Page 119 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“I remember watching that together,” Mr. Finnegan said. “It reawakened my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. I had avoided that career path, fearing the same sort of discrimination, but seeing brave queer people fight against such bigotry—even if they didn’t win their cases—gave me courage.” He took a deep breath. “You might wonder, having heard these stories, why I keep my personal life a secret. I’ve always believed that change comes from the inside. I imagined that I would be in a position to advocate for queer students, but how the situation with your article played out…” Mr. Finnegan clenched his jaw and shook his head. “I don’t know anymore.”

“Youdidhelp me,” Anthony said. “A lot of other teachers would have shot down the idea, but you assured me that what I wrote had value, even after it was rejected.”

“Not rejected,” Mr. Finnegan said. “Censored.”

“Either way, I didn’t give up because of you. Your encouragement meant a lot to me. Even when I thought you were an open-minded straight guy. But now that I know the truth…” Anthony swallowed against rising emotion. “I’ve needed this,” he said, gesturing at them. “To see that two guys can get married and have a happy life together. I mean, we dreamed about finding that for ourselves.…”

“But this is different,” Cameron said, nodding his agreement. “I knew that you had a husband, but actually getting to see you guys together is beautiful.”

“Thank you!” Charles said, playfully fluffing one of his tresses before he grew more serious. “As odd as it might sound, I’ve been just as inspired when witnessing your love, which is made even more courageous by your young age.”

“Maybe weshouldcome out then,” Mr. Finnegan said. “If we can be more of an inspiration this way.”

“And let that terrible woman drive you out of the school?” Charles said aghast. “What would happen when the next Anthony came along and wasn’t given any support at all, no matter how subtle?”

Mr. Finnegan’s brow creased in thought. “I feel as though I owe it to those other teachers.”

“None of whom put themselves willingly on the sacrificial altar. They wanted to teach, first and foremost. That’s your greatest passion, darling. If you ever tire of it, then by all means, consider a political career. But for now, you’re most needed exactly where you are.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Finnegan said, placing his hand over his husband’s. “But you’re wrong.Youare my greatest passion.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Charles said before smooching him on the cheek.

“Can we do this more often?” Cameron asked with a sniffle. “I really like it.”

Charles smiled at the suggestion.

Mr. Finnegan heaved a heavy sigh. “We need to make a few decisions in that regard.”

They had to pause when the server returned to take their food orders. Anthony hadn’t so much as glanced at the menu, and neither had Cameron, so Charles suggested they order a variety of dishes for them all to share.

“I’m in no position to make demands,” Mr. Finnegan said when they were alone again. “I can only ask you to respect my reasons for keeping my personal and private lives separate. If it was up to me, you would never breathe a word of this to anyone else, especially at school. Secrets, once unleashed, tend to outpace plainly stated facts.”

“Can you teach me to talk like you?” Anthony replied.

“Just keep your nose stuck in a book all day long,” Charles quipped. “That’s what he does.”

“I can draw up a list of recommendations,” Mr. Finnegan said, clearly awaiting an answer of some sort, which Anthony had intentionally avoided giving.

“I won’t tell anyone,” Cameron said.

Anthony didn’t care for secrets. He’d regretted keeping them at the start of the school year, and more recently witnessed what they had done to Omar, who was heartbroken despite still being with Silvia. Regardless, he didn’t want to see Mr. Finnegan get fired. Principal Preckwinkle would surely delight in that. “I won’t tell anyone either.”

“The decision is in your hands,” Mr. Finnegan said. “There can be no pressure from our side. We hold no sway over you.”

“I think they get it,” Charles stage-whispered. Then he clasped his hands together in excitement. “Now that business has concluded, let’s acknowledge howadorableAnthony looks with his pink hair.”

“Oh thanks,” he said, running a hand through it. “My mom helped me. She’s a hairstylist, and the best part is that they actually make a professional dye that’s pink, so this will last way longer than the usual stuff.”

Cameron pinched his thumb and index finger together. “I wasthis closeto getting to see him as a blond. Although I agree. He is adorable.”

“You could always borrow one of my wigs,” Charles said. “I know a certain someone who also prefers blonds.”

“Really?” Anthony asked with a tingle of excitement.

“Guilty as charged,” Mr. Finnegan said, misunderstanding who the question was directed at.

Charles seemed to understand though. He winked at Anthony before the conversation moved on. They laughed and chatted through the meal, even ordering dessert despite already being full. Cameron tried to pay, which was sweet, but Mr. Finnegan insisted.