Page 110 of Pride High 3: Yellow

Diego was stiff and unyielding in her arms, but that was okay. He had to leave afterwards, since he was being called to rehearsals. Mindy was straightening the wardrobe racks and returning fallen clothing to hangers when Faith marched over.

“Is he your boyfriend?” she asked while helping herself to a different leather jacket.

“What are you doing?” Mindy demanded.

“Ms. Deville wanted to know why I’m not in costume,” Faith said. “So is he?”

“No,” Mindy replied.

As casually as someone commenting on the weather, Faith said, “You’re both going to be sorry,” before walking away.

Mindy watched her go, and with an exasperated sigh, murmured under her breath, “I already am.”

— — —

Diego parked on Ricky’s street. Then he considered the house, remembering how safe he had felt there over the holidays and while hanging out with Ricky in his room. Until the universe decided that Diego didn’t deserve such things. Taking his dad away and driving his mom nuts wasn’t punishment enough apparently. He had been cast out of the Garden of Eden yet again.

Most people experienced an existential crisis when doubting the existence of God, but for him, the world made a lot more sense. Otherwise, anyone paying attention had to wonder why he would allow so many travesties. Diego had heard all the freewill bullshit, but that was like watching your children mutilate each other with knives and not lifting a finger to intervene. For their personal growth. God was either powerless or an asshole. If he existed, it had to be one or the other.

He continued to eye the house warily, bracing himself for more righteous judgement. Although he only had Ricky’s parents to contend with and not a heartless divine being. Diego honestly wasn’t sure which he’d prefer as he grabbed the present off the passenger-side seat and walked up the path. He rapped his knuckles against the door and turned around, watching his car while wishing he could escape in it with Ricky. The door behind him creaked open.

“Diego!”

His boyfriend’s voice came as a tremendous relief. He turned around just in time for Ricky to slam into him.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” he was saying. “Hey, is that for me?”

“Yeah,” Diego said, shrugging Ricky off before handing the box to him.

“Wow, where did you find solid-black wrapping paper?Anda matching bow?”

Diego smirked. “When I described what I wanted, the lady who wrapped it thought you were turning forty.”

“It looks cool,” Ricky said, turning the box over a few times before shaking it.

Diego nodded at the gift. “Go ahead. Open it.”

“No way! I have to blow out my candles first.”

Diego shook his head, not understanding. “Who cares?”

Ricky smiled up at him. “I do.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Come inside.” Ricky grabbed his hand and pulled. “Everyone is here already.”

Diego tensed. He knew who was on the guest list and didn’t like most of them.

“Don’t be nervous,” Ricky said, reading his face. “Just be yourself.”

“People only say that when they want you to act different than how you would naturally.”

“Or when they want you to know that you’re accepted,” Ricky said, tugging again. “Come on!”

Diego allowed himself to be led inside. Music was playing in the living room, where everyone was gathered. Anthony saw him and averted his gaze. Omar gave an upward nod that wasn’t returned. Dave and David were sitting on the carpet, game controllers in hand as they rocked left and right in front of the television. Cameron was the only one who stood and walked over.

“Hey!” he said.