Page 28 of Pride High 2: Orange

“How much do those cost?”

“For a good one?” Cameron shrugged. “Around two hundred dollars.”

Damn it! Anthony wondered what he could sell to make that much money. His stereo system, which would just about kill him to part with, so he tried again. “Anything smaller?”

Cameron looked over at him and smiled. “Are you fishing for ideas?”

“Without any bait,” Anthony admitted. “I’m on a very limited budget.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cameron said. “I’ve got everything I ever wanted.” He let their hands bump together, seemingly by accident, in case there were any witnesses. Their classrooms were just ahead, but he moved toward one side of the hall, stopping next to some lockers. “Actually, there is one thing.”

“Name it!” Anthony said, already relieved.

“My dad is out of town this weekend. Would you like to meet my mom on Sunday? We can have brunch together, my treat. Actually, she’ll probably insist on paying. But if she doesn’t…”

Anthony’s shoulders slumped. “That’s not a Christmas present.”

“It would be to me,” Cameron replied.

“I absolutely want to meet your mom,” Anthony told him. “So yes. But I also want to give you an actual gift. There has to be something that isn’t expensive.”

“There is,” Cameron said with a blush and an awkward smile, “but only when you’re ready.”

Anthony stared. Then he laughed. “I ambeyondready for that!” And they had come close to making it happen, but things kept getting in the way. They needed somewhere private where they wouldn’t be interrupted. If he could find such a place, that would be one hell of a Christmas present. For them both. “You know what? Let me see what I can do.”

“In what way?” Cameron asked.

Anthony shrugged coyly. “Wait and see.”

“Am I supposed to give you something too?” Cameron asked.

“You better!” Anthony said with a laugh.

Cameron looked confused. In a low whisper, he asked, “Are we still talking about sex?”

Anthony feigned offense. “Oh my god, no! I was thinking of dance lessons. What wereyouthinking about?”

“Dancing,” Cameron said hurriedly. “Of a sort. Listen, if you’re planning something, I have to know.”

“That’s not how Christmas works,” Anthony said. “We better get to class.”

In truth, he didn’t have a plan. Yet. But hewashighly motivated to come up with one!

CHAPTER 7

December 4th, 1992

Ricky wasn’t sure where he was supposed to meet Diego after school. He waited in view of the grove, where Anthony had tried to rescue him. That’s how he framed it now, although they had never discussed the incident. Ricky hadn’t wanted to explain what his intent had been. He wasn’t ashamed about lusting after Diego, because he was objectively hot, regardless of any reservations people had about his personality. The details were a little embarrassing though. Like how Ricky had thought Diego was going to stop picking on him in exchange for a blow job. The idea of which still turned him on. Nobody needed to know about that.

He was beginning to wish he hadn’t mentioned his plans with Diego at all, because the reaction of his friends had been universal: This was a mistake. The people who had known Diego for years and years were telling Ricky to stay away. What would Dr. Sharma expect him to do in this situation? Think about it carefully, most likely. And he had! Ever since they had gotten interrupted, and especially after Diego reacted so strongly when learning that Ricky had tried to take his own life.

Don’t ever do that again or I’ll fucking lose it!

That had been… sweet? Ricky still wasn’t sure what to make of it. Which is exactly why he was standing outside the school while searching the parking lot.

“This way,” a rumbling voice said just as a strong hand landed on his shoulder.

“Ghaaah!” Ricky exclaimed gracefully.