Page 182 of Pride High 2: Orange

The creases on Ricky’s forehead deepened as he appeared to think it over. “I’d rather know the truth. If I was him.”

Silvia loved Omar.Thatwas the truth. Yes, she had made a mistake and given into temptation, but she had needed to know. Now she did, and it changed nothing. Her feelings for Omar hadn’t evaporated. She still cared about him. Deeply.

Silvia felt her panic rising as she pictured how it would all play out. Omar would feel betrayed, and rightly so. A messy breakup would follow, which was the last thing she needed. Especially so soon after everything had settled down. She trusted him not to tell anyone the truth about her parents, but of course she would probably worry about it anyway. And she wouldn’t feel free to date Keisha afterward. Not if Silvia wanted to fly under the radar. Which she didn’t give a damn about compared to the effect this would have on Omar. She could imagine the heartbreak of seeing him cry, and how he wouldn’t let himself feel as much with the next girl in case he got hurt again. All because some idealistic kid felt he had a moral obligation to report a mistake. Silvia didn’t live in a black and white world. She knew that lies could be necessary—beneficial, even—in the same way that the truth sometimes did more harm than good.

A calm settled over her as she realized what she had to do.

“You can’t tell him,” Silvia said, no longer pleading. “And you won’t.”

“Yes I will!” Ricky said incredulously.

“No, you won’t. Because you owe me. I’m the one who drove you to the urgent care center.” Silvia could see from his reaction that it confirmed his suspicions. She didn’t need to convince him. “I saved your life, Ricky. All I want in return is your silence.”

He started to shake his head in response.

“I saved yourlife,” she reiterated. “You wouldn’t be standing here now if not for me. So keep your mouth shut.”

It was a fucked-up kind of blackmail, but she no longer cared. She wasn’t going to let him devastate Omar and ruin what they had together over such a tiny indiscretion. Even though it had felt huge in the moment.

Ricky’s face was burning as he glowered at her. But in the end he nodded. Then he turned to walk away.

“I really do love him,” Silvia said as he went. “No matter what you think.”

Ricky didn’t respond. He kept tromping down the sidewalk. Silvia turned her attention toward the store and sighed. Her work wasn’t done yet. She had one more fish to fry. Part of her felt bad for what she was about to do, but she was sick of the constant crippling fear. Protecting the people she loved was no longer enough. Silvia would have to fight for them, even if that meant waging a war within herself.

Keisha was still standing behind the counter. “Wanna trade jobs?” she asked playfully. “This is an easy gig. I bet you never have to haul buckets of manure around.”

Silvia didn’t smile or laugh. She kept her expression neutral as she approached.

Keisha noticed. “Everything okay?”

“I took care of it,” Silvia replied.

Keisha’s nod was slow. “I hope I didn’t cause any trouble for you.”

She shook her head. “Everything is fine.”

“Just fine, huh?” Keisha asked dubiously.

Silvia took a deep breath. One more little lie to cover the cracks that had appeared in her life. “I’m really sorry, but I didn’t feel anything.”

This clearly wasn’t the response that Keisha had been expecting. She seemed at a loss for words, the surprise on her face shifting to confusion. “Nothing at all?”

“I admire you,” Silvia said, wanting to at least express that much. “And I like you. But I don’t see us being more than friends. Maybe if I was into girls…”

“But you’re not,” Keisha said with a sigh.

“That’s right,” Silvia lied yet again, but it was necessary to spare her feelings and make this a clean break. “I’m sorry.” And she truly was.

Keisha stared at her a moment longer. Then she seemed to decompress. “Hey, I’m the one who came knocking. I appreciate you trying to answer.”

Silvia swallowed. “I only wish it could have been what you were hoping for.”

The truth at last. Not that it seemed to register with Keisha, who walked around the counter.

“Well, this is awkward,” she was saying. “Then again, I got to kiss a beautiful straight girl, so not the worst moment of my life.” Keisha tilted her head. “I really do like you. As a person. I hope I haven’t made it impossible for us to be friends.”

Silvia felt a surge of guilt. She was so nice! “I want that too. And now I don’t have a reason to keep avoiding you. So yes, please, let’s be friends.”