky. “And what were you guys doing? Sticking a fuse in a jar of napalm, that’s what!”

“I remember putting the lid on it,” Anthony said as he stood. “Oxygen starves fire so—”

“Not if it’s burning and creates enough pressure to make the glass break,” Diego said, taking a step forward.

Anthony scrunched up his face. “Oh so you’re a chemist all of the sudden?”

“Guys,” Ricky said, concerned that it was getting heated.

The phone began to ring, adding to the noise and chaos.

“What makesyouan expert?” Diego growled.

“Gee, I don’t know,” Anthony replied. “Maybe the fact that I actually made it to sophomore year and have taken chemistry.”

“Well excuse me, Mr. Wizard,” Diego said with a sneer. “I almost forgot what a fucking know-it-all you are!”

“GUYS!” Omar shouted from the other side of the room. He was standing there with the phone pressed against his ear. “Shut up! This is important!”

Anthony and Diego glowered at each other while Ricky—as casually as possible—stood between them to prevent a fist fight.

“Okay,” Omar said into the phone. “He broke what? Oh. Do you mean that in the good luck sort of way or— No, of course not. Sorry. Yeah. Tell me everything.”

“I guess that’s it,” Diego said, yanking on the lapels of his leather jacket. “Judge Anthony has declared me guilty once again. There’s no point in sticking around. Come on.”

He left the room in a huff.

Ricky turned to Anthony. “Couldn’t you have been nice?”

“Me?” Anthony said in disbelief. “What about—”

“Stop,” Ricky said gently. He raised his hands when Anthony’s mouth opened anyway. “Remember when we were at each other’s throats last year? When all we really needed to do was talk?”

Anthony’s eyes went wide. Then he sighed. “Shit.”

“You used to like each other. Didn’t you? It sure seemed like it in all those videos.” Ricky shook his head. “He needed you. And I think he still does. I’ll see you later.”

He left the room with sorrow in his heart. Ricky only had himself to blame. He’d insisted on getting everyone together like this. And yet he didn’t regret it. He wished things had turned out differently, but at least Diego wouldn’t be alone this time. Ricky would be there for him. No matter what.

CHAPTER 38

January 24th, 1993

Omar walked into his private bathroom, the phone still pressed against his ear so he could hear Silvia better.

“I thought I could get him out on my own,” she was saying, “but there are so many people around, which is what I wanted but—”

“Hold up,” Omar interrupted. “A broken leg isn’t that serious. Shouldn’t they release him soon?”