Page 33 of Pride High 2: Orange

“Cool,” Diego said, finishing off his beer. He seemed to sway a little on the way out the door.

“I’ll walk,” Ricky said. “My house isn’t far. You could come with me. My parents will give you a ride home.”

“You’re funny,” Diego said, leaning against his car. “I can get you home.”

"That's okay. Are you sure you can drive?”

“Nope. I’ll leave it to Frankenstein.” Diego pinched his nose, like he was trying to do an imitation of KITT, even though he forgot the British accent. “Close your eyes, Michael. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

Ricky didn’t find the idea amusing. “Please be careful. Seriously!” he added when Diego began to laugh.

“I like you,” he said, wagging a finger at Ricky. “Let’s do it again sometime.”

“Okay.” Ricky stood back and watched him reverse out of the parking spot. Diego didn’t tear down the street, maybe because this one was paved with bricks. Although when he began to walk down the sidewalk, Ricky did hear the distant squealing of tires. But no crashing sound afterwards, which meant that Diego was probably okay.

He let his worries fade as he did a little skip. What a night it had been! He couldn’t stop thinking of how, without any hesitation at all, Diego had touched his fingers. And he had smelled so good when leaning close. Sure, he was a drug dealer and might be a teenage alcoholic, but he was also a gentleman. At least he had paid for dinner and everything. Not bad for a first date. Of sorts. Ricky was lost in the haze of his fantasies when he noticed someone locking up one of the stores ahead. It was Omar’s girlfriend, Silvia!

He put on a confused expression when walking up to her. When she noticed his approach and turned toward him, he said, “Wait a minute… Don’t I know you from somewhere? Yeah! I recognize you now!”

“You do?” Silvia said, sounding oddly panicked.

“Yup! Aren’t you the future Mrs. Jafari?”

Silvia stared for a moment. Then she managed a nervous sort of titter. “He hasn’t proposed yet. And considering that we haven’t known each other that long…”

“Oh right,” Ricky said, shaking his head. “Ever since I built my time machine, I get the order of things mixed up.”

She blinked a few times before shaking her head. “Sorry. It’s been a long day. I’m a zombie.”

“You work here, huh?” Ricky asked. “I’ve never been inside.”

“Stop by anytime,” Silvia said. “Omar is usually here. Anthony too.” She looked him over. “Are you doing okay, Ricky?”

He knew what she was really asking.You’re not having suicidal thoughts anymore, are you?“I’m super happy,” he assured her. “Thanks.”

“For what?” she said, sounding defensive.

“It’s nice of you to ask, that’s all.”

“Oh.” Silvia seemed to relax. “I’m glad you’re okay. I better get home now.”

“Crap!” Ricky said, remembering that his parents still didn’t know where he was. “Me too! I don’t suppose you can give me a ride?”

She gestured to a pink ten-speed bike. “You’d have to sit on the handlebars.”

Ricky thought about it. He really did, because he could imagine his mother pacing the front room, worried out of her mind. “Actually, I think I’ll go for a jog.”

Then he took off running, wondering how many seconds he had left before he got grounded for life.

CHAPTER 8

December 5th, 1992

Silvia was curled up on the couch in Mindy’s living room, snacking on Topsy’s popcorn while they watchedPretty in Pink.The movie starred Molly Ringwald and was a little too relatable. Her character worked at a record store and was dating a guy from a rich family. Although there was a big difference from her own life: In the story, Molly Ringwald’s best friend had a crush on her instead of the other way around. He was an odd sort of guy. Not exactly like Anthony, but not so different either. Silvia couldn’t stop thinking of him while watching the movie, or during the days leading up to this sleepover, because she needed to be sure of her feelings. Which was a joke, considering how rarely she paid attention to them normally.

“Pee break!” Mindy said, lifting the remote to pause the VCR. Her timing was unnerving.

The freeze frame was of Molly Ringwald standing between her two love interests. Silvia could already guess how the story would end. It was her own life that perplexed her. She really did like Omar. So why the hell did she keep thinking of Anthony’s lips? A fistful of caramel popcorn didn’t help her find the answer. She was reaching for the cinnamon popcorn next when Mindy reentered the room.