Page 26 of Pride High 2: Orange

Ricky sat next to him without making nearly as much noise and said, “Who’s ready for it?”

“Um, literally everyone here?” Dave said with an eyeroll.

“And there’s power in numbers,” Omar replied. “So let’s skip the rest of the day. We won’t get in trouble if all of us do it.”

“I don’t think it works that way,” Dave countered.

“It would if there were enough of us. Like the entire table. We’ll tell Principal Preckwinkle that it fell through a dimensional portal or some shit. We’ll take the damn thing with us when we go. If there’s like—” He peered farther down the bench. “—twenty of us telling the same story, she’ll have to believe us!”

“It might be worth a shot,” David said to his best friend, who shared a way-too similar name and appearance.

“Only if you’re crazy,” Dave retorted. “We’re two weeks away from Christmas break. I don’t want to be grounded during it.”

“Then we won’t show up again until next year,” Omar said. “Even better.”

Ricky nodded eagerly. “I’ve heard it can take weeks and weeks to escape dimensional portals.”

“There ya go!” Omar beamed proudly.

“Where would we stay?” Cameron asked. “Our parents will notice if we’re all at home.”

“Details,” Omar said dismissively.

“And will Silvia be joining us?” Anthony asked.

“Importantdetails,” Omar said, grudgingly this time. “I’ll get back to you.”

“Lucky bastard,” Dave said with a sigh. “I don’t suppose Whitney has mentioned me recently. Anyone?”

They all shrugged or shook their heads.

“Fine by me,” Dave said, about to pop a Cheeto in his mouth before he lowered it again. “It sucks to have a girlfriend around the holidays anyway. What are you getting yours?”

This was directed at Omar, who looked stricken. “Shit. Uhh…”

“Oak Park Mall?” Anthony suggested, facing a similar conundrum.

“After school,” Omar said with a nod. “Who wants to give us a ride?”

They both looked to Cameron, who sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Sweet!” Omar glanced around. “Who’s coming with?”

“We have plans,” Dave said.

“We’re preparing for the Winter Solstice,” David explained. “Harvesting positive energy for the new year. Mostly so we can use it to meet girls.”

“Shut up!” Dave hissed.

“What?” David asked. “I can already feel it working. My mustache is growing in thicker. That has to be the power of affirmation.”

“Real cool, guys,” Omar said, turning his head away so he could mouth,“What the fuck?”at Anthony.

“Are you coming with us?” Cameron asked while looking across the table.

Ricky shook his head. “I have plans tonight.”

“Oh yeah?” Omar asked. “What could be better than hanging with us? Or doing Wiggy magic with the D-boys?”